Once your tattoo has been completed, you will either be bandaged with a disposable underpad or Tegaderm patch.
If bandaged with an underpad, take it off after 24 hours and follow the instructions below.
If bandaged with a Tegaderm patch leave on for 72 hrs, then follow the instructions below.
Once the bandage is removed, please wash with a natural glycerin unscented soap, for the purpose of multi-day tattoo sessions, a cleaning with cold water will help with inflammation and help speed up the process of healing your tattoo.
ALWAYS wash your hands prior to touching your tattoo for any reason whatsoever.
Continue to wash your tattoo 2 to 3 times a day at most for the next week.
When your tattoo is healing properly, you will notice flaking of your skin, not unlike a bad sunburn peeling. During this process, your skin may become tight, itchy, and dry, you're able to use an unscented, basic hand lotion, like Lubriderm or Aquaphor to help relieve the skin. Again, please do not apply lotion, unless you wash your hands prior.
During the initial healing period (one or two weeks), please try your best to: avoid sunlight and submerging your tattoo (other than washing it). This means no baths, hot tubs, or swimming.
Below are a few special considerations to be aware of while healing your new tattoo:
Upon returning home the day of completing your Tattoo, you may want to consider changing your bedsheets. This will help get rid of any unwanted bacteria that could interfere with the healing of your tattoo, this is especially true if you have pets.
If you’re wearing a Tegaderm patch, you may notice ink pooling in certain pieces of the bandage, you may poke a small pinhole in these areas and drain the excess ink.
If the extra weepage of your tattoo underneath the Tegaderm bandage becomes too much to manage, you may remove and follow the above, set out after care instructions.
Do not be afraid to ice your tattoo, this can help manage the pain of your new tattoo, this can also help relieve the swelling in the area.
