Aftercare Instructions
These instructions will be verbally communicated to you at the end of your procedure, and we are happy to answer any questions regarding your tattoo healing process via e-mail.
Leave the protective wrapping on your tattoo for the next 2-3 hours. After you are home for the night, gently wash your tattoo with Gold Dial Antibacterial Soap in the shower. Let the tattoo air dry for the rest of the evening *do not wrap it again during the entire healing process*. Wear loose-fitting clothing to protect your tattoo during the healing process.
Day 2: Begin applying Unscented lotion: CETAPHIL (My #1 recommended brand), Burts Bees or Aveeno work great, NOT Aquaphor. I recommend using lotion instead of gelatin-based products because it allows the skin to breath, and also absorbs into the skin instead of resting on top of it. This prevents scabs from being too moist, and ripping off too soon which can cause ink loss, and potential scarring. Lotion 2-3 times a day for a minimum of 2 weeks, but not limited to the entire first month of healing your new tattoo. Continue to gently wash with the Dial soap until the tattoo is no longer an open wound. NO sun exposure, or exposure to bodies of water for the first month of your new tattoo (this includes bath tubs, hot tubs, hot springs, the ocean). WEAR SUN BLOCK FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IF YOU WANT YOUR TATTOO TO REMAIN PRETTY. :-)
Instructions for Second Skin/Sani-Derm clear bandage: Leave the bandage on for 1-5 days (ideally 3-5 days), unless otherwise directed by your artist. When the bandage is ready to come off, do so under running water- you can use coconut oil or lotion around the edges to lift the bandage up gently, pulling away from your body. Do not rip the bandage off aggressively, as this could result in ink fall-out depending on which day you are taking the bandage off. Once the bandage is removed, disinfect with anti-bacterial soap, and start using unscented lotion twice a day for the next 3-4 weeks, following the above aftercare instructions.
Reasons to take off your bandage sooner than 3-5 days: if you notice sweat beading underneath, an excess of plasma (normal minimal tattoo leakage is okay! but anything that looks like a large pocket of fluid will warrant removal of the bandage), any tears, puncture, or lifting of the bandage that can potentially allow bacteria to enter. Allergic reactions: discomfort/redness around the edges of the bandage, in rare cases blistering, are also reasons to take the bandage off. Reach out to your tattoo artist if you have questions regarding an allergic reaction, typically this will not affect the tattoo and can be resolved by using benadryl cream.