CARING FOR YOUR NEW TATTOO
You’ve got a fresh tattoo! Congrats! Now let’s make sure it stays looking great for years to come.
Keep your bandage on for at least two hours after tattooing.
It’s time to remove the bandage.
Step 1: Wash your hands. Use an antibacterial soap with minimal fragrance.
Step 2: Carefully remove the bandage. If the bandage is sticking to the skin, wet it with warm water and slide it off.
Step 3: Make a lather in your hands with the soap and warm water.
Step 4: Gently clean the tattoo using a circular motion until the ointment and plasma are removed. Don’t scrub. Do not use a washcloth or towel.
Step 5: Rinse your skin until the tattoo area is clean.
Step 6: Pat dry with a clean towel, then air dry for at least ten minutes.
Step 7: Once dry, apply a very thin coat of Aquaphor. Gently rub this into your tattooed skin. Remove any excess with a paper towel.
Once you have removed the bandage, there is no need to re-apply a bandage. Your tattoo needs to breath to heal. But remember that your tattoo is an open wound and avoid getting it dirty.
Repeat this step each day in the shower for the first two to three days.
Bandage Removal
Your tattoo can continue to bleed for hours after you remove the bandage. If this is the case, be very careful when exposing it to fabric. Dried blood will stick to fabric and can be painful to remove. If this happens, be very gentle when removing the fabric. Don’t just rip it off your skin. You can apply warm water to help soften the blood and fabric.
Tattoos may weep, which is when the ink forms a thin coating on the skin. If this happens, you can dab the skin with a clean paper towel or cloth. Don’t wipe - gently dab. Your skin is secreting the excess ink, which may result in staining. Be sure to wear dark clothing and use dark sheets to avoid stains.
Bleeding and Weeping
Apply a thin layer of the healing ointment two to three times a day for the first week OR until your tattoo begins to flake or peel.
When the peeling begins, switch from Aquaphor to a fragrance free lotion for the next two weeks.
After the first few days, your skin may begin to scab over or become itchy. Avoid the urge to scratch or peel the scabs. They will fall off on their own, and by scratching or peeling you can damage the art itself.
Avoid soaking your tattoo in water for the first few weeks. This means no baths or swimming sessions.
Avoid direct sunlight for at least two weeks after tattooing. After that, use a high SPF sunblock on your tattoo to protect it.
Don’t work out until three or four days after your tattoo session. When you do work out, be sure to thoroughly clean gym equipment and clean your tattoo afterward.
Avoid tight or itchy clothing on your tattooed skin. This can irritate the tattoo and cause healing issues.