Your tattoo has been covered with a bandage for a good reason – to keep bacteria from invading your tattoo/wound. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of two hours and at maximum of six hours. Even though you may be tempted to show it off – keep it covered! 

Tip- If the bandage is stuck to your tattoo, wet the bandage, pat it gently until it releases – NEVER pull a stuck bandage off of your tattoo, it could pull out ink, hurting you and your tattoo.

Immediately after you remove the bandage you will need to wash your new tattoo. After washing your hands, use warm water and a mild hypoallergenic soap to gently wash away any remaining ointment, dried blood and/or plasma and clean the entire tattooed area and surrounding skin. Do not let water run directly on the tattoo for more than ten minutes. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool. Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel. NO rubbing! Be gentle.

If your tattoo still feels slippery it may have been oozing plasma. Gently remove as much as possible, when plasma dries it causes scabbing. Scabbing is sometimes inevitable on large fill in areas, but it is NOT optimal and steps should be taken whenever possible to prevent scabbing. Following these guidelines carefully is the first step to prevent scabbing. 

After washing, apply a thin layer of A&D vitamin enriched ointment, distribute it just to the edges of the tattoo. Always use a product that you feel comfortable with and know you’re not allergic to. If A&D poses a problem for you talk with your Artist about alternatives, as you will need an ointment to apply for the first several days.

Do not re-bandage your tattoo. Like all wounds it needs to breath in order to heal properly. The only time you will need to cover your healing tattoo is when work or play conditions will be dirty (farming, construction, kitchen/restaurant and the like) The best option at this point would be cloth/clothing, which will still allow your healing tattoo to breath. Choose soft cotton clothes for the first week and avoid polyester and other non-breathing fabrics. Watch out for bra straps, tight waistbands, etc. which may chafe.

Also remember to support your immune system for the first week or so of healing. For some, a new tattoo can be a strain on the immune system and it is always wise to take really good care of your entire body while your tattoo heals. Drink lot’s of water and eat healthily!

Always wash your hands before touching your healing tattoo!

Your tattoo will take ten days to three weeks to heal completely, depending on its size and complexity. During the healing process you may experience some of the following, depending on your tattoo site and type of skin: bruising, itching, peeling or scabbing and you may feel like you have a sun burn. Understanding this information and getting into a good rhythm with your aftercare routine will ensure safe optimal healing and won’t be an inconvenience. Your tattoo can continue to seep during this time. It's important to thoroughly wash and blot away any seepage so that the tattoo does not get crusty. 

Wash, blot and ointment the tattoo as described at least two to three times a day and immediately after any exercise or dirty work.

Days 2-3. Ointment can be applied whenever your tattoo feels stiff or dry and after washing, 3-4 times a day. Beware of over moisturizing - your tattoo needs just the right balance of moisture and air to heal well. When ointment is applied it should be in a very thin layer so that the skin can still breathe. Your skin will form a protective layer no matter what you do. The trick is to find the right balance for your skin to avoid deep scabbing. If the skin is too dry it could crack when you move, forming a deep wound which could lead to an infection if not cared for properly. If your soap is irritating your tattoo site or the surrounding skin, simply use warm water. Too much soap can irritate – only use a tiny amount! If you start breaking out around the tattoo, switch immediately to lotion and keep the layer thin.

 You’ve made it to day 4! You can reduce the number of times that you wash your tattoo to one to two times a day (still washing any time after exercise or grubby work). Now is a good time to switch from ointment*, to a gentle, unscented, white body lotion or high quality skin care oil such as jojoba or shea butter. We’ve found these types to be effective: AVEENO sensitive skin, CETAPHIL (sensitive skin types, AQUAPHOR etc. You may also use any brand you trust as long as it’s marked “for sensitive skin”, most body lotions labeled as such are free from harsh perfumes and dyes that can wreak havoc on healing skin! Always read ingredients on body products and choose one that suits your lifestyle and needs. 

Your tattoo will usually peel between now and the end of the first week, peeling time varies with the area of the body and from person to person. When your tattoo does peel, it is normal to have large pieces of skin flakes (like a sunburn) come off on your clothes, etc. Do not hasten the peeling process by picking or scratching. Additionally, it's completely normal to have secondary peeling and dryness on your tattoo for up to a month. Continue to use lotion/oil as needed during this time. Follow this routine until your tattoo is completely healed. You will notice a delicate new layer of skin over the tattoo, and there may be a slight “frayed” look to the skin right next to the tattoo edges when healing is complete. We recommend this routine for three weeks solid even if you think your tattoo has healed all the way; doing this will help you enjoy your tattoo for a lifetime!

Absolutely NO SCRATCHING! If you scratch you will pull ink out of your tattoo and the result will be a blotchy effect. If you can’t stand the itch - pat or gently slap the area a bit and see if that helps. Itching is a sign that your body is in the final stages of healing up and no cause for alarm, just slightly annoying. Scratching can also result in a staph infection, as Staphylococcus can hang out under fingernails. Also NO rubbing or picking of scabs! Avoid swimming & soaking the tattooed area in bath or hot tubs. Avoid any prolonged direct sunlight on your healing tattoo; if you will be out in the sun for work or play; cover the tattooed area with a clean, soft & breathable fabric, such as cotton or silk. You can also wrap the area lightly with clean cotton gauze; remember that your tattoo needs to breath for optimal healing. Over exposure to sunlight will damage healing tattoos, as well as cause fading, blistering or scarring. 

THE BIG DO’S! 

 Be mindful and attentive, listen to your body.

Remember the possible side effects and don’t hesitate to call your artist if you are concerned about any of the following: allergic reactions to ink, scarring, bruising and rash or other irritations. 

Use sun screen on your tattoo starting either once your tattoo is completely healed or at four weeks, whichever is longer. Even if you don’t use it routinely on your entire body, sun screen will help protect the pigments in you skin from fading. Even the best artist's work can be faded in one summer on the beach with no sun block. Your tattoo is like a poster in a window that gets sun everyday - within a few months of exposure the colors can completely changed.

Watch for signs of infection including but not limited to excessive redness, swelling, severe itching, pus at the tattoo site and or fever. If you have any of these signs or symptoms of an infection, please contact your artist and health care provider immediately.