Tattoo AfterCare

Our staff is certified in both, blood-borne pathogen and cross-contamination prevention training. It is our job to ensure that your tattoo has been applied in a clean environment using the most up to date sterile techniques.  We practice universal safety precautions and use single service equipment.  It is now your job to heal your tattoo properly and your responsibility to ensure a good heal.  Your new tattoo is basically an open wound and will take about 10 to 14 days to heal.  Until then, please treat it like one.  Especially, do not in any way contaminate your new tattoo.  This means wash your hands before applying lotion, and never let anyone else touch or breathe on your new tattoo.  Follow instructions below.

·         Always remember to wash your hands before and after cleaning or applying Tattoo Aftercare ointment or unscented lotion to your new tattoo.

·         Remove your bandage after 1-2 hours.  Wash your tattoo at this time.  DO NOT put another bandage on.

·         The first washing is very important.  Make a good lather with DIAL antibacterial soap and warm water, using your fingertips to remove all blood and secretions.  This is important as any secretions left behind will form a scab.  If you don’t scab, you’ll heal more quickly.

·         Please be careful and pat your tattoo dry.  Don’t rub it with a towel or washcloth.  After washing your tattoo, let it dry for ½ hour to 1 hour, then apply a thin layer of unscented lotion.  Each day, your tattoo will dry out a little more and require more frequent applications of unscented lotion.

·         Your tattoo will visibly dry out, start peeling, and possibly scab where heavy amounts of ink were put in.  Do not pick, scratch, or rub the peeling skin/scabs; they will fall off on their own.  If you try to pull any pieces that appear loose, you may end up pulling out color.

·         Once the peeling stage begins, your tattoo will begin to itch.  Itching is a sign of healing.  Please don’t scratch.  To relieve the itchiness, lightly slap or pat your tattoo.

·         Be sure to allow your tattoo to “breathe”.  Don’t wear tight-fitting clothing over it until it heals.

·         Absolutely no swimming, soaking the tattoo in hot tubs/baths, or direct sunlight for at least 2 weeks.  It is best to use sunscreen for the life of your tattoo

·         Do not wear dry-cleaned clothing over your tattoo for 2 ½ weeks.

Take care of your new tattoo to ensure that it heals properly, after all its only 2 weeks! Any questions?

TATTOO AFTERCARE-CLEAR BANDAGE

Keep the first applied bandage on for anywhere from 3-24 hrs. depending on how much the wound is weeping. Replace within 24 hrs. It's fine if there is some plasma/blood/lymph fluid buildup under the bandage during this period, but don't leave it longer than 24 hrs.

REMOVAL AND REAPPLICATION OF 2ND BANDAGE

To remove, find an edge of the bandage and pull it back over itself in the direction of the hair growth. The shower is the ideal place to remove the bandage. Running water will help loosen the adhesive and relax the skin, making the removal much more comfortable. Dry removal may cause discomfort and added trauma to the skin. Discard the used bandage and wash the tattoo with antibacterial soap-fragrance free. Allow the tattoo to air dry or pat dry with a clean towel. Apply a second bandage by following the application steps listed below. You can purchase replacement Saniderm on Amazon, Walmart or Target. Sometimes it's called Teccaderm or View Guard.

ADDITIONAL REMOVAL AND REAPPLICATION INFORMATION:

Keep this second bandage on for 3-6 days-the full six days being ideal. If the skin appears irritated, there is fluid buildup, or the bandage is coming off, it's okay to remove the bandage sooner rather than later. Do no reapply any more bandages after the scabbing/flaking phase of tattoo healing has begun. If you find yourself bandage-less during this phase, make sure you're keeping the area thoroughly moisturized. If there is adhesive residue leftover on the skin, or the adhesive is not loosening enough with water, coconut oil and baby oil are helpful for removal.

CARING FOR YOUR NEW TATTOO AFTER REMOVING THE BANDAGE

Once the final bandage has been removed, continue caring for the tattoo by washing and moisturizing as needed, until the tattoo is fully healed. The tattoo may appear to be fully healed on the surface once your second bandage comes off. However, deeper layers of skin will still be repairing for 2-4 months. We recommend a good moisturizing regimen for this entire period.

WEARING THE BANDAGE WHILE SHOWERING, SWIMMING AND EXCERSICING

Showering while wearing the bandage is fine, but it's best to keep the time spent in the shower to a minimum. Water may weaken the adhesive of the bandage, which allows for unwanted contaminants to enter the bandage, putting you at higher risk for infection. It's also important to keep an eye on the temperature of the water. Too much heat can separate the bandage from the skin, inflame the skin, and irritate the tattoo. For these reasons, bathing, swimming, or fully submerging a tattoo dressed in Saniderm is strongly discouraged. Light exercise while wearing the bandage is fine, but avoid activity that causes excessive sweating. Just as water will weaken the adhesion of the bandage, so will sweat and any other significant amount of fluid. Try to keep the bandage as clean and dry as possible until it's time to remove it.