Aftercare
Wash your hands
In general, good hygiene is essential in preventing infection and ensuring your tattoo heals well. It is very important that you wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before touching your tattoo or doing any aftercare during the healing process.Avoid direct sunlight
During the first few weeks of the healing process, your tattoo will be very sensitive and vulnerable to direct sunlight. Be sure to keep your tattoo covered and out of the sun while it is still healing. Nothing destroys tattoo pigment as rapidly as the sun.After your tattoo has fully healed (roughly 2 to 3 weeks) make sure you apply sunscreen any time you plan on being in the sun, to ensure the longevity of your tattoo.
As with most things, the quality of products varies. I recommend searching for products from korea or europen countries as their safety standards tend to be superior to that of American companies.
No swimming
As stated in the above sections, your fresh tattoo will be sensitive and vulnerable. It is a wound and should be treated as such. Do not go swimming or submerge your tattoo in water for at least two weeks after your session. No pools, no hot tubs, no lakes, no rivers, no baths. Showering is fine and is recommended, you just don't want it to soak in water.
Standard Aftercare
"Standard" Healing aka "Ointment" Healing:Some People don't like using Tegaderm or they have sensitive skin and the Tegaderm irritates it.
It is important to note that I recommend using a quality tattoo healing balm such as Redemption Tattoo Aftercare, Hustle Butter, or something similar.
1. Leave the bandage on until you are home and able to safely clean the tattoo.
2. When removing the bandage, it may be stuck to the new tattoo due to dried blood / plasma. DO NOT force the bandage off.
-Use warm running water to loosen the bandage if needed.
3. Wash the tattoo with warm water and soap and pat dry with a clean towel.
4. Apply a THIN layer of aftercare balm. This needs to be repeated periodically through the day, for 5 DAYS.
There is no exact number of times to reapply the aftercare balm, but the idea is to keep the tattoo moisturized, but not completely caked with it. ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS FIRST!
- "Gobbing" a thick layer of balm on the tattoo to make the coating last longer is to be avoided, it will cause your tattoo to weep plasma excessively and can lead to heavy scabbing and ink loss.
-Think "chapstick thin" when applying the aftercare balm.
5. When the tattoo has shed the top layer of skin by flaking away, or in the process of doing so. At this time switch to a plain moisturizing lotion
-ex. Eucerin, Lubriderm, Aveeno, Jergins, Tattoo Goo etc
-Avoid Colors, Additives and Fragrances.
6. DO NOT swim or submerge your tattoo in water for 2 weeks. This includes pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, oceans etc. Showering is fine and recommended for hygiene.
7. DO NOT pick or scratch at the tattoo. It will itch and peel, all of which is normal. Remember "Peeling Means Healing!". You can slap the tattoo to alleviate itching or rub with an open hand. No nail on skin scratching!
8. DO NOT do any type of tanning during the healing process. Over exposure to sunlight will fade your tattoo over time. It's always recommended to keep SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen on your tattoo when out in the sun...FOREVER! This will help keep your tattoo looking vibrant.
9. Consult a physician in the event of any alarming healing issues..
Tegaderm Aftercare
Tegaderm Aftercare Procedure1. If your artist has applied the 1st round of Tegaderm: Generally linework and softer shading tends to weep far less than color. In that case you'll want to leave your initial wrap on for 3-5 days.
If you've got yourself a freshly wrapped color tattoo, you can leave it wrapped for 24-48 hours before changing it.
○ When removing Bandage, the easiest way is in the shower or using warm running water.
○ Start at a corner and slowly pull the Bandage along the skin, not away from the skin. Stretching the wrap helps release the adhesion from the skin so you won't have to peel it.
○ Move slowly and in small sections until Bandage is fully removed.
2. Wash the tattoo with warm water and soap. Avoid soaps with fragrances. Antibacterial soap is recommended to further help prevent infection, but is not entirely necessary if thats something yoi prefer to avoid. (Everyone's skin is different)
Fully dry the tattoo, blotting it with a clean paper towel.
3. Reapply the 2nd round of Tegaderm, first peeling the paper backing, applying it to the skin and tattoo, then removing the plastic surface (typically the part with printed markings) , leaving only the thin tegaderm. When using multiple pieces be sure to overlap them about an inch, and do your best to place each piece, starting on its edge and smoothing it across to limit air bubbles. (Some bubbles may still be present, this is normal and won't hurt anything)
Be sure the bandage covers the ENTIRE TATTOO and extends beyond the edges of the tattooed area.
4. Leave the 2nd round of Tegaderm on for 4-5 Days
- Fluid accumulation under the Bandage is NORMAL and should be expected.
- There may be a little, or a lot. There is no need for concern if you see fluid, this is your own blood plasma, white blood cells, enzymes, and excess pigment. It is working to rebuild your skin so LEAVE IT ALONE.
5. Remove the 2nd round of the Bandage on the 4th or 5th day and wash the tattoo, following the previous steps.
6. For the next 2-3 days, a tattoo healing balm like is advised. This will assist the final healing of the skin, while maximizing skin rejuvenation.
- Apply in very thin layers, 3 times a day. Morning, Noon, Night
7. Moisturize the tattoo with a plain lotion e.x. Eucerin, Lubriderm, Aveeno (NO COLOR / NO FRAGRANCE) Continue until no visible dryness or flakes are apparent.
*some minor irritation is expected but if you experience and problematic skin irritation from the Tegaderm Bandage, remove it and contact your artist *
8 DO NOT swim or submerge your tattoo in water for 2 weeks. This includes pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, oceans etc. Showering is fine and recommended for hygiene.
9. DO NOT pick or scratch at the tattoo. It will itch and peel, all of which is normal. Remember "Peeling Means Healing!". You can slap the tattoo to alleviate itching or rub with an open hand. No nail on skin scratching!
10. DO NOT do any type of tanning during the healing process. Over exposure to sunlight will fade your tattoo over time. It's always recommended to keep SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen on your tattoo when out in the sun...FOREVER! This will help keep your tattoo looking vibrant.
Consult a physician in the event of any alarming healing issues.