Tattoo Aftercare
Read Our Recommended Tattoo Aftercare.
Tattoo Aftercare Recommendations
I will start by telling you that the final healing result of your new tattoo is not only on my hands. You need to read the things explained on this page and GET IT DONE to get the best results. With this been said, here are my recommended tips for you.
THE PRODUCTS you use (SOAP, OINTMENT, etc.) are not so crucial as THE WAY YOU USE THEM.
That means that your tattoo will not heal well by these products’ magic because you use the best cream or soap out there. THE WAY you use these products is what really will help your tattoo heal properly. How GOOD IS CLEANED after you use the soap and HOW MUCH OINTMENT you APPLY? It is what will make the difference in your tattoo healing process!
Traditional Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
No matter how talented the tattoo artist is, your tattoo’s final appearance has a lot to do with your tattoo aftercare.
- Always wash your hands before touch your tattoo. Remember, a tattoo is an open wound, and you need to treat it as such. That means always washing your hands before applying anything to the new tattoo and making sure you don’t expose it to unnecessary dirt and grime.
- Leave the bandage on for 3 or 4 hours, or you can also leave it overnight.
- Remove the bandage after 3 or 4 hours or in the morning if you leave it overnight.
- Wash your tattoo with mild soap and water.
- Rince the tattoo with plenty of water to make sure all soap is gone.
- Dry it by using a paper towel and leave to dry a few minutes in the air.
- Apply a very skinny layer of ointment to your tattoo and massage it entirely into the skin 3 to 4 times a day for the first three days.
- Remove any excess ointment by dabbing off with the palm of your hand, cleaning your hand with a paper towel, and repeating until your skin doesn’t have any shiny or excess ointment.
- DO NOT re-bandage your tattoo after you leave the tattoo shop(if your veteran tattoo person, you can do what you know works well for you)!
- DO NOT pick or scratch your tattoo.
- DO NOT soak your tattoo in water, use hot tubs, pools, sauna, or swim in the sea for two weeks.
- DO NOT get any direct sunlight on your tattoo for at least two weeks.
Tattoo Aftercare With Wraps
Tattoo Aftercare with Wraps Like, Second Skin, Saniderm, Derm Shield, Recovery Derm Shield, or any of this type or wraps.
Instructions:
- Leave the Saniderm bandage on for 3-5 days. When it’s time to remove it, hop in the shower. Just peel the Saniderm slowly, and it’ll come off. Oh, and guess what? You can even shower with Saniderm on!
- Give your tattoo a gentle wash with lukewarm water and non-scented antibacterial soap. Use your hands only, no scrubbers or washcloths. Clean it until all the blood and plasma are completely gone.
- Gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel or paper towel. Let it air dry for 2-5 minutes.
- Time for some lotion love! Apply only non-scented lotion to your tattoo. Steer clear of ointments or petrolatum based products, though.
- Keep up with the washing routine! Wash your tattoo 3-4 times a day. And after let it dry and apply a little layer of lotion.
General Tattoo Care For The First Weeks
The first week or two after you get your tattoo can change how amazing your tattoo will look for the rest of life. Make sure you don’t take any chances. Here are some tattoo aftercare tips you shouldn’t ignore:
The care during this time is relatively simple. A standard rule is if it hurts more than when you initially got the tattoo, STOP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING!” If it hurts, DON’T DO IT! You do not need to re-bandage your new tattoo (here are techniques on caring for the new tattoo that involves wrapping it for the entire healing duration). But that’s for the more advanced clients than first-timers, mostly because if the instructions get not followed precisely, it can lead to bad results.