Aftercare

 
 

General Tattoo Aftercare

While getting tattooed, the tattoo needle punctures the skin between 50-3,000 times per minute. The needle enters the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and delivers the ink into the central layer of skin (dermis). It can be easy to forget, but this new piece of art is actually an open wound and must be treated as such. This means that it’s critical to keep dirt, debris, and bacteria out.

We use medical-grade, breathable, waterproof tattoo bandages. These bandages are engineered to be permeable to gasses, like oxygen.

  1. Keep the bandage on for anywhere from 12-24 hours, depending on how much the wound is weeping. It’s fine if there is some plasma/blood/lymph fluid buildup under the bandage during this period, but don’t leave it longer than 24 hours.

  2. To remove tattoo bandage, find an edge of the bandage and pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth. The shower, under running water, is the most ideal place to remove the adhesive. Dry removal of bandage may cause discomfort and added trauma to the skin.

  3. Discard the used bandage and wash the tattoo with a mild soap, preferably fragrance-free. 

  4. Gently wash the tattoo with unscented, antibacterial soap such as Dial. 

  5. Allow the tattoo to air dry or pat dry with a clean towel.

  6. Apply Vaseline/Aquaphor or any tattoo aftercare moisturize cream on your tattoo.

  7. Repeat steps for 10-14 days. It takes about two weeks for your tattoo to be fully healed. Until the tattoo fully heals, avoid sun exposure, swimming, bathing, and DO NOT SCRATCH!!!

  8. If the tattoo is itchy, please slap the area instead of scratching.

  9. If the adhesive starts to become itchy and/or turns red around the edges, you are probably allergic! Please immediately remove the bandage and clean accordingly.