Proper Tattoo Aftercare
Day 1
- You’ll come home from the tattoo studio with a bandage or plastic wrap over your tattoo. After a few hours, you can remove it.
- You should ask your artist for specifics about how long to wait. Recommendations will vary and may be based on the type and size of your tattoo. Some tattoo artists suggest that you only keep your tattoo covered for 1 or 2 hours.
- We also offer a DermShield covering that will stay on for 3-5 days and then be removed and followed up with non-scented anti-bacterial soap and a non-scented lotion.
- Once the covering comes off, you’ll probably notice fluid oozing from the tattoo. This is blood, plasma (the clear part of blood), and some extra ink. It’s normal. Your skin will also be red and sore. It might feel slightly warm to the touch.
- With clean hands, wash the tattoo with warm water and a anti-bacterial and fragrance-free soap. Apply a fragrance-free healing ointment for the first 3-5 days (exclude if you were given DermShield). After that use alcohol-free moisturizer. after washing. Leave the covering off so the tattoo can heal.
Day 2 to 3
- By now, your tattoo will have a duller, cloudier appearance. This happens as your skin heals. Scabs will start to form.
- Wash your tattoo two or three times a day, and apply healing ointment (first 3-5 days). Then switch to a fragrance-free moisturizer.
- When you wash, you might notice some ink running into the sink. This is just excess ink that’s come up through your skin.
Day 4 to 6
- The redness should start to fade.
- You’ll probably notice some light scabbing over the tattoo. The scabs shouldn’t be as thick as the scabs you get when you cut yourself, but they’ll be raised. Don’t pick at the scabs — this can cause scarring.
- Keep washing your tattoo once or twice a day. Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer.
Day 7 to 14
- The scabs have hardened and will begin to flake off.
- Don’t pick at them or try to pull them off. Let them come off naturally. Otherwise, you could pull out the ink and leave scars.
- At this point, your skin may feel very itchy. Gently rub on a fragrance-free moisturizer several times a day to relieve the itch.
- If your tattoo is still red and swollen at this point, you might have an infection. Go back to your tattoo artist or see a doctor.
Day 15 to 30
- In this last stage of healing, most of the big flakes will be gone and the scabs should be going away. -You might still see some dead skin, but it should eventually clear up too.
- The tattooed area might still look dry and dull. Keep moisturizing until the skin looks hydrated again.
- By the second or third week, the outer layers of skin should’ve healed. It may take 3 to 4 months for the lower layers to completely heal.
- By the end of your third month, the tattoo should look as bright and vivid as the artist intended.
Do's, Don'ts and Longterm Care
Do's While Your Tattoo Is Healing:
- Wear clothing to cover tattoo and keep out of the sun. Do not wear excessively tight clothing.
- Keep your tattoo clean and free from dirt, sweat, grime and pet/animal hair.
Don'ts While Your Tattoo Is Healing:
- Keep your tattoo in the sun for long periods of time.
- Submerge your body into bodies of water (lakes, pools, bathtubs, ocean, hot tubs, etc.).
- Use any kind of fragrance with your soap, ointment or moisturizer.
- Pick at any scabs or peeling.
Longterm Care:
- Continue to keep your skin moisturized and keep your tattoo out of the sun for the best results.
- Please let your artist know if you are in need of touch ups (artists will have different policies regarding touch ups)