Aftercare
Congratulations on your new tattoo! By following these simple instructions, the healing process should be quick and easy.
Keep the bandage on overnight, at a minimum. At the most, keep the bandage on for 24 hours.
Keep the bandage on overnight, at a minimum. At the most, keep the bandage on for 24 hours.
Bandage Removal:
- Get in a nice hot, steamy shower and hang out for a few minutes, allowing your pores to open.
- Using a mild, unscented soap, and hot water, wash off your tattoo using ONLY YOUR HAND and small circular movements. Don’t rub!
- Wash the tattoo off until you have removed all the blood, excess ink and plasma.
- Rinse with the hot water. The tattoo should feel like normal skin when it’s been properly washed off.
- If the tattoo still feels “slimy”, give it another wash off using the hot water, unscented soap and your hand, until it feels normal.
- Either let your tattoo air dry, or using a clean towel you can pat it dry GENTLY.
- Keep the tattoo clean, washing it once or twice a day, or if it has gotten dirty/sweaty for at least a week.
- Do not rub the tattoo with the towel at any point during healing.
- After about 2-3 days, your tattoo should have started to dry out and flake a bit (almost like a sunburn). Be careful that you do not let it get so dry it cracks. Using a small amount of unscented lotion (like Glaxobase) will prevent this.
- No swimming, bath tubs, saunas, hot tubs, sun or UV exposure until the tattoo is FULLY healed, and feels like regular skin again.
- Avoid working out/exercising for about 5-7 days. Doing so during the healing process can damage your tattoo or lead to infection.
- Do not re-bandage your tattoo. It needs the air exposure to start to heal.
- Do not let anything rub on your tattoo while it is healing. Ie. watches, bra straps, jewelry, etc.
- Do not touch your tattoo with dirty hands.
- Wear loose clothing (preferably cotton) and avoid constricting accessories like bra straps and tight waistbands over a fresh tattoo. Avoid dirty, sweaty or itchy clothing as they can create healing problems.
- Once completely healed, use a high SPF sunscreen on your tattoo and/or cover it whenever it is exposed to the sun or UV light.