Put the bandage on for at least six hours. If the dressing feels secure and cozy, we advise leaving it on all night. If you choose to take off the bandage before going to bed, be sure to clean your tattoo afterward by following the directions in the next section.
There’s a potential that your tattoo will still bleed the first night. Overnight, the blood may dry out and adhere to your clothing or bed linens. If this occurs, remove the fabric with care. DO NOT yank it off or treat it roughly. If it still won’t come off, gently slide it off by moistening the area with warm water.
In the first few days after getting a new tattoo, the skin may “weep,” or develop a thin, moist layer of plasma and ink. With a fresh paper towel, DABB this. Remove the paper towel by applying pressure to the skin. Avoid wiping the tattoo or treating it roughly. When the tattoo’s colors appear on a paper towel or on your hands while you clean it, don’t freak out. Simply put, this is extra ink being expelled from the skin or surface.
Wear dark clothing and use darker towels and bedsheets to prevent stains.
- Remove the bandage and tape with care. If you see that the bandage is adhering to the tattoo, moisten it gently with warm water and slide the bandage off.
- Use soap and warm water to lather your hands. On a fresh tattoo, AVOID using washcloths, bath towels, or sponges.
- Circularly clean the tattoo gently until all of the plasma and ointment are gone.
- Gently rinse the tattoo until the skin is free of debris.
- Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel then allow to fully air dry for a minimum of 10 minutes. DO NOT SCRUB.
- Once the tattoo is dry, apply a very small amount of Aquaphor or Bacitracin. Gently rub the ointment into your tattoo. Dab any excess off with a clean paper towel.
Apply only a very thin covering of ointment to allow your tattoo to breathe. Applying too much can cause your tattoo to “suffocate.”
For the first two to three days, clean your tattoo in this manner once a day in the shower.
There is no need to re-bandage the tattoo, but please remember that it is a wound and is susceptible to infection when exposed to dirt and bacteria when it is not covered. Make sure not to touch any surface directly.
For the first 5-7 days, or until your tattoo begins to flake or peel like a sunburn, apply Aquaphor or Bacitracin 2-3 times a day (remember, keep it mild!).
For an extra two weeks after the peeling starts, switch to a standard FRAGRANCE FREE moisturizer like Lubriderm or any other fragrance-free brand.
Within 2-4 weeks, your tattoo should be fully healed.
The lotion may result in outbreaks if you have highly sensitive skin. Simply cut back on the amount of times you apply lotion each day if this occurs.
Your tattoo can start to itch or develop flaky scabs after the first few days. DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR TATTOO AS THEY WILL FALL OFF ON THEIR OWN. IF YOU DO, SOME OF THE PIGMENT MAY DISAPPEAR AND YOUR TATTOO MAY NOT HEAL PROPERLY. The scabs will gradually go away if you keep it hydrated.
- During the healing process, it is strongly advised to use clean towels, bedding, and clothing.
- Showering is acceptable, but for at least two weeks, DO NOT wet your tattoo. This prohibits swimming, bathing, or prolonged submersion of your tattoo in water.
- After your tattoo has fully healed, avoid exposure to the sun for at least two weeks. After that, for the rest of your life, we advise applying sunblock (minimum SPF 50) on your tattoo whenever you are in direct sunshine. The durability of your tattoo will surely be harmed by the sun.
- Over a fresh tattoo, wear loose clothing (ideally cotton) and stay away from restricting items like bra straps and tight waistbands. Wearing clothes that is sweaty, uncomfortable, or unclean might hinder the healing process.
