After Care
INSTRUCTIONS
In order for your new tattoo to properly heal, we have put together specific aftercare instructions to follow.
If you are using a clear film bandage
- The initial bandage (that we apply at your appointment) can remain on for anywhere from just overnight up to 24 hours.
- The tattoo will natural produce some fluid (mostly plasma, but tinged with all the colors used in the tattoo, which usually mix into brown). Some tattoos produce a lot of fluid – don’t be alarmed! It’s kind of gross, but also kind of cool, and perfectly normal.
- How long the initial bandage stays on depends on the amount of fluid. Use your own best judgement on when to change the bandage based on your comfort.
- If the bandage leaks – oops! Sorry. Stains should come out in the wash.
To remove the bandage
- Get a corner of the bandage peeled up, then slowly and gently use a wet soapy washcloth to help roll the bandage down off the skin (you can use it to separate the skin from the bandage).
- Wash the tattoo thoroughly to get all the fluid residue off using a plain antibacterial liquid soap (Dial, Dr. Bronners, etc) Pat dry with a clean towel.
Apply the new bandage
- Peel the paper side off first, then lay the exposed sticky side on the skin, then peel off the plastic side while pressing the remaining bandage down against the skin to gently flatten wrinkles.
- If you get an air bubble, try to squeeze it out towards the edge of the bandage. If you accidentally pop the air bubble, use a little extra piece of bandage to seal up the hole – you don’t want a hole in your bandage!
- Leave the bandage on for 4-6 days. Keep showers at a moderate temperature (no excessive heat/steam/sweat as it may affect the adhesive) and keep the tattoo out of the sun as the bandage is not UV protective.
Tattoos get itchy when they heal
Use your own best judgement on when to remove the bandage based on how your tattoo feels. Remove the bandage, clean the tattoo, and use a plain unscented lotion as necessary as the tattoo finishes healing. Some light peeling may occur, don’t pick or scratch at it!
Troubleshooting/warning signs
- Remove the bandage right away if you notice:
a) the skin under the bandage is rashy or red/inflamed
b) if the new bandage fills up with fluid again
c) if the bandage smells funny. - Please Email Us and tell me what’s going on so we can advise you! We will most likely recommend that you revert to the Old Fashioned healing method using antibiotic cream (see below).
If you are healing the Old Fashioned way (no film)
- The initial bandage stays on overnight. Up to 24 hours is acceptable if you’re not in a position to change it in a clean place (i.e. traveling). The tattoo will produce some fluid that will be tinged with all the colors used that day – don’t let it alarm you!
- Remove the bandage and clean the tattoo gently with an antibacterial liquid soap (Dial, Dr. Bronners, etc). The tattoo will be a little sore to the touch like a bruise, but that’s ok, just be sure to clean all the fluid residue away.
- After the tattoo is cleaned and patted dry with a clean towel – leave it be for a while. If you notice any more clear fluid building up on the surface clean the tattoo again.
- When the tattoo remains dry on its own and starts to feel a little dry (like typical dry skin) you can start to use an antibiotic cream on it (any brand is fine, just be sure to use cream and not ointment) Treat the cream like lotion and apply small amounts at a time, rubbed in thoroughly so the skin is not damp to the touch. Do this periodically as needed as the tattoo starts to go through the peeling phase of healing. After a couple of days you can switch from the cream to any plain, unscented lotion.
- When a tattoo is in the middle of the peely phase it can look weird! The skin getting ready to fall off can appear muddy and dark, and the brand new skin beneath can seem shiny and silvery, maybe a little milky. Just be patient with the process!
Rules/Troubleshooting
- Do not soak the tattoo underwater until all peeliness is gone (showers are fine but no swimming, tubs, etc).
- Keep your tattoo out of the sun (sunblock is acceptable after the peely phase has passed).
- Do not pick or scratch at the tattoo – that will pull ink out! A few flecks of color may come off on your hands as you lotion the tattoo, but those bits were ready to come off on their own, no worries.
- Full healing can take 2-3 weeks, everyone is a little different!