Tattoo Aftercare

INSTRUCTIONS

 

Supplies-

  1. Uncented or fragrance free gental pump soap

  2. Aquaphor or Bepanthen

  3. Cling wrap

  4. Medical tape

  5. Fragrance free moisturizing lotion

Steps to good healing-

  1. After getting tattooed, leave the bandage/wrap on for about six hours. It’s going to get slimy that first go. The body is pushing out blood, ointment and ink. This is to be expected.

  2. After six hours, remove the bandage and submerge your tattoo into the hottest bath you can stand. Do this, just long enough, to gently wash off the ink, blood and plasma that’s built up on the surface of your skin.  Once you’re done, rinse off and get out of the bath. Pat dry (don't wipe). Use a clean paper towel. Then air dry for at least 15-20 minutes before re-bandaging.

  3. After allowing to air-dry, apply the Auqaphor or Bepanthon ointment very sparingly (use the tiniest amount and spread it as thin as possible).  Then re-cover with fresh cling wrap.   This keeps your tattoo from drying out and most importantly your skin from forming a thick scab. If you allow scabs to form, they will pull ink out of you skin as it heals.

  4. Repeat steps 2 & 3- MINUS the hot bath.  DON’T soak your tattoo any more until it’s completely healed and keep it out of the direct stream of water from the shower head. Only get it wet for the time it takes to wash it- no longer. This advice helps it heal quickly.   Basically wash and re-wrap every 3-6 hours, depending on how active you are during the day. Do this for about 3 days. Until, when letting it air dry, there are no “wet” spots (areas where the skin is weeping- these create a scab if not wrapped). Everything should look smooth and dry after a few days and then you will be able to move to the next step.

  5. Once your skin is past the first stages of healing it will start to lightly peal- like a sunburn. At this stage, keep it clean and lotion with non fragrant lotion as needed to keep it from itching and feeling tight. You can switch to washing twice a day but let it breath and completely dry after washing before you put any lotion on.....usually 15-20 minutes.

  6. That’s it! Healing your tattoo will become easier with each session.