Aftercare for your new tattoo
GENERAL HEALING BEST PRACTICES
Your tattoo is a (super dope looking) open wound! Please be mindful and treat it as such!
Avoid touching your new tattoo. Only touch with freshly washed hands.
Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight to avoid fading.
Avoid heavy exercise and/or sweating for the first 7 days.
No hot tubs / saunas for at least 3 weeks until fully healed.
Do not submerge your new tattoo in water for at least 3 weeks. Showers are ok.
Try not to scratch or pick at your tattoo while it’s healing. If the itching is unbearable, you can slap it gently.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOUR SESSION
If your tattoo is bandaged in second skin / saniderm, you can leave the skin on for up to 48 hours. You can shower with it on, but avoid soaking in bodies of water or excessive sweating. After 24-48 hours, remove the second skin under running water and wash gently with mild unscented soap. Air dry or pat dry with a clean paper towel and leave uncovered. Follow cleaning & moisturizing instructions below.
If your tattoo is bandaged with another type of wrapping, remove after 4 - 5 hours ( or the next morning if late ). Remove the bandage (under running water preferably) and wash gently with mild unscented soap. Air dry or pat dry with a clean paper towel and leave uncovered. Follow cleaning & moisturizing instructions below.
It is normal for your new tattoo to ooze a little during the first couple days.
CLEANING & MOISTURIZING
Cleanse new tattoos twice a day (morning and night) with running water and mild, unscented soap.
Allow tattoo to air dry or gently pat dry with a clean paper towel.
Apply a very thin layer of WATER-BASED ointment (options: Cetaphil, Cerave, Pegasus or other specialized tattoo lotion). Use sparingly, no more than twice a day. Too much moisturizer can interfere with the healing process.
After a few days, you will notice scabs and flaking on your tattoo. It may also start getting very itchy. Embrace the itch!! DON’T SCRATCH YOUR TATTOO and stick to the cleansing and moisturizing routine! The worst will be over soon.
Your tattoo will be fully healed in 3 - 4 weeks depending on the size and amount of shading. Continue to keep it clean, moisturized, and out of the sun (or with sunscreen) to keep the art vibrant. :) Enjoy!
TOUCH-UPS
All tattoos fade over time. Our bodies have incredible regenerative capabilities and will eventually break down the ink pigments in your skin. Thin lines and work done over areas with lots of movement or stretchy skin will fall out faster. Please be religious about using sunscreen on exposed tattoos!
I offer all first touch-ups for free! All future touch-ups afterwards will be subject to a $50 fee.
If you have any questions or concerns about a tattoo I have done, please feel free to email me!