Aftercare

Method One

Clear Adhesive Bandage

Welcome to the healing portion of your new tattoo. Currently you and your artist have chosen to use the clear adhesive bandage that covers your new tattoo. This bandage will act as a barrier to protect the newly tattooed area. You are able to work, do daily errands, and regularly shower with this wrap.

The benefit of the clear adhesive bandage is that you don't really have to do anything other than make sure the bandage is adhered to the skin. You want to keep the bandage on for 7 days. It is important with this bandage to avoid pools, lakes, baths, hot tubs, anything that will completely submerge the bandaged area. You will also want to keep the tattoo out of the sun — no beaches or tanning for the duration of the heal. Heavy sweating will affect the adhesive benefits of this wrap; try to avoid it if possible.

We recommend you remove the bandage in a warm shower on the 7th day. In the shower, run hot water over the bandage for 2–5 minutes — you will notice the wrap starting to roll off the skin. Remove the wrap slowly. It should not hurt. If it hurts, use the warm water to help break the adhesion of wrap to the skin.

Apply a light layer of non-scented Aquaphor into the tattooed area. Massage the moisturizer into the skin — the area should not be thick or glossy. If you notice you have too much moisturizer on, simply get a clean paper towel and dab the excess off. Remember, you want the moisturizer in the skin, not glossy on top.

If you notice fluid leaking out of your bandage, it has become compromised and will allow bacteria to enter, potentially harming your tattoo. Take the bandage off in the shower and wash the tattoo with non-scented liquid anti-bacterial pump soap. Once washed and rinsed of all soap, dab the tattooed area dry, then apply a light layer of non-scented Aquaphor as described above.

Please let us know if you have an allergy to latex or adhesives and we'll give you an alternative option.

Method Two

Traditional Aftercare

Your artist would have sent you home with a removable bandage.

Things needed:

• Non-scented antibacterial soap (i.e. plain Dial) — liquid pump, not a bar. Bar soap can retain bacteria after use and leave a film on the skin.
• A non-scented, colorless, fragrance-free ointment (i.e. Aquaphor) — do not use triple antibiotic, Vaseline, or Neosporin.

Tattoos take about 14–21 days to heal. Remove your bandage once you're home and wash the tattooed area with the non-scented liquid pump antibacterial soap. Once washed and rinsed of all soap, take a clean paper towel and dab the area dry.

Next, take a small amount of your ointment and massage it into the tattooed area. You don't want to use too much — you want the moisturizer in the skin, not glossy on top. If you notice too much moisturizer, simply dab the excess off with a paper towel.

Repeat this process 3–4 times a day for 2–3 weeks.

Avoid pools, lakes, baths, hot tubs — anything that will completely submerge your new tattoo — for the healing duration. Keep the new tattoo out of the sun; no beaches or tanning for the duration of the heal.