AFTERCARE

Your tattoo doesn’t stop at the shop — how you care for it in the next few weeks makes all the difference. Your tattoo is a fresh wound and a forever piece of art, treat it like both.

Here’s everything you need to keep your new ink healing beautifully.

You'll notice there are two sections - Plastic Wrap and Recovery Dermshield. Please utilize the instructions that go with the healing method we chose at your appointment.

Plastic Wrap

This method is best for folks with adhesive allergies or areas where bandages just don’t stick well (like hands, necks, or feet).

Day 1: Right After Your Appointment

Leave the plastic wrap on for 1–3 hours max — your tattoo needs to breathe to start healing.
Once removed, wash your hands first, then gently wash your tattoo using lukewarm water and unscented antibacterial soap.
- If you don’t have a go-to, Dial Gold is a solid, affordable option.
Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel — do not use a bath towel.
Let your tattoo air dry for 7–10 minutes.
Apply a thin layer of Aquaphor — a pea-sized amount, fully rubbed in until the skin is moisturized but not shiny or wet.
→ We want your tattoo healthy and hydrated, not wet — excess moisture invites bacteria.

Days 2–3: Peeling Begins

Your tattoo may start to peel or flake — this is normal. Do not peel or pick at the flaking areas. This can pull out ink and cause damage to the tattoo.
Once you start to notice the peeling, switch from Aquaphor to a light unscented lotion like:
- Aveeno, Lubriderm, or Eucerin (fragrance-free only).
Continue washing your tattoo gently once or twice a day, and apply only a tiny amount of lotion afterward — always rubbed in completely.
If your tattoo feels itchy or dry, you can gently clean it and reapply lotion for relief.
→ Please don’t scratch or pick — even if it’s tempting.

Weeks 1-4: Final Healing Stages

No swimming, soaking, hot tubs, or baths for 4 full weeks.
No sun exposure or sunscreen on the tattoo for 4 full weeks.
No workouts, heavy sweating, or stretching the area for at least 5 days.
Avoid tight or dirty clothing rubbing against the tattoo.
Your tattoo may look shiny, flaky, or a little dull during healing — that’s normal.

Final Notes

Healing takes 4-6 weeks, sometimes longer or shorter depending on placement and skin type.
Needing a little touch up? No worries! That can happen after the 6 week healing period.
If you notice signs of infection (spreading redness, swelling, pus, excessive heat), reach out to me or a healthcare provider.

Recovery DermShield (Adhesive Bandage)

This breathable, medical-grade adhesive film helps protect your tattoo like a second skin. It can can help reduce scabbing, irritation, and contamination — but only if the seal stays intact. Here’s how to care for it properly:

Day 1-3: While the Bandage Is On

Leave the bandage on for up to 3 days.
The bandage is water resistant not water proof. This means you can take a shower and it can get damp, but it cannot soak. Direct soaking or excessive water contact (baths, swimming, hot tubs, etc) can loosen the adhesive and break the seal, causing infection.
Under the bandage, your tattoo may look blurry, cloudy, or gooey — this is normal! It’s just plasma, ink, and fluid that your body pushes out in the first stage of healing.
If the edges start to peel, that’s okay as long as the tattoo is still sealed underneath.
If any part of the tattoo becomes exposed to air, or you notice fluid leaking out, it means the seal is broken — it’s time to remove the bandage early.
→ If liquid can come out, bacteria can get back in.
Occasionally client's notice their skin getting irritated from the adhesive of the bandage. While this doesn't happen often, it's still normal. Just move on to the next step for removal.

Day 3 (or earlier): Bandage Removal

Run warm water over the bandage in the shower or sink.
Gently pull straight up from a top edge, stretching the bandage like you’re removing a Command Strip — this loosens the adhesive and helps it come off with minimal irritation.
Be patient — don’t rip or peel too quickly.
Occasionally there is a little strip of adhesive left behind on the skin around the tattoo. No stress! You can either scrub this off or it will fall off over the next day or so.
Once removed, gently wash your tattoo using lukewarm water and unscented antibacterial soap.
- If you don’t have a go-to, Dial Gold is a solid, affordable option.
Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel — do not use a bath towel.
Let your tattoo air dry for 7–10 minutes.
Apply a thin layer of Aquaphor — a pea-sized amount, fully rubbed in until the skin is moisturized but not shiny or wet.
→ We want your tattoo healthy and hydrated, not wet — excess moisture invites bacteria.

Weeks 1-4: Final Healing Stages

Continue washing your tattoo gently once or twice a day, and apply only a tiny amount of lotion afterward — always rubbed in completely.
If your tattoo feels itchy or dry, you can gently clean it and reapply lotion for relief.
→ Please don’t scratch or pick — even if it’s tempting.
Your tattoo may start to peel or flake — this is normal. Do not peel or pick at the flaking areas. This can pull out ink and cause damage to the tattoo.
No swimming, soaking, hot tubs, or baths for 4 full weeks.
No sun exposure or sunscreen on the tattoo for 4 full weeks.
No workouts, heavy sweating, or stretching the area for at least 5 days.
Avoid tight or dirty clothing rubbing against the tattoo.
Your tattoo may look shiny, flaky, or a little dull during healing — that’s normal.

Final Notes

Healing takes 4-6 weeks, sometimes longer or shorter depending on placement and skin type.
Needing a little touch up? No worries! That can happen after the 6 week healing period.
If you notice signs of infection (spreading redness, swelling, pus, excessive heat), reach out to me or a healthcare provider.