Tattoo Aftercare

Please follow the guidelines below to ensure the best results!

At least 50% of the overall appearance of the tattoo is contingent on following proper aftercare protocol, and poor aftercare will result in forfeiture of your complimentary touch-up.

Days 1-5: Your fresh tattoo may be red, warm to the touch, and a little swollen. This is all normal.

Second Skin Healing:

  • A “second skin” bandage will be applied on top of the tattoo. This is a transparent, medical-grade bandage that is water-resistant. This will act as a barrier that will protect the tattoo from dirt and other irritants.

  • Leave the second skin bandage on for 3-4 days. You may shower as normal with the bandage on, but do not submerge the tattoo (e.g. baths, pools, etc.).

Traditional Healing:

  • This method of healing is best used if you have sensitive skin to adhesives (such as band-aids and medical tape)

  • A&D ointment will be applied on the tattoo along with a covering of clingfilm.

  • Leave the wrapping on for a few hours (3-5 hours) before removing and starting the washing/moisturizing routine (below)

Days 5-14: The ink should start to settle into the body and should darken in appearance. There might be soreness and redness around the tattoo.

Second Skin Healing:

  • Remove the second skin bandage while in the shower

  • Gently wash the tattoo with an antibacterial, unscented soap

  • Pat the tattoo dry with a clean, disposable paper towel (avoid using a common hand towel or bath towel, as this may introduce bacteria into the healing tattoo)

  • Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion to keep the tattoo moisturized (do not oversaturate the tattoo; there should only be enough to thinly coat the surface of the skin)

  • Please do this routine at least once a day

Traditional Healing:

  • Continue the washing/moisturizing routine done on Day 1 for the next couple of weeks.

Days 14-21: The skin should have already started repairing itself at the surface, so skin will appear dry and itchy.

Continue cleaning and moisturizing the tattoo as normal. Feel free to reapply moisturizer more frequently if the tattoo feels dry and itchy, being mindful not to oversaturate the tattoo to the point that it’s wet.

Although the skin might start to feel healed, the pigment underneath the skin is still settling into the dermis and remains vulnerable to sun exposure.

It is important to continue avoiding sun exposure and to abstain from picking or itching the tattoo or else there will be premature fall out.

Day 21 onward: Your tattoo should be close to (if not completely) healed!

The pigment under the skin should be relatively settled into the dermis at this stage. Tattoos with heavier saturation (i.e. full color, blackwork, or any heavy shading) might take a few extra weeks to fully heal and settle.

To maintain the tattoo’s quality over time, it is important to protect the tattoo from the sun by either keeping it covered or using an SPF lotion and reapplying every 2 hours.

During the entire healing process, please abstain from:

  • Exposing the tattoo to direct sunlight

    • UV rays from the sun break down tattoo pigment, so sun exposure WILL cause premature fading.

    • Sunscreen is great for maintaining a tattoo that is already healed, but it will not protect a fresh tattoo adequately

  • Physical activity/exercise that will result in excessive sweating

    • Saline (including the salt in sweat) draws tattoo pigment out of the skin and WILL cause premature fading.

    • Sweating also introduces bacteria to the new tattoo and can cause an infection.

  • Exposing the tattoo to excess moisture

    • Although showering is perfectly fine, soaking your tattoo in water can expose it to bacteria, thereby increasing the risk of infection.

    • Avoid taking baths, very long showers, swimming pools, and saunas

  • Scratching, picking, or itching the tattoo

Remember: diligent aftercare goes a LONG way and will set your tattoo up for a great aging process!

Supplies & Materials

If you have any issues during the healing process and need to communicate with a physician, here are the list of brands I use in order to more quickly problem-solve and avoid any long-term issues:

All needles and grips are single-use and sterilized. All other parts of the tattoo are sanitized and are executed using standard tattoo procedure.

Please remember that tattoos are open wounds and must be treated appropriately to ensure both your physical health/safety and the best quality for your tattoo.

If you experience excessive pain, swelling, redness, or fever, consult your physician ASAP.