aftercare instructions
WHAT TO AVOID
Swimming
Avoid swimming for at least 30 days after getting your tattoo, this includes pools, oceans, and even soaking in the bath.
Touching
Avoid touching the tattoo with unwashed hands, especially other people.
Do not pick or scratch your tattoo, leave those flakes and scabs alone, this may cause ink to fall out of the tattoo as well as potential scars or infection.
Avoid exfoliating your tattoo until the skin is fully healed.
Sun and heat
Avoid direct sunlight and keep the tattoo covered with loose clothing during the heeling process.
No sunscreen until around day 15, as the tattoo is still an open wound.
Sweating
Avoid heavy sweating for at least two weeks
Avoid Saunas or Gyms until then
Clothing and Products
Avoid tight clothes, wear loose breathable fabrics as to not rub against your fresh tattoo
Avoid heavy products such as petroleum jelly, thick ointments, or strongly scented lotions. Instead, use a thin layer of mild, unscented lotion.
Avoid shaving the tattooed area until the skin is fully healed.
second skin
Day 0 - Immediately after tattoo
leave second skin on for 1 to 3 days maximum, If it comes off naturally, Thats completely okay! Begin the cleaning process.
If removed skip to Day 3
Day 1-2 - Second skin still on
While the second skin is on your tattoo, try your best not to bump, scratch, or puncture the barrier. If the barrier is broken, clean as soon as possible.
Day 3 - Removing the second skin
Carefully peel the barrier off from the top of the tattoo under warm running water, pulling away from the tattoo similar to a command strip.
After removing, rinse with warm running water and wash with unscented antibacterial soap, if you didn’t purchase an aftercare kit, Dial Gold is recommended.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel and let dry for 10 minutes, then apply a thin layer of tattoo balm over the tattoo
Repeat these steps every morning and evening or as needed for 2-3 days
Day 4-7 - Peeling and itching
Your tattoo will start to peel and itch the most at this stage and feel like a mild sunburn
Do not pick or scratch the tattoo!
Picking or scratching the tattoo can cause ink to fall out in the effected area, if the itching becomes too much tap the skin lightly or apply some lightweight fragrance free lotion to the tattoo.
Moisturize two to three times a day, making sure the area stays hydrated but not greasy.
Day 8-10 - Slower peeling, hazy appearance
Peeling tapers off and the tattoo may look dull or cloudy, often called the “Milky Phase”
Continue moisturizing as needed and avoid exfoliants.
If not dirty or sweaty, you can reduce the washing to once a day with the same unscented soap.
Day 11-14 - Tattoo starts settling
The tattoo finishes pealing and the colors start looking more vivid and bright.
The skin may feel tight or shiny, keep moisturizing
If you’re exposed to sunlight, keep the tattoo covered with loose clothing, though try your best to stay out of the sun until around after day 15.
Day 15-30 - Surface healed and color revealed
Tattooed skin appears healed to the eye, but the deeper layers are still recovering.
Continue to moisturize daily, avoid exfoliation, and apply SPF 30 religiously before going outdoors.
Month 2-6 - Internal healing and vibrant colors
The healing process is complete, the tattoo is able to support your skins daily hydration
Always use SPF to keep the true colors vibrant later down the line.
tattoo armour
Day 0-2 - Immediately after tattoo
Keep the Tattoo Armour on for around 8 hours after your tattoo
Then carefully remove the Tattoo Armour and clean under warm running water with unscented antibacterial soap.
Let the tattoo air dry for around 10 minutes and pat dry with a clean paper towel.
Re-wrap your tattoo with a new sheet of Tattoo Armour and leave on for another 8 hours, then repeat the cleaning and re-wrapping process until the sheets are completely clean upon removal.
Day 3 - Fully unwrapping your tattoo
Once fully unwrapped you’ll want to keep your moisturized, preferably with tattoo balm, though a lightweight unscented lotion will do.
Day 4-7 - Peeling and itching
Your tattoo will start to peel and itch the most at this stage and feel like a mild sunburn
Do not pick or scratch the tattoo!
Picking or scratching the tattoo can cause ink to fall out in the effected area, if the itching becomes too much tap the skin lightly or apply some lightweight fragrance free lotion to the tattoo.
Moisturize two to three times a day, making sure the area stays hydrated but not greasy.
Day 8-10 - Slower peeling, hazy appearance
Peeling tapers off and the tattoo may look dull or cloudy, often called the “Milky Phase”
Continue moisturizing as needed and avoid exfoliants.
If not dirty or sweaty, you can reduce the washing to once a day with the same unscented soap.
Day 11-14 - Tattoo starts settling
The tattoo finishes pealing and the colors start looking more vivid and bright.
The skin may feel tight or shiny, keep moisturizing
If you’re exposed to sunlight, keep the tattoo covered with loose clothing, though try your best to stay out of the sun until around after day 15.
Day 15-30 - Surface healed and color revealed
Tattooed skin appears healed to the eye, but the deeper layers are still recovering.
Continue to moisturize daily, avoid exfoliation, and apply SPF 30 religiously before going outdoors.
Month 2-6 - Internal healing and vibrant colors
The healing process is complete, the tattoo is able to support your skins daily hydration
Always use SPF to keep the true colors vibrant later down the line.
air dry
Day 0-4 - Immediately after tattoo
You will want to wash your tattoo under warm water with antibacterial soap as soon as you can, air dry for 10 minutes then pat dry with a clean paper towel.
Apply a thin layer of tattoo balm or a lightweight unscented lotion.
continue washing frequently and applying tattoo balm or lotion once dry.
Day 5-7 - Peeling and itching
Your tattoo will start to peel and itch the most at this stage and feel like a mild sunburn
Do not pick or scratch the tattoo!
Picking or scratching the tattoo can cause ink to fall out in the effected area, if the itching becomes too much tap the skin lightly or apply some lightweight fragrance free lotion to the tattoo.
Moisturize two to three times a day, making sure the area stays hydrated but not greasy.
Day 8-10 - Slower peeling, hazy appearance
Peeling tapers off and the tattoo may look dull or cloudy, often called the “Milky Phase”
Continue moisturizing as needed and avoid exfoliants.
If not dirty or sweaty, you can reduce the washing to once a day with the same unscented soap.
Day 11-14 - Tattoo starts settling
The tattoo finishes pealing and the colors start looking more vivid and bright.
The skin may feel tight or shiny, keep moisturizing
If you’re exposed to sunlight, keep the tattoo covered with loose clothing, though try your best to stay out of the sun until around after day 15.
Day 15-30 - Surface healed and color revealed
Tattooed skin appears healed to the eye, but the deeper layers are still recovering.
Continue to moisturize daily, avoid exfoliation, and apply SPF 30 religiously before going outdoors.
Month 2-6 - Internal healing and vibrant colors
The healing process is complete, the tattoo is able to support your skins daily hydration
Always use SPF to keep the true colors vibrant later down the line.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Can I put Vaseline on my tattoo?
NO, Vaseline is too heavy of a moisturizer and can trap moisture, heat, and bacteria. Instead use an unscented lightweight lotion like CeraVe, Lubriderm, or CoCoa butter.
My tattoo is dry and has black flakes coming off, is my tattoo okay?
Yes that is perfectly normal, simply apply a lightweight lotion and make sure not to pick at it. as it might cause ink to fall out or not heal correctly.
What can i wear over my tattoo?
Make sure to wear loose, breathable clothing over your tattoo. Tight clothing may rub at the tattoo, irritate the skin, and peel flakes off causing ink to fall out.
Can i shower with my second skin on?
Yes it is perfectly okay to shower with second skin on, though I would avoid submerging the tattoo. If you leave the shower and there seems to be water inside of your second skin, remove it and begin the healing process, as water inside means bacteria can get in aswell.
What do i do if i think i have an infection?
Contact your doctor if you suspect an infection. Symptoms include but ar not limited to
Worsening pain, spreading redness, unusual discharge, prolonged heat and swelling, fever and chills, bumps and sores.
As well as let me or your artist know if you suspect an infection.