Our Aftercare Instructions
Different tattoos require different aftercare depending on the location and stage of the Art’s completion.
Every Tattoo Artist has their own Aftercare Procedure – so what we are outlining here is somewhat basic.
When in doubt, one should always consult with a professional Tattooer. Preferably the one who did the piece.
Your new tattoo will be very sensitive, red, irritated and vulnerable to infection for the first week or two. Follow these steps to avoid infection and heavy irritation for a fast and happy heal time.
When you leave our shop you will most likely have Saniderm, which is a 3 day transparent bandage on your tattoo. Just like the name suggests you should leave the bandage on for 3 days time. It is normal to see a fluid build up under the bandage as it is healing, your skin will absorb this and it is not cause for concern. However, if the fluid leaks outside the bandage take it off as soon as possible, in a clean environment. The leaking fluid can serve as a highway for bacteria to enter your tattoo and lead to infection if the bandage stays on.
This is normal fluid build up. This tattoo was done by Bryan and this is what it looked like under the bandage the day after the tattoo.
After the 3 days are up you’re ready to remove the bandage. First things first, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Gently wash your tattoo in lukewarm salt water or saline solution in light circular motions. If you are making the salt water mixture yourself at home, all the salt should be dissolved in the water. Extra salt in the water could result in salt burn and the ink will not stay in place. Do not push hard enough to scrub of the scabs as again, the ink will not stay in place. Let air dry or pat dry; be sure you are NOT rubbing the tattoo.
You can continue to rinse with salt water periodically throughout the day as often as you’d like. Be sure to rinse with the salt water at least once a day to keep the fresh tattoo clean.
Gently moisturize once a day at most. You can do this after washing. Use a very small amount of non-fragrant lotion (do not overdo it, your skin should feel dry after application). Over moisturizing can lead to infection.
Scabbing is normal. Be sure that you don’t pick or rub the scabs, removing them at this stage will pull the ink out and your tattoo will not heal correctly. You can’t see it in this video but I also had a bit of a yellowish bruise in the area surrounding the tattoo. Bruising is also normal and it healed away as the tattoo healed.
More happy healing tips:
1. Pear’s Transparent Soap is the brand we recommend for washing your tattoo if you must use soap. Any unscented soap is fine too – so long as your tattoo doesn’t get irritated.
The most important thing is to keep your tattoo CLEAN and DRY. If you are going to be sweating, working, or dirty; wash it with clean hands ASAP afterwards. Pat it dry. NO rubbing. NO friction
2. For moisturizing we recommend any unscented hand lotion (i.e.: Lubriderm, Curel, etc.)
Moisturizing is good but needs to be done SPARINGLY. If your whole tattoo has been moisturized and your skin is dry enough that you can snap your fingers- that is perfect. (The tattoo should not be slimy or slippery after moisturizing.)
DO NOT moisturize immediately after showering or cleaning your tattoo. Ideally only moisturize it once a day when it is dry.
3. No sun-tanning, swimming, hot-tubs, baths (or any kind of UV exposure or soaking in water) for 3 weeks after receiving your tattoo.
4. The healing stage:
You can expect the fresh tattoo to feel comparable to a ‘bruisy sunburn’ for up to a week. The tattoo can flake, scab, and be itchy which is fairly normal – the key when this happens is to cut back on moisturizing, the reason being that the flaky and/or scabby tissue needs to come off. When you moisturize that tissue, you prolong this stage of the process which increases your risk of infection. HOWEVER DO NOT PICK OR TRY TO PEEL THE SKIN OR SCAB. It will come off naturally.