AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS
Caring for your new tattoo is primarily about keeping it clean and avoiding exposure to dirty surfaces, or submerging it in dirty water!
Most tattoos will be considered healed/safe enough to treat it like normal skin again within 3 - 4 weeks. But often inks will take a little while longer to really settle into the skin.
Above all, listen to your tattooer if they give you any special instructions!
When using a bandage
take the bandage off after 5 hours, or sleep with it overnight then wash it with warm water and soap after removing the bandage
wash your tattoo in the morning and evening for 2 weeks
let the tattoo air dry after cleaning it, do not re-wrap the tattoo with any kind of bandaging
after the first 2 days you can start applying a little lotion to make the healing process more comfortable
Keeping your tattoo clean and exposed to air will heal it quickly and safely. The biggest concern is making sure you are not exposing your tattoo to dirty surfaces like shared towels, bedsheets, cute pets sitting or clawing, submerging it in a swimming pool, lake or ocean. You have an open cut and want to keep it clean as possible, these first few weeks are the point at which your tattoo is most vulnerable and when virtually every infection happens.
When using second skin/tegaderm/saniderm
you should try to keep the wrap on for 3 - 5 days, this can be tough because sometimes it will fill with plasma and blood, ideally applying a second skin the day after the tattoo is best!
you can shower and get it wet, but try not to submerge it for sustained periods of time
if the second skin fills with too much blood or plasma you can remove it early and just follow the above instructions
The tattoo should be largely healed by the time the second skin comes off, but be sure to still keep it clean for the few weeks after you get the tattoo.
When removing the second skin its best to pull away from the tattoo and let the strip naturally unlock itself, rather than pull toward the tattoo like removing a bandaid.
Lotions will help you heal more comfortably, but not necessarily better depending on the style of tattoo you have. It’s best to only apply a minimal amount, unless instructed by your tattooer to use a special cream.
With both soaps and lotions try to avoid any fragrance, exfoliants or flavors. The goal is the cleanest medical style lotion you can find.
Example lotions would be Cetaphil, Aveeno, Eucerin.
Example Soaps would be Dial Antibacterial, original Dr. Bronner’s, plain bar soap.
Remember to keep it clean, dry and don’t itch or pick at it during the healing process!