After-Care Tips!
- Congratulations on your new tattoo! Below will provide you with some tips on how to best care for your tattoo!
If you have any questions you can contact us via web, email, call, or stop in.
Before you begin any kind of after care, it is important you thoroughly wash your hands with antibacterial soap.
Cleaning; After your tattoo is completed and wrapped, you will need to keep it covered for two hours. No more no less. This is ample time for your tattoo to settle in. Avoid leaving it wrapped for longer than two hours. With clean hands, unwrap your tattoo and gently wash it under lukewarm water. You must use antibacterial and unscented soap (no bar soaps, pumps only) Dial Antibacterial Gold Soap is highly recommended.
Once clean, gently pat dry your tattoo with a clean disposable paper towel (no towels or cloths). For the next two weeks (until fully healed) you will wash your tattoo in this order twice a day. It’s important to be extremely gentle during this process. Do not attempt to scrub/wash off the peeling or healing skin. Your tattoo is a wound, wash with caution and care.
Moisturizing; Alongside keeping the tattoo clean, it's important to moisturize it. Be sure to moisturize 2-3 times a day! (Recommended to moisturize after cleaning) Once you notice a pulling or tight sensation over your tattoo, this is a good sign you may need to moisturize!
Use a lightweight and unscented lotion like lubriderm. Be sure to avoid any products for “Extra dry skin” “eczema” or any oatmeal or herb infused lotions. Keep it simple and unscented . When moisturizing, be gentle, do not rub it in aggressively, to avoid any irritation or loss of pigment. Do not attempt to rub off the flakes of your healing tattoo, or oversaturate it with lotion. Your tattoo should not look glossy or feel oily. This may be an indicator or over-moisturizing.
FAQ: Why is my tattoo peeling?
This happens with every tattoo around the 3-5 day period of having your tattoo and can occur until fully healed. Your body is generating new skin over the tattoo! This is normal. It’s important to avoid touching, scratching, picking, itching or trying to rub off the flakes. Let your skin naturally heal!
Can I workout/be outdoors/swim?
It is best to avoid any physical exertion during healing! Sweating or friction caused from excessive movement can cause irritation and a loss of pigment. You especially want to avoid outdoor activities due to sun exposure. You want to let your tattoo completely heal before letting it be exposed to the sun! Once your tattoo is fully healed (4-6 weeks) it's important to apply sunscreen / spf to preserve the tattoo!
As far as swimming goes, you must avoid any pools, lakes etc. (including baths, showering is okay!) until your tattoo is completely healed. Any submerging of water, or foreign waters that are introduced into your open tattoo can cause irritation, loss of pigmentation, and infection.
Why is my tattoo “leaking”?
Any fluids that seem to “ooze out” of your tattoo is plasma! Our body sees this tattoo as a possible wound and will work hard to create more blood flow to heal the “damaged skin” aka your tattoo! This is completely normal!
Remember, your tattoo is an open wound! It takes two weeks to scab over, four weeks to heal, and 6 weeks to be fully healed. Be gentle and keep your tattoo clean! Tattoos are investments and it's up to you to care for them!
General Tips + Product Recommendations
- Do not touch your tattoos as they are healing. Do not allow others to touch your tattoo.
- Avoid wearing any tight clothing over your healing tattoo. If you can, avoid any clothing coverage of your tattoo (jackets, long sleeves, long pants etc.) this is subject to placement! And of course not an obligation, but a recommendation to best heal your tattoo.
- Product recommendation ; “Dial Complete Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap, Gold” + “Lubriderm Daily Moisture (all skin types) Fragrance Free”
This tattoo is your responsibility to heal. If healed improperly or poorly, you are not subject to a touch up / free touch up. Any touch up work needed due to negligence will be done at your own expense.
Thank you!