After Care Instructions

Standard Method

Remove the bandage after three to four hours. All wounds need to breathe if they are to heal properly.

Wash the tattoo with your hands using a mild antibacterial soap (such as Dial) and warm water. Take care to remove all traces of blood and plasma. Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth during the two week healing period. Pat it dry with a clean, soft cloth or paper towel and let it air dry for about 20 minutes, until it starts to feel like the skin is a little tight and dry. This allows for excess moisture from the swelling under the skin as well as moisture introduced by washing the tattoo to evaporate out. It's very important to let your tattoo "breathe" like this any time you get it wet before it gets into the peeling stage.

Once dry, with clean hands apply a very thin coat of lotion or ointment to the tattoo. We recommend using Aquaphor, A&D, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, unscented Lubriderm, or other tattoo specific products. A little goes a long way and just a small amount will do, and you can pat off excess with a paper towel. There should be just enough to keep the tattoo moist and to keep it from scabbing. Do not re-bandage the tattoo.

Repeat the cycle of washing, drying, and applying ointment to the tattoo about 3-4 times per day for the first week (while the tattoo feels tender.) During the second week, you can reduce to twice a day.

Until your tattoo is healed, absolutely no gyms, pools, hot tubs, beaches, saunas, tanning beds, or any other situation inwhich your tattoo can be exposed to another person's sweat, bodily fluids, or foreign bacteria. Do not let anyone else touch your healing tattoo, and do not submerge it in water for any substantial length of time.

Ointment can be applied whenever the tattoo is feeling stiff or dry but beware of over-moisturizing. Your body will absorb what it needs where it needs. After the first week you can either keep using an ointment or switch to a regular *Unscented* moisturizer such as Eucerin, Lubriderm, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Curel, or Jergens. Apply moisturizer twice a day for the remainder of two weeks. Do not use lotions that contain color or fragrance at all until the healing is complete, usually anywhere from ten days to a month.

You must keep your tattoo moisturized! When the tattoo is kept moist it doesn't have a chance to form a scab but does form a thin membrane to protect the tattoo while it heals. This layer peels off very similar to a sunburn (do not peel your tattoo, you will pull the ink out!), and it is perfectly normal to see small flakes of colored skin falling off during this stage of healing.

You must keep your tattoo clean! However, long showers or baths must be avoided for 2 weeks. Prolonged soaking can and will loosen scabs if any have formed, or will soak through the soft tissue turning it into a soggy mess. Short showers are best, under ten minutes if possible.

Please refrain from scratching or picking at the tattoo. Scrubbing with a washcloth can be very harsh on a tattoo and will cause your colors to fade. Disrupting the tattoo while it's healing can also cause scar tissue. It is normal for the tattoo to become very itchy during the healing time. Just remember not to pick or scratch no matter what!

Remember, the sun is BAD for your tattoo! Whether the tattoo is new or old, if you want it to look nice and heal properly, keep it out of the sun. A sunburn on a new tattoo can cause a lot of problems. It will dry out your tattoo and could cause it to form a horrendous scab resulting in fading before it is even healed. It will also take much longer to heal completely and promotes scarring in a new tattoo. Wait until it is fully healed to go back in the sun or a tanning bed and make sure you put on a high quality sunblock. Never put sunblock on a tattoo that is still healing.

If your tattoo shows signs and symptoms of infection such as fever, excessive swelling, excessive redness, or drainage, contact a medical professional immediately.

Following all of these simple steps will ensure that you end up with the best result with minimal complications and your tattoo will stay looking bright and beautiful for many years to come.

Second Skin Method

This adhesive bandage is specifically designed to allow airflow while protecting your tattoo from bacteria and contaminants, ultimately promoting a faster healing process.

Keep the bandage on for a period of three to five days. There's no need to remove it for cleaning purposes since the tattoo area was thoroughly sanitized before the bandage was applied.

Avoid piercing, cutting, or opening the adhesive bandage to drain any blood or plasma buildup. It's normal for this fluid to appear black or muddy and is crucial for the healing process.

If the adhesive bandage happens to leak, you can patch it using the provided additional adhesive piece or medical tape, but only if you notice the leak immediately. If not, you should remove the bandage and follow traditional healing instructions.

The adhesive bandage can be removed when it's been on for three to five days or when your body has reabsorbed the liquid beneath, leaving a dried layer underneath. If there's still liquid in the bandage by the fifth day, remove it and proceed with the traditional healing process.

If you notice small red dots or a red rash around the adhesive bandage's edges, remove it immediately. Avoid reapplying any bandages during the rest of the healing process and consult your artist for further guidance.

When removing the adhesive bandage, do not pull rapidly. Instead, use coconut oil or an unscented soap in the shower, gently rubbing a corner until it loosens. Then, slowly and gently peel it off.

After you have removed your adhesive bandage, thoroughly wash your hands. Using clean hands, delicately cleanse the new tattoo with warm water and a gentle, unscented liquid soap (like Dial Gold or a diluted, unscented Dr. Bronner’s) in small, circular motions.

Allow your new tattoo to air-dry or gently pat it dry with a paper towel (avoid using regular cloth towels, as they may introduce lint and bacteria to your tattoo).

Once dry, apply a thin layer of A&D ointment to the tattoo. Ensure that the layer covers the new tattoo, but is as thin as possible, allowing your tattoo to breathe. If A&D ointment causes any breakout or skin issues for you, you may use other unscented products such as Aquaphor, unscented, undyed lotion like Lubriderm, coconut oil, or a tattoo-specific aftercare product. Make sure to discuss any product switch with your artist.

Repeat this washing and moisturizing process three to five times a day for the next two weeks or until your new tattoo is fully healed.

If your tattoo shows signs and symptoms of infection such as fever, excessive swelling, excessive redness, or drainage, contact a medical professional immediately.