Tattoo Aftercare
Dressing care
Inspect the tattoo site at least daily without removing the dressing. The dressing can be left in place for up to 7 days. Try to keep it on for at least 24 hours.
For the first 24 hours, do not get the dressing wet. After that, you can allow water to wash over it but do not soak it or scrub it.
Remove or Change the dressing if:
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It begins to leak
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It is no longer sticking to the skin
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It contains holes
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Skin is red and itchy. (Or any irritation from the wrap)
It is normal for yellow or brown fluid to appear under the Tegaderm dressing. However, a strong odor is a sign of possible infection and should be reported to your health care provider.
Removing the Tegaderm Dressing
With clean hands, slowly grip one of the corners of your tegaderm and while keeping it low and close to the skin, slowly pull it away from itself, stretching the dressing. Continue this action as the dressing begins to lift until it is completely removed.
You can use warm running water from the sink or shower, and unscented, antibacterial soap to help remove the adhesive.
Remember to always be gentle and patient.
Basic Tattoo Care
After removing your bandage, you should gently wash your new tattoo with antibacterial, Unscented soap & warm water. It is best to let your tattoo dry on its own, but you can also use a clean paper towel, do not use a cloth towel or anything that can leave “fuzzies” or bacteria in the tattoo.
You will want to clean your tattoo 2-3 times a day until it is fully healed.
For the first 2-3 days after getting the tattoo, depending on the size and amount of shading/color your tattoo has, do not moisturize the tattoo. Just let it breathe :)
After the first 2-3 days or once you remove the tegaderm, if it has been on for more than 48 hours, you can start moisturizing your tattoo!
Moisturize your tattoo after it has been washed/cleaned and is completely dry. Be sure to only apply a thin layer. Over moisturizing can make it harder for the fresh tattoo to breathe.
Avoid ointments like Vaseline and A&D which can suffocate the pores, making it hard for the skin to breathe. Your skin needs to breathe to promote and speed the healing process - which is why we recommend fragrance-free lotions or butters such as Lubriderm, Aveeno, Cetaphil or Unrefined, Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil for sensitive skin types. The more organic & natural, the better for your skin.
Sleeping on Top of Your Tattoo
Try your best to not sleep on your fresh tattoo. If you can sleep with your tattoo exposed, that would be best. If not, you can place a clean thin towel between you and the sheets. If, in the morning, your sheets are stuck to you, don't peel the sheet off! Instead, take the sheet with you to the shower and wet it off with cool or lukewarm water.
Touching
Submerging
Our hands and the hands of our friends, family, lovers, and children are all equally dirty. Do not touch your tattoo unless you have freshly washed your hands. Keeping your tattoo clean is Rule #1 in the healing process and washing your tattoo a few times a day will avoid a potential infection.
During this two-four week healing process, you will also want to avoid prolonged water contact.
Yes, of course you can shower, and washing your tattoo a few times a day is encouraged - but you shouldn't submerge your tattoo in baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, or salt water.
It is best to avoid submerging the tattoo until it is fully healed.
On the off chance you accidentally submerge your tattoo while it is still healing, promptly wash it with unscented soap and warm water.
Be sure to monitor yourself and the tattoo with a bit more caution for the next few days.
Sun Exposure
Over the first month or so, your skin is going to be extremely sensitive to the sunlight and UV rays.
You must keep the tattoo out of the sun until healing is complete.
Sunscreen is a bad idea during this healing phase as the ingredients included within most sunscreens and creams will be too harsh for the sensitive area. It could cause irritation and other unwanted side-effects, including prolonged healing times. After the tattoo has completely scabbed and peeled, you should then be able to start applying sunscreen to the area and expose the tattoo to the sun.
It's recommended to wait at least 3-5 weeks.
Scabbing
Your tattoo isn't falling out and there is no cause for alarm! Peeling and scabbing is a very normal part of the tattoo healing process. DO NOT PICK THE SKIN. Don't scratch it either. Scabbing and peeling skin will typically be the same color as the pigment that was used. If you pick or scratch your scab, you risk pulling out the color or causing hypertrophic scarring. Let the tattoo heal by itself.
When to Contact a Doctor
A skin infection may be present if any of the following symptoms are present a few days to a week after having a tattoo:
Increased pain, swelling, redness, heat, or tenderness around the tattoo site Red streaks extending from the tattoo site
Puss coming from the tattoo site
Swollen or tender lymph nodes
Fever
Infection may start at the tattoo site on the surface of the skin. The normal clear or clear-yellow fluid that drains from a tattoo site may change to creamy yellow, brown, or red or look or smell like puss.
If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact a doctor immediately.