Tattoo Aftercare
Healing Your New Tattoo
Tattoos typically heal in 2-4 weeks. Each project is unique so make sure to keep an eye on how your tattoo is healing. It’s important that you follow aftercare instructions during the healing process while your tattoo is at it’s most vulnerable.
Hand and finger tattoos require extra care. You need to keep them as clean as you can, so avoid any laborious or dirty activities during the first 3-5 days of healing. The skin on your hands tends to be dry and requires extra moisturizing. Avoid drying them out further by over-washing them.
Remove Your Bandage
Traditional bandage: This is the “old school” way to wrap up a new tattoo. Tattoo balm is applied to your skin, followed by an absorbent pad, then plastic wrap. Remove this bandage after 4 hours, wash your tattoo, and follow aftercare instructions. With this type of bandage you can wait a full 24 hours before applying moisturizer to your new tattoo, but wash as normal.
Dermal Bandage: Known by brandnames like Saniderm and Secondskin, this is a transparent adhesive film that completely adheres to your skin.
This bandage can be worn in the shower and won’t come off until you choose to remove it. This bandage can be worn for 1 to 5 days, but do not exceed 5 days. Watch this video to see how to remove your bandage. After removal, wash your tattoo and follow regular aftercare instructions.
If the bandage irritates your skin, becomes ripped, or partially uncovers the tattoo, remove immediately and wash your tattoo following regular aftercare instructions.
If the bandage leaves any adhesive residue on your skin that doesn’t wash off using soap and water, try gently rubbing your tattoo with oil on your fingers (such as jojoba oil or coconut oil) than wash the oil off with soap. You can do this once per day until the residue is gone, while continuing regular aftercare instructions.
Aftercare Instructions:
Wash your tattoo once to twice a day using fragrance-free soap. Gently use your hands and don’t scrub or exfoliate. Pat dry with a clean paper towel or towel. Below are some soaps I recommend, do not use a bar of soap.
Moisturize your tattoo with a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion or tattoo balm. Don’t use too much. Do this after every wash, and whenever your tattoo feels tight or itchy to avoid scabbing. Below are some moisturizers I recommend. Choose a bottle or tube and avoid tub style containers.
Avoid ointments such as Neosporin, Vaseline, or any other petroleum based product that could damage your new tattoo.
Don’t scratch your new tattoo. It’s okay to lightly slap it if it itches. If you know you get extra itchy, I recommend storing your moisturizer in the fridge because cold lotion will relieve itchiness immediately.
Absolutely no sun exposure for 2 weeks, up to 4 weeks. I can’t over-stress that the sun is a tattoos worst enemy, especially before it’s fully healed. Always cover your new tattoo from the sun and wear at minimum 30 SPF sunscreen in the future. Wearing sunscreen is a lifelong habit that will have a huge impact on your permanent tattoos!
No soaking or submerging your new tattoo in water for at least 2 weeks. This includes swimming, baths, saunas, and even long steamy showers.
Avoid strenuous activity or working out for 48 hours. Your skin has just been traumatized so you need to give it a little time before stretching it or putting it under stress.
