AFTER CARE

How to heal your new tattoo

General information:

  • Avoid direct sunlight on your tattoo for one month.

  • Don’t put sunscreen on your tattoo for one month.

  • No swimming, pools or hot tubs for 14 days minimum.

  • Don't scratch your tattoo! This may be hard but apply a THIN layer of moisturizer instead. (Recommendations below)

  • In the shower, avoid shampoo, conditioner and body washes from coming into contact with your tattoo. Avoid direct contact with the tattoo under the shower head.

  • After you shower, air dry the tattoo.

  • Avoid pet hair on the tattoo, especially cat hair.

  • Avoid exercise for 2 - 5 days while your tattoo is still an open wound. 

WET HEALING:

SANIDERM/INFINITE BANDAGE/HYPAFIX

24 - 48 Hour Method

Saniderm (semi-permeable plastic membrane) will be applied to your tattoo. 

  • Keep the Saniderm on for 24 - 48 hours.

  • It is very normal for fluids to become trapped under the Saniderm film and for the tattoo to appear quite muddy. This could range from a few dots of blood trapped under the film to larger amounts of black liquid. It varies completely person to person. 

  • If your piece of Saniderm peels up at the edges you may apply a piece of medical tape to the peeled edge to hold it down.

  • You CAN shower while the Saniderm is on you but do not scrub it.

  • Redness under the Saniderm is normal, but anything extreme like welts or rash are not. Contact me asap with clear photos for advice or, if extreme, contact a medical professional.

  • Avoid exercise of any kind while the Saniderm is in place. Sweat and friction will peel the edges up and sweat can react more strongly with the adhesive.

  • Avoid direct heat while Saniderm is on. (Heated seats, heated blankets or pads, etc.) the heat can make your skin more sensitive to the adhesive.

  • - Peel it off in the shower, allowing some water to flow over the area as you peel slowly downwards.

    - It may be painful to pull the Saniderm off, but rest assured it does not stick to the open tattoo, it sticks to the dry skin around it.

    - Your Saniderm may have an imprint of the tattoo left on it - this is normal. You didn't tear out any ink.

    - If adhesive residue sticks around, take some coconut oil on clean hands and remove the excess gently.

  • Largely you should be through the worst of the healing. Your tattoo may peel, it may not. Clients often experience quite a bit of itchiness. You can moisturize with an unscented lotion if it is dry and itchy, but otherwise you are safe to leave it alone other than to give it a good wash once per day with unscented soap dispensed from a pump bottle.

DRY HEALING

AFTER 3-5 HOURS: 

  • you can remove your bandage with clean, dry hands. Throw the bandage in the trash immediately and then immediately wash your hands again. 

  • Wash your tattoo thoroughly with an unscented soap (soap recommendation below) and gently pat it dry with clean paper towel. Avoid fabric towels that have been previously used. DO NOT moisturize it yet! Moisturizing too early is the #1 cause of heat rash and irritation to fresh tattoos.

  • With clean hands, you may wrap your cleaned and dried tattoo with seran wrap and sleep with it on. In the morning, gently wash off any lymph/blood/ink left on your skin. 

  • Wash your tattoo once. Do NOT apply a moisturizer to your tattoo until it begins peeling. Moisturizing too early is the #1 cause of heat rash and irritation to fresh tattoos.

  • - With clean hands, you may wrap your cleaned and dried tattoo with seran wrap and sleep with it on.

    - Your tattoo will peel and scab after about 3 days and should last for another 3 - 5 days afterwards depending on the style and size of your piece. This is normal!

    - Do not pick it If it's itchy, you can apply an unscented moisturizer (moisturizer recommendation below).

SOAP & MOISTURIZER

Any gentle, unscented products for sensitive skin will do.
Here are some recommendations:

Unscented soap common brands:
Dove, Neutrogena, Aveeno

My personal fave:
Rocky Mountain soap co. scent-free bar soap (available at most natural food stores like Herb & Spice on Bank St.)

Unscented moisturizer common brands: Aveeno, Lubriderm, Aquaphor, Glysomed, A&D ointment

My personal fave:
I personally use a THIN LAYER of organic coconut oil on my tattoos. Nothing else. 

DO NOT USE:

Vitamin E oil, Undiluted essential oils, Acne cleansers (spectro gel), Anything with hyaluronic or salicylic acid, Anything with perfume or scent.