Tattoo Aftercare
Following our tattoo session I will give you one of two types of bandages:
Second Skin: non-breathable latex bandage (Keep on for max 48 hours)
This bandage does not breath, so you will want to avoid activities that cause excessive sweating while the bandage is on
Take the bandage off in the shower by gently pulling a corner of the bandage perpendicular from your body and letting water run down to help peel the glue off; be careful while doing this. Forcing the bandage off can take some of the scab with it.
Once the bandage is off, wash your hands and then use scent-free water-based soap to gently clean the tattoo area. Either air dry or use a clean kitchen paper towel. Toilet paper will disintegrate and a wash cloth or bath towel may contain bacteria.
(Make sure to wash the tattoo 1-2 times, daily, for the first week).
After washing your new tattoo, apply a small amount (the size of a green pea) of sent-free, water-based lotion, like Lubriderm or Aveeno
Cling-wrap: a sterile piece of the plastic barrier film. (Keep on for 8-12 hours)
Once the bandage is off, wash your hands and then use scent-free water-based soap to gently clean the tattoo area. Either air dry or use a clean kitchen paper towel. Toilet paper will disintegrate and a wash cloth or bath towel may contain bacteria.
(Make sure to wash the tattoo 1-2 times, daily, for the first week).
After washing your new tattoo, apply a small amount (the size of a green pea) of sent-free, water-based lotion, like Lubriderm or Aveeno
What NOT to do to a healing tattoo:
exfoliate it
scratch at it
pick at the scabs
put dirty clothing on it
let pets touch or lick it
re-bandage it
use polysporin or any other creams that have scents or are not water-based
expose it to direct sunlight
soak or submerge your tattoo in water (3-4 weeks)
5 months healed, no touch ups
Healed client’s photo, no touch ups
Helpful Tips
Lotion is used to help soften the scab so that it does not flake off (which usually takes ink with it). Ideally we want the scab to heal naturally and fall off like any other skin wound.
No lotion can cause lots of flaking, and too much lotion may cause the body to heal ‘too well’ which can lead ink being rejected.
An easy rule of thumb is to use lotion before changing or if the tattoo is ‘tight’ ‘ichy’ or ‘flaky’. Please use your own discretion.
Finally, I cannot stress enough that you know your body best, so please follow whatever has worked best in the past for you. If this is your first time healing a tattoo, then use my recommendations and give your body some attention to see how it heals best. Some immune and blood disorders can extend the healing time, consult a doctor for more information.
It is important to remember that a tattoo is ink carefully placed in the second & third layers of skin. When we view a fresh tattoo we are seeing into the cut. Whereas, a healed tattoo we see under the first layer of the skin; similar to tracing paper.
Healed client’s photo, no touch ups
Keep Your Tattoo Looking Fresh
Over the life of your tattoo, the ink will chance slightly; this is natural. Our skin is a living organ and will wrinkle, sag, and get damaged from the sun. (Our bodies also slowly break down the ink pigment over the course of a tattoo’s life).
The best practice is to have a healthy skin routine. Using lotion daily will help keep the skin moisturized, and sunscreen SPF 30+ will help shield it from direct sunlight.
High movement areas (such as the ribs, shoulder, hands, or neck, etc.) can also cause the tattoo to ‘blur’ a bit or even fade. as the skin is under constant stretching.
Though, the good news is that if you take care of your skin, you will take care of your tattoos!
-Matty Noir