Aftercare+:
Recovery Derm Shield:
I will apply your bandage for you at the end of each appointment. For clients with adhesive allergies please see the “Aquaphor” section listed below.
Typically I recommend wearing your bandage any where from 3-4 days, depending on level of exudation. The tattoo will weep fluid for the first few days after your appointment. Messy fluid underneath your bandage is to be expected. If your bandage is leaking fluid it is time to remove your bandage.
Do not wear bandage for more 7 days.
Recovery derm shield is a waterproof, hypoallergenic, breathable bandage. When you shower please wash around your bandage and pat dry afterward.
If the corners of your bandage start to peel try to leave them alone. If the bandage peels past your tattoo it is time to remove your bandage.
After 3-4 days gently peel the bandage slowly from the edge of the top corner. Pulling the bandage upward from the top corner away from your skin or downward from the bottom corner, slowly will loosen the adhesive and slowly remove your bandage. You will basically be stretching the bandage away from your skin. I prefer to remove the bandage in the shower while the bandage is wet. I do not recommend pulling the bandage upward from the bottom of the bandage.
After removing the bandage wash your tattoo thoroughly with your fingertips, gentle liquid hand soap and warm water. ( I prefer Dial gold for hand soap) Wash your tattoo regularly after removing your bandage.
Let your tattoo air dry after cleaning. Once your tattoo is dry you can begin moisturizing your tattoo regularly with a non-scented moisturizer.
Moisturize as needed, anytime the tattoo feels dry, itchy, or tight it is time to moisturize. You will more than likely be moisturizing for 3-4 weeks after your bandage is removed or until the tattoo is fully settled. Fully settled would mean you can no longer feel any part of your tattoo with your fingertips. I prefer ultra healing/restoring lotions for healing. Any of these brands are a safe bet, Eucerin, Cetaphil, Cera-ve, Gold bond. I’ve also used Palmers cocoa butter lotion as a moisturizer.
I cannot stress enough how important aftercare is to your tattoo. Poor aftercare will result in longer healing times and possibly poor healing/loss of pigments. Please DO NOT pick, scratch or itch your tattoo. If your tattoo happens to scab let the scab fall off naturally when you wash or apply lotion/ointment to your tattoo. DO NOT PICK YOUR TATTOO. If any area of your tattoo is feeling rough Aquaphor can be used to soften and help rejuvenate the are.
Avoid direct contact with sunlight for 2-3 weeks after. Covering your tattoo throughout the healing process while being exposed to sun is important! You can cover or use sun block to protect/preserve your tattoo from the sun!
NO swimming/baths for 2-3 weeks after your appointment.
Touch-ups are a case by case situation. If you need a touch-up please do not hesitate to contact me. Anything after 6 months of your appointment is no longer considered a touch-up.
If you have any questions or concerns on aftercare please do not hesitate to contact me via email or call the studio.
Aquaphor:
If you are planning to heal your tattoo with ointment I prefer that you use Aquaphor for the first 3-4 days or until the tattoo has peeled, unless you have access to inkeeze or hustle butter. Inkeeze or hustle butter can also be used for the first 3-4 days of your healing process.
Wash your hands before cleaning your new tattoo
Be sure to wash your tattoo regularly with your fingertips, warm water, gentle hand soap. Cleaning your tattoo thoroughly at least twice per day is vital to your heal process.
When applying Aquaphor or one of the other ointments listed, apply very lightly. A small amount on the tip of your finger is likely plenty to care for your new tattoo. Massage the ointment into your skin almost using it as a lotion. The tattoo should have a light shine but there should not be a visible layer of ointment on top of your tattoo. Dab any excess ointment off your skin with a clean paper towel.
Use Aquaphor for the first 3-4 days of your healing process or until the tattoo has mostly peeled. You will notice your tattoo peeling similar to a sunburn. The flakes peeling will be the color of the pigment used. DO NOT pick at any of the flakes, let the tattoo peel naturally when you clean and apply ointment to your fresh tattoo. If your tattoo happens to scab please do not pick at any of the scabs. The scabs will fall off naturally when you wash and apply ointment.
After your tattoo has peeled you will need to start moisturizing your tattoo. Continue your cleaning regiment throughout the entirety of your healing process. A full heal could be anywhere from a couple weeks to a month or more. Your tattoo is considered fully healed when you can no longer feel it.
Moisturize as needed, anytime the tattoo feels dry, itchy, or tight it is time to moisturize. You will more than likely be moisturizing for 3-4 weeks after your bandage is removed or until the tattoo is fully settled. Fully settled would mean you can no longer feel any part of your tattoo with your fingertips. I prefer ultra healing/restoring lotions for healing. Any of these brands are a safe bet, Eucerin, Cetaphil, Cera-ve, Gold bond. I’ve also used Palmers cocoa butter lotion as a moisturizer.
I cannot stress enough how important aftercare is to your tattoo. Poor aftercare will result in longer healing times and possibly poor healing/loss of pigments. Please DO NOT pick, scratch or itch your tattoo. If your tattoo happens to scab let the scab fall off naturally when you wash or apply lotion/ointment to your tattoo. DO NOT PICK YOUR TATTOO. It is best to avoid direct contact with sunlight for 2-3 weeks afterward. NO swimming/baths for 2-3 weeks after your appointment.
Touch-ups are a case by case situation. If you need a touch-up please do not hesitate to contact me. The longer you wait the more likely it is you will have to pay a setup fee to have your tattoo touched up.
If you have any questions or concerns on aftercare please do not hesitate to contact me via email or call the studio in the case of an emergency