Aftercare
Take care of your body after getting a tattoo! This is your excuse to take a break and let your body recover. A tattoo is essentially an open wound and it must be treated with care. Following the proper aftercare will ensure your tattoo heals properly and ensures the longevity of your tattoo. Remember, once your tattoo has been completed, the rest is up to you!
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Types of Bandages:
Second skin (common brands: Dermshield, Saniderm, Tegaderm): a transparent adhesive barrier that protects your new tattoo while it’s healing. It’s waterproof and breathable. I recommend leaving this bandage on for 3-4 days as long as there are no adverse reactions. Some people are allergic to second skin (myself included).
An allergic reaction will begin to show up (within 24 hours) as redness around the edge of the bandage, not on the tattoo itself. If left on for too long, it may cause a blister to form. If you notice irritation from the second skin, take off the bandage immediately and follow aftercare instructions as normal. If you have sensitive skin, I would avoid using second skin and stick to the traditional way of healing the tattoo with cling wrap. Seek medical attention if needed.
It is normal for excess ink, blood, plasma, and body fluids to build up underneath the bandage, causing the tattoo to look blurry so don’t panic!
Take off the bandage early if you have an allergic reaction, if water leaks under the bandage, if fluid underneath the bandage leaks out, and/or if the bandage is beginning to lift off the skin.
Cling wrap: leave the cling wrap on for 2-4 hours.
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Aftercare:
Before taking the second skin or cling wrap off, wash your hands with antibacterial soap (Dial Gold soap liquid or bar works well).
After removing your bandage, rinse the tattoo with warm water (not hot) and antibacterial soap, then pat it down with a clean paper towel—don't use a bath towel because it holds a lot of bacterial and can cause an infection. Wait about 15 minutes for your tattoo to completely dry before you apply any ointment.
Wash the tattoo about 1-2 times a day (I usually wash it when I shower) with warm water and antibacterial soap, then apply a thin layer of ointment (Aquaphor, A&D, Hustle Butter) about 1-2 times a day or as needed. Do this for about one week or until you see the tattoo begin to scab/peel.
Avoid Vaseline because it tends to be too thick and suffocates the tattoo.
If your skin is on the more sensitive side, avoid the thicker ointments like Aquaphor and A&D, and use an unscented, water-based lotion instead.
When the tattoo begins to scab/peel, switch over to an unscented, water-based lotion (during week 2 and onwards). This is usually when the tattoo becomes itchy so don't scratch at it and don't pick at it or it will damage the tattoo. If the itchiness becomes unbearable, you can lightly pat the tattoo, that usually helps relieve some of the itch.
During the entire healing process, please cover your tattoo with comfortable, loose clothing—nothing tight. Allow your tattoo to breathe.
After your tattoo is healed (about 1 month), keep it moisturized and apply sunscreen on your tattoo if you plan to be out in the sun. The sun will make your tattoo fade quicker than you’d like! Sunscreen can only be applied after your tattoo is fully healed.
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Things to avoid:
Avoid alcohol for the next 24 hours (alcohol thins the blood and causes excess bleeding and can damage the tattoo).
Avoid direct sunlight (keep your tattoo covered during it's healing phase: 3-4 weeks). No tanning!
Avoid soaking in water (baths, pools, etc.: 3-4 weeks).
Avoid the gym/any exercises/activities that cause excessive sweating (including saunas/spas; gyms hold a lot of bacterial so avoid it for at least 1-2 weeks. Avoid any exercises that may cause injury to the tattoo area). If you must exercise, wash your tattoo immediately after and apply ointment/lotion.
Avoid scrubbing the tattooed area. Please be gentle!
All of the above can cause improper healing of your tattoo such as fading, missing ink, and/or infection.
PLEASE SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF NEEDED.