aftercare

PLEASE FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES BELOW TO ENSURE THE BEST HEALED RESULT

the overall appearance of the tattoo when healed is highly dependent on following proper aftercare protocol. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please send me a dm or email.

during the entire healing process, please abstain from:

• exposing the tattoo to direct sunlight

  • UV rays from the sun break down tattoo pigment, so sun exposure WILL cause premature fading.

  • sunscreen is great for maintaining a tattoo that is already healed, but it will not protect a fresh tattoo adequately

• physical activity/exercise that will result in excessive sweating

  • saline (including the salt in sweat) draws tattoo pigment out of the skin and WILL cause premature fading.

  • sweating also introduces bacteria to the new tattoo and can cause an infection.

• exposing the tattoo to excess moisture

  • although showering is perfectly fine, soaking your tattoo in water can expose it to bacteria, thereby increasing the risk of infection.

  • avoid taking baths, very long showers, swimming pools, and saunas

• scratching, picking, or itching the tattoo

RECOMMENDED SOAPS: dial gold antibacterial, cetaphil cleanser, dr bronners fragrance free, cerave

RECOMMENDED LOTIONS: lubriderm daily moisture, curel fragrance free lotion, cetaphil, coconut oil

DO NOT APPLY: vaseline, neosporin, alcohol, baby oil

day 1-3:

your fresh tattoo may be red, warm to the touch, and a little swollen. This is all normal.

• after the tattoo is finished, a “second skin” / saniderm bandage will be applied on top of the tattoo. This is a medical-grade bandage that is water-resistant and acts as a barrier that will protect the tattoo from dirt and other irritants.

• leave the second skin bandage on for a max of 3 days. you may shower as normal with the bandage on.

** in rare instances, some people may experience redness or skin irritation around the tattoo due to sensitivity to the medical adhesive.       If this occurs, remove the bandage immediately.

day 4-14:

at this stage, the ink should start to settle in the body and may darken slightly. there should be little soreness remaining, though redness may persist, which is normal.

• remove the second skin bandage while in the shower.

• gently wash the tattoo with plain, unscented soap.

• pat the tattoo dry with a clean, disposable paper towel. Avoid using a common hand towel or bath towel, as this may introduce bacteria into the healing tattoo.

• once the tattoo is dry, apply a thin layer of plain, unscented lotion to keep the tattoo moisturized. Do not oversaturate the tattoo; there should only be enough to thinly coat the surface of the skin.

• repeat this cleansing & moisturizing routine 2x a day.

day 15-28:

at this stage, the surface of the skin should be healed. this means you can stop daily washing of the tattoo. continuing to lightly moisturize is recommended. despite the skin being healed on the surface, the ink pigment under the skin is still unsettled. please continue to avoid direct sun exposure during this time. now that the surface of the skin is healed you may apply sunscreen.

after 4 weeks:

the pigment under the skin should be relatively settled at this stage, but it can take several more weeks for a tattoo to be fully healed.

to maintain the tattoo’s quality over time, continue to protect the tattoo from the sun by either keeping it covered or by using sunscreen (reapplying every 2 hours).

TOUCH UPS

after 4 weeks send me an updated photo so we can discuss how healing went and see if you need any touch ups.

• touch ups are free within first 2 months, $25 after. 

• hand tattoos will require a series of touch ups (usually 2-3) at  $25 each to  reach full saturation.

• all tattoos fade over time. how much the tattoo fades is dependent on the level of sun exposure, skin hydration, placement of the tattoo (high friction areas like hands, wrists, feet & ankles tend to fade much quicker) and aftercare. 

• due to the small and delicate nature, fading can be more noticeable in fine line tattoos and it is normal to need a touch up. 

please remember that tattoos are open wounds and must be treated appropriately to ensure both your physical health/safety and the best quality for your tattoo.

If you experience excessive pain, swelling, redness, or fever, consult your physician ASAP.