Tattoo Aftercare

Suggested Shopping List

  • Aquaphor brand healing ointment in a squeeze tube or single use packet.

  • Dial Gold or Softsoap Antibacterial liquid soap.

  • Eucerin healing cream or CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion.

  • Single use paper towels.

Day 1

Congrats on the new tattoo! You’ll leave the shop with your tattoo clean and bandaged. It will be either in plastic wrap or with a sticky dermal bandage. With a dermal bandage you can skip to Day 4-7. If you are wearing plastic wrap, leave it on for about 2 hours or until you get home. Then wash well, dab on a very light layer of ointment and repeat before bedtime.

Day 2-4

Your tattoo will be very tender and require attention. You should make arrangements to wash and add ointment to your tattoo about 3 times a day.Please avoid exposing your tattoo in busy public places like the gym or the airport. Submerging in water is no-go, but showering is just fine. Remember to use a paper towel instead of a bath towel to dry the tattoo.

Day 4-7

If you are wearing a dermal bandage, you can now check to see if the liquid under the bandage has started to dry up. If so, remove the bandage under warm running water then wash and rinse well (can take up to three passes.) With either method, you can now begin to wash the tattoo 1-2 times per day and use ample lotion throughout the day to keep it moisturized and prevent severe itching. Continue protecting your tattoo by wearing clothing over it.

Day 7-21

Your top layers of skin are healed and the lower layers will continue to heal over the next 1-2 weeks. Deep itching, scabbing and skin peeling is normal - but do not scratch or pick at the tattoo. Continue protecting your tattoo by wearing clothing over it. After the peeling phase, you can return to normal activities.

Touch Up

At some point between 3 weeks and 3 months you can head back in for a touch and or healed pictures. Your free touch-up offer is good for one year from the date of your original appointment.

Longevity

Wear your sunscreen! Protection from UVA and UVB rays will extend the life of your tattoo.

The more you go through the tattoo healing process, the more you will learn about products and methods that best suit your body and lifestyle. Trust yourself and enjoy finding what works best for you!