Congratulations on your new tattoo!
Traditional Healing
- Leave your plastic wrap on for 2-4 hours.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before removing your bandage.
- Clean your tattoo with a mild anti-bacterial soap and warm water.
- Use your fingertips to massage the area, removing ink, dried fluids and ointment. Do not scrub your new tattoo.
- Dry the area by patting with a clean, sterile towel. Do not rub!
- Let your tattoo dry completely (approximately 10 minutes).
- Your tattoo needs to breathe, do no re-bandage the area.
- For the first 3-4 days, gently massage a very small amount of a light, water-based cream or lotion, like Hustle Butter, on your tattooed area. Moisturize whenever your tattoo feels dry.
- Do not use an oily or petroleum-based product.
- After the first 3 or 4 days, lightly moisturize the area in the morning and in the evening to prevent your skin from itching.
A tattoo normally takes 7 - 10 days to heal.
Saniderm Healing
- Keep the first applied bandage on for anywhere from 3-24 hours, depending on how much the wound is weeping. Replace within 24 hours or leave on as instructed by me. It’s fine if there is some plasma/blood/lymph fluid buildup under the bandage during this period.
- To remove Saniderm after 24 hours, find an edge of the bandage and pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth. The shower is the ideal place to remove Saniderm. Running water will help loosen the adhesive and relax the skin, making the removal much more comfortable. Dry removal of Saniderm may cause discomfort and added trauma to the skin.
- Discard the used bandage and wash the tattoo with a mild soap, preferably fragrance-free.
- Allow the tattoo to air dry for 10 minutes or pat dry with a clean towel. Do not wipe dry.
- Apply a second bandage by following the application steps given from your artist.
- Keep this second bandage on for 3-6 days – the full six days being ideal. If the skin appears irritated, there is fluid buildup, or the bandage is coming off, it’s okay to remove the bandage sooner rather than later.
- Do not reapply any more bandages after the scabbing/flaking phase of tattoo healing has begun. If you find yourself bandage-less during this phase, make sure you’re keeping the area thoroughly moisturized. For a tattoo moisturizer, we strongly recommend Saniglide or Tattoo Goo.
- If there is adhesive residue leftover on the skin, or the adhesive is not loosening enough with water, coconut oil and baby oil are helpful for removal.
Tips for optimal healing and longevity
- A tattoo is an "open wound" and is subject to the possibility of infection. Do not touch your new tattoo with dirty hands!
- Avoid working out for the first 4 days. Sweat toxins can get into the tattoo and cause infection.
- Avoid direct sunlight on your fresh tattoo.
- Try to wear loose clothing around the tattoo area. You don't want friction there as it could slow the healing process and cause scabbing or even scarring.
- Avoid removing any scabs as they are part of the healing process and will fall off on their own when ready.
- Do not take hot showers up to 4 days after - this will open up your pores and draw out impurities, such as tattoo ink.
- Too much exposure to sunlight or tanning beds, can slowly fade a healed tattoo. Your healed tattoo should be protected with a water-resistant sunscreen of 45 SPF or higher and protects against UVA and UVB rays.
- Exfoliate the tattooed area once a week to keep it vibrant and skin clear.
- For good aging - always put 30+SPF on your tattooed areas.
