After Care Information

Day 1

After receiving your tattoo, it will be covered with either plastic wrap or a sticky bandage called Saniderm. 

If Plastic wrap was applied, you may leave this on for no longer than 8 hours. 

If Saniderm was applied, you may leave this on for up to 3 days. It is normal to see blood, plasma, and ink pool under the bandage. Remove on the 3rd day while in the shower. If the Saniderm falls off before then, please refer to the following aftercare instructions. You do not need to rewrap the tattoo. 

Once the covering comes off, you’ll probably notice fluid oozing from the tattoo. This is blood, plasma, 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 antibacterial soap. Leave the covering off so the tattoo can heal.

Days 2 to 3

By now, your tattoo will have a duller, cloudier appearance. This happens as your skin begins to heal. Scabs will start to form.

Wash your tattoo once or twice a day with an antibacterial soap, and apply a fragrance-free and alcohol-free moisturizer.

Days 4 to 6

The redness should start to fade.

You’ll probably notice some light scabbing over the tattoo. The scabs should not be as thick as the scabs you get when you cut yourself, but they will be raised. Do not pick at the scabs as this can cause scarring.

Keep washing your tattoo once or twice a day. Apply a light layer of a fragrance-free and alcohol-free moisturizer.

Days 6 to 14

The scabs have hardened and will begin to flake off. Let them come off naturally to avoid poor ink retention and scaring.

At this point, your skin may feel itchy. Gently apply a thin layer of a fragrance-free and alcohol-free moisturizer once or twice a day to relieve the itch. Do not scratch or scrub the tattoo. 

Days 15 to 30

In this last stage of healing, most of the big flakes will be gone and the scabs should be healing. 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 will have 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.

Things to Avoid During the Healing Process:

• Fully submerging your tattoo underwater for the first 2 weeks. This includes baths, swimming, and hot tubs. Showers are fine.
• Excessive sweating for the first 2-3 days after receiving your tattoo. If possible, avoid working out during these days. 
• Prolonged sun exposure. If possible, avoid direct sun exposure in the beginning stages of healing. Once a scab forms, you may apply a thin layer of sunscreen if you plan to be exposed to the sun. 
• Picking at scabs, itching, scrubbing, etc. This can lead to scarring and poor ink retention. 
• Over moisturizing. When using moisturizer in the healing process, only use a very minimal amount to apply a thin layer once or twice a day. Over moisturizing can cause a prolonged healing time.