Aftercare Instructions

WITHOUT SECOND SKIN BANDAGE

  • Leave wrapping on for up to 4 hours.

  • With clean hands, take off the wrap and clean with unscented antibacterial soap and warm water. Do not use a rag, hands only!

  • Pat dry with a clean paper towel OR let air-dry

  • After taking off the initial wrap, Do not re-wrap. *Trapping bacteria in your wound is far too easy to do when re-wrapping in a non-sterile environment!*

  • Let your tattoo breathe as much as possible, but make sure to protect it from pets, kids, germs etc. Wash daily until healed.

  • Use an unscented lotion/ preferred moisturizer as needed (you only need a small amount!)

    WITH SECOND SKIN BANDAGE

  • Leave wrapping on for up to 4 hours.

  • With clean hands, take off the wrap and clean with unscented antibacterial soap and warm water. Do not use a rag, hands only!

  • Pat dry with a clean paper towel OR let air-dry.

  • Apply second skin bandage to clean tattoo, liquid will gather in the bandage so be sure to use a big enough piece to cover the entire tattoo plus a decent border.

  • Leave bandage on for 3-4 days and then remove in the shower.

  • After removing the second skin you want to clean it daily (until there is no scabbing/ peeling) and make sure to lotion well.

  • If you notice any abnormal skin irritation from the bandage (rash, pimples, extra pain, etc) please take the bandage off early and follow above healing instructions.

    NO-NO LIST

  • DO NOT re-wrap your tattoo (unless second skin).

  • DO NOT submerge your tattoo in water. (No soaking in baths or swimming. Please shower. second skin is water resistant not water proof)

  • DO NOT over expose a fresh tattoo to sunlight.

  • DO NOT use sunscreen on a fresh tattoo. * Please use sunscreen on all HEALED tattoos to protect from excess fading.*

  • DO NOT touch a fresh tattoo without washed hands.

  • DO NOT pick your scabs or scratch your tattoo. It will pull ink and can cause scarring. Also we can always tell when you do (shame shame).

  • DO NOT use antibiotic ointments. They can affect the healing of the tattoo. Unscented lotion is perfectly fine, just keep it clean.

  • DO NOT use thick moisturizing products such as vaseline. It can trap bacteria in the tattoo and clog pores.

Things to expect

  • Pain. You were stabbed a bunch of times, pain in the first few days is completely normal.

  • Swelling. Minor swelling is normal, you can ice it if you feel it is needed just make sure to use a clean barrier to protect your tattoo. Some people like to take ibuprofen for the pain and swelling.

  • Scabbing. You may experience anything from no visual scabbing to heavy scabbing. Everyone is different, but no one should pick them.

  • Bruising. This is decently common with sensitive areas and longer sessions but again, everyone is different.

  • Itching. Your skin is healing and it will get itchy. Try and use self control and don’t scratch off any scabs! You can pat it with clean hands to help relieve itchiness.

*If at any point you are unsure if your tattoo is healing normally or are worried, PLEASE email me photos and your concerns. I can help explain what is happening and give advice!*