Traditional Bandage Aftercare
1. Remove bandage wrap within 1-2 hours. Do not apply another bandage.
2. Wash tattoo with lukewarm water and an unscented antibacterial soap. Lightly pat tattoo dry with a paper towel.
3. Allow to air dry. As it air dries, watch for any plasma (white blood cells) or bleeding that oozes to the skin's surface. We DO NOT want any plasma to clot and dry on the tattoo.
4. Use a paper towel moistened with water to dab any plasma that you do see. Flow with a dry paper towel to fully pat dry.
5. For the first 24-48 hours, the skin pores are open wide due to the tattoo procedure and your skin feels burned. It is NOT recommended to use any lotion or aftercare product during the first 48 hours.
6. Follow steps 2 & 3 to wash your tattoo 3-5 times a day. When you wake up, have lunch, get home from work, and before bed are all great times to wash your tattoo.
7. At 48 hours, wash, pat dry, air dry, and apply a light layer of fragrance-free lotion, such as Lubriderm, Curel, Aveeno, Eucerin, or other high-quality brands. Apply only 1-2 times a day and only after washing and drying properly. Never put a new layer of lotion over an existing layer of lotion. Always wash first!
Saniderm Transparent Adhesive Bandage Aftercare
Once your artist has applied the Saniderm bandage, leave it on for 1 to 3 days. Do not lift an edge until you are ready to remove the Saniderm, as gaps in the seal will let in contaminants. The wrap will possibly fill with fluid, a mixture of plasma, pigment, and blood. This is normal and may be reabsorbed by your body. It can make your tattoo look darker, but it will wash clean when the wrap is taken off. The wrap can be removed in the shower by gently pulling away from the skin.
Keep an eye out for leaking. If liquid is leaking from the wrap, remove & replace the dressing, as a leak means bacteria can enter the dressing and infect your tattoo, which is an open wound.
If the Saniderm is removed early & you don't have another, or if it's been 3 days and it's time to remove your Saniderm, just follow traditional bandage aftercare instructions for the remainder of your heal time. (seen above)
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
IF your artist recommends Aquaphor:
1. Wash your hands
2. Pat dry then air dry your tattoo
3. Apply a very thin, sheer layer of Aquaphor
If it looks wet and glossy, you have too much on and it will clog your pores, which doesn't allow the tattoo to breathe, which slows healing. Dab off the excess with a clean paper towel.
Nevers, Don'ts, and Avoids
Never touch a healing tattoo with unwashed hands
Never scratch, pick at, or shave over your tattoo while it's healing
Avoid sweating, tight clothing, & movement that stretches the tattoo
Avoid sunlight while your tattoo is healing
DO NOT apply sunscreen to a healing tattoo
Don't swim, soak, or enter any water except showers for 3 weeks
Don't let pets or children touch your healing tattoo. If they do, wash immediately.
Avoid getting smoke on your healing tattoo. This includes fire pits, BBQs, cannabis, & tobacco.
Don't sleep on dirty bedding or wear dirty clothes while your tattoo heals
Once it's healed, use moisturizing lotion & sunscreen regularly to preserve your tattoo
Please follow these instructions; otherwise, infections and scarring may occur, which will disqualify you from free touch-ups.