Aftercare

You will need:

Antibacterial hand soap (make sure it is a pump soap, not a bar)- I recommend Dial gold

Ointment and/or lotion- I recommend Aquaphor and/or unscented Lubriderm in a tube or pump container

Bandage instructions:

Keep tattoo covered for at least two hours.

If you have saran wrap or a soaker pad on, remove it after the two hours and begin aftercare routine.

If you have tegaderm (the clear sticky bandage) leave that on for 2-4 days. You will see ink/blood/plasma underneath the bandage; this is totally normal. If any of it leaks outside of the bandage, however, that means that bacteria can get in and you should remove it ASAP. You can also remove it if it gets uncomfortable. You can shower with it on but don’t submerge it.

To remove the tegaderm- get in the shower and do all of your other shower things first. Use a little bit of antibacterial soap and warm water to work up a corner of the bandage then peel off SLOWLY. Pull upward and diagonal, use the soap to help loosen the bandage as well

Once the bandage is removed, do not cover the tattoo again

Aftercare

Wash the tattoo with warm soapy water until it feels like any extra plasma, ink, etc is gone. Don’t scrub. Air dry as much as possible then pat dry with a paper towel. Use a VERY SMALL amount of ointment/lotion (should be barely shiny). Do this twice a day, don’t over saturate with lotion- the area needs to be able to breathe.

If you notice skin discoloration around the bandage, that is fine. Some of my clients with darker skin report a ring of discoloration from where the bandage was, you can just lotion that area and it will go away eventually.

For two weeks, no soaking the area (pools, hot tubs, etc), avoid excessive sweating (hot yoga, intense workouts etc), keep the tattoo out of the sun, and wear clothing that is clean and loose.

Some scabbing is normal; don’t pick at it. In general, aftercare is more about what you DON’T do to a tattoo- just make sure you’re keeping it clean and not irritating the skin.

Beyond the two week period

Anything that’s good for your skin is generally good for a tattoo. You can increase the longevity of the piece by using lotion and sunscreen. I don’t necessarily recommend most of the products that are marketed “for tattoos”- regular lotion works great and I’ve used it for years.

I offer a free touch up within the first six months of getting the tattoo. Wait at least 2-3 weeks before evaluating since tattoos can sometimes look a little rough during the healing period

If you have any urgent questions shoot me a text at 412-436-9461