The Bandage:
Leave the bandage on the tattoo for a minimum of 4 hours. This gives the tattoo, a wound, the chance to close and protect itself from bacteria or any other contaminants in your environment. You can leave the bandage on for longer, but no longer than 12 hours, as the tattoo needs to be cleaned, and needs air to heal.
I occasionally use different types of bandages, such as absorbent pads, barrier film, or a breathable adhesive membrane (tegaderm, saniderm, etc), depending on specific situations. I will discuss your specific situation and bandage with you, but the process described above is generally the safest for most people
Many clients find it helpful to apply a cold compress to their tattoo when they get home, before removing their bandage. This can reduce swelling, soothe pain, and help jumpstart your healing process. Do not put ice or cold compress directly against your skin. Make sure you have both an insulating layer and a moisture barrier between your tattoo and the cold compress. Depending on the type of bandage you are using, you may need to place a layer of fabric or plastic between it and the cold compress. Apply the cold compress for up to 20 minutes at a time and let your skin return to normal temperature before reapplying.
Remove the bandage with warm water. This helps loosen adhesive and dissolve any coagulated fluids (blood, plasma, lymph) that may have stuck the bandage to the tattoo. For larger bandages this is best done in the shower. Make sure the water isn’t too hot, and keep the shower spray from directly hitting the fresh tattoo once the bandage is off.
Cleaning Your Fresh Tattoo:
Gently, but thoroughly wash your fresh tattoo once per day until it is healed. Otherwise keep it clean and dry.
I recommend original Dawn hand dishwashing liquid to clean your fresh tattoo, as it is mild, non-drying, and hypoallergenic. I recommend against using any soaps labeled “antibacterial” or “natural” on your fresh tattoo.
When you clean your tattoo, use only suds on your clean fingertips. Wiping it with anything will further stress the skin and could lengthen the healing process or damage the tattoo. Stay away from loofas or any kind of sponges, washcloths or shower poufs. Besides the above mentioned damage they could cause, they may harbor bacteria that could infect or damage the tattoo.
Gently pat your tattoo dry with a fresh paper towel. Then let the tattoo air dry for 30-45 minutes before applying any moisturizer. This allows moisture and heat to leave the skin. If you apply ointment before the skin has had a chance to cool and reach its normal moisture balance, it can trap heat and excess moisture in the skin, causing a heat rash or other problems with the healing process. Heat rash consists of small, red, blistery bumps. It is painful and can damage the tattoo.
Moisturizing:
For the first 2-3 days, use ointment very sparingly. Some people have the best results using no ointment or moisturizer at all during this period. If you prefer to moisturize right away, Aquaphor or A&D ointment are both acceptable. I have ointment packets available for free.
After 2-3 days, or when the tattoo begins to peel, switch to a completely plain moisturizing lotion. I recommend plain Lubriderm lotion.
Apply a tiny amount of moisturizer, rubbing it in very gently. Do not leave your tattoo looking shiny. If it is shiny after moisturizing, use a tissue to dab off the excess moisturizer. Moisturize as needed until your tattoo is fully healed. This should take 2 to 4 weeks. I recommend moisturizing whenever you feel your tattoo starting to feel “tight” or itchy. Itching is often associated with dryness, and this practice has the added benefit of helping you avoid scratching your tattoo.
For those who prefer to use plant-based products:
Be certain that you are not allergic to any given product before applying it to your fresh tattoo. It will more easily absorb into your skin here than during normal use.
The best plant-based product I’ve come across for tattoo care is pure, organic, unrefined shea butter. Start by melting a small amount of it in your hand. Otherwise use it in the same way as the moisturizing products directed above.
I still find Dawn to be gentler and more effective than any plant-based soaps, and I have tried many. I do not recommend using plant-based soaps on your tattoo before it is healed. Dr Bronner’s liquid soap can be especially harsh when used full strength. Hand-made and small batch or craft soaps can contain harsh chemical residuals.
Peeling and Itching:
A tattoo usually begins peeling between days 3 and 5.
Under no circumstances should you try to scrub the skin off, pick, or scratch at it. Allow the tattoo to peel slowly. Continue to wash it gently and moisturize it as directed above. Moisturizing it is important; any dried out portions of the tattoo can cause scabs to form or stiffness in the skin as it is healing, which cause light spots in the tattoo that take longer to heal. Still, do not over-moisturize. See the section above.
The tattoo will almost certainly itch. It is normal for healing tattoos to itch. Embrace the sensation. Do not scratch!
Itching is often the first indication the tattoo is getting dry. Apply moisturizer, and if that doesn’t soothe the itching, you can lightly tap the area AROUND the tattoo, but nothing more. It is normal for a healing tattoo to itch for around 7 days.
Most tattoos fully heal in 2-4 weeks.
Things to Avoid:
- Standing water of any kind. Also avoid showers or steam longer than 5 minutes.
- Tight, abrasive, or restrictive clothing. Anything with straps or elastic near a healing tattoo. Change any clothing immediately that rubs, presses, or pulls on your tattoo.
- Public gyms, spas, pools, etc where people touch skin to a lot of the same surfaces.
- Excessive or repetitive movement of the tattooed skin, as in certain kinds of work, sports, or exercise.
- Direct Sunlight:
- Keep your tattoo out of the sun until it’s fully healed.
- Once the tattoo is healed apply SPF 50 or higher sunblock hourly any time your tattoo will be exposed to direct sunlight.
- All it takes is an hour in the sun with the tattoo unprotected before you can start to notice a visible fading of the tattoo.
- If you are coming back for an additional tattoo session, continue to keep the area out of direct sunlight until your tattoo is completely finished and healed.
Contact a healthcare professional immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Increased redness
- Increased swelling
- Increased discharge
- Increased pain.
If you have any questions during your healing process,
PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY (Not your friends or the internet).
Send me a voicemail or text message at: 970-880-5656.
I will get back to you as soon as I can.