Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo.

When using an adhesive film bandage (Tegaderm, Saniderm, etc.) you can leave the bandage on up to 48 hours. Traditional bandages shouldn’t be left on more than 6 hours.

Over the next 48 hours you may see fluid collect under your bandage, it can look similar to soy sauce. As long as it’s minimal it’s fine. If there is a lot of fluid remove your bandage and wash your tattoo immediately after. 

If your film bandage is leaking remove and wash immediately after.

Wash your hands thoroughly and remove bandage and wash with mild liquid soap (Dr. Bronner’s, Liquid Dial, Soft Soap, Cetaphil). Wash your tattoo thoroughly 10+ times, make sure to wash off any built up fluids, etc. 

Pat dry with a clean paper towel, do not rub your tattoo. 

Apply a very small amount of light water based fragrance free hand lotion or ointment; Eucerin, Lubriderm, Aveno, Aquaphor, etc.

For a small tattoo you want a bead of lotion. Apply a small amount and add more if needed. Too much lotion or ointment will prevent your tattoo from healing and may impact the tattoo long term.

Lotions should be used very sparingly and should absorb within a few moments. If there is lotion sitting on your tattoo you have applied too much and can gently blot the excess with a paper towel. You can blot off excess lotion, but if there is a lot it is recommended to wash your tattoo and start again to avoid over moisturizing or suffocating your tattoo.

Repeat washing 3-6 times a day until the end of the 4th day.

After the 4th day wash around your tattoo and pat dry, you can still apply a very small amount of lotion once or twice a day.

Your tattoo will dry out and form a light papery layer like a sunburn and possibly some scabbing. Do not pick or scratch your tattoo and do not “help” any scabs fall off as it can lead to scarring.

Avoid pools, tubs, hot tubs, the ocean, and gym equipment and mats while your tattoo is healing. Saltwater and chlorine are terrible for tattoos while they are healing and may permanently damage them. Showering is recommended until your tattoo has peeled completely.

Avoid strenuous exercise and sweating while your tattoo is healing.

All scabbing should fall off on its own in a week to two weeks.

After the scabbing has fallen off keep your tattoo out of the sun for six weeks. If you’re going to be in the sun make sure there is a physical barrier over your tattoo. Sunscreen IS NOT enough to protect a healing tattoo, make sure you have a shirt or some other physical barrier over your tattoo.

After six weeks your tattoo should look the way it’s going to look for a long time. If you have any issues, need a touch up, or have any other questions call or email the shop.

Enjoy your new tattoo!