Aftercare for your tattoo is simple, you want it to be clean and dry, after that your body does the rest. But let me go over some things that will ease your mind.

Healing, on average, takes roughly two weeks. Everyone’s body is different and a lot of circumstances can change how long a tattoo needs to heal. Some people may get a small, simple tattoo that is fully healed within a few days with proper care. Some people may get a very large tattoo, covering a whole arm, leg, or other body part. The stress on your body after a tattoo like this can lead it to take up to 3 weeks for a full heal. This is normal!

Health conditions, such as diabetes or other autoimmune disorders, should be discussed prior to our appointment as this can either prevent us from tattooing entirely or make your tattoo take a lot longer to heal. If these conditions are present but you choose not to disclose them with me please remember that I am not liable for any complications caused by such conditions once the tattoo is complete. You will take full responsibility for the healing of each tattoo once you have left my studio regardless of any and all health-related concerns.

WEEK ONE:

WASH YOUR TATTOO 2-3 TIMES PER DAY, or if it comes into contact with a surface, hand, pet, or other potential bacteria carrier. Use mild, antibacterial liquid hand soap, such as Gold Dial or Softsoap. Avoid seasonal scented soaps, bar soaps, dish soaps, bodywashes, and face washes. After washing, pat dry with a clean paper towel or freshly washed hand towel, don’t rub the tattoo.

After dying, apply a very small amount of Aquaphor Healing Ointment (tube, not tub) or equivalent product (do not use Vaseline, Neosporin, hand lotion, body lotion, or face lotion).

Around day 5-7 you’ll notice your tattoo is becoming dry, tight, itchy, and sorta ugly. Flakes of skin, much like a sunburn, will begin flaking from your tattoo. This skin will have tattoo pigment in it, this does not mean your tattoo is falling out. The epidermis peels after experiencing damage and is 100% normal and expected. You may notice scabbing during this time. Scabs are normal, especially on bigger or more detailed tattoos. DON’T PICK AT THEM, this can pull the color from your skin and result in a bad heal.

WEEK TWO:

Once your tattoo has mostly healed over the surface and is in its “ugly” phase, around day 7, you can stop washing so frequently and return to your normal washing and showering routine. At this point your tattoo will be super itchy and annoying. You want the tattoo to be dry more often than not, however the itching can be intense, so switching from Aquaphor to a body lotion, such as Aveeno or Eucerin, is recommended to maintain comfort. Apply this lotion as needed for the remaining 5-7 days. When your tattoo is free of flakey skin and scabs, you’re technically** fully healed! Congratulations!

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

- REMOVE YOUR WRAP WHEN YOU GET HOME (unless using Derm Shield or other similar healing method)

- DO NOT expose your new tattoo to the sun.

- DO NOT submerge your new tattoo (no swimming, hot tubs, pools, lakes, baths, etc.) Showering is fine and recommended.

- WHEN SHOWERING wash your tattoo at the very end of your shower. Bring your antibacterial hand soap in with you. It’s okay if shampoos and bodywashes touch or rinse over your new tattoo, you'll be washing the tattoo at the end to remove any irritants anyway!

- AVOID TIGHT CLOTHING over the new tattoo, at least until it has mostly healed. Wear loose, breathable clothing and allow the tattoo to get fresh air. Avoid watches, bracelets, or tight socks on wrist or ankle tattoos until you are fully healed.

- DO NOT let friends, spouses, siblings, parents, or pets to touch or handle your tattoo during the healing process. If this happens make sure to wash your tattoo as soon as possible to avoid infection.

- DO NOT pick at any potential scabs. Aside from damaging the tattoo you planned for, paid for, and sat all day to receive, this can lead to infections or other complications.

- AFTER YOUR TATTOO IS HEALED you will notice the colors look “milky” or “subdued.” Your black looks a little gray, your red looks a little pink. This is normal! Your new layer of skin over the top of your tattoo is fresh, its old version just peeled off of your body last week. This effect will go away in about another week, but you can continue to use Aquaphor or hand lotion to remove the “milky” look and bring back your tattoo’s vibrancy until it returns on its own!

- YOU MAY NEED A TOUCHUP. Some tattoos need a touchup after fully healing, this can also be normal. Big areas of solid color, fine lines, or small areas with a lot of detail may be prone to needing touchups, These usually aren’t the type of touchup that will make or break your tattoo, but once you notice them you’ll want them fixed. Our bodies are fickle and anything can happen during the healing process, which is why I offer one free touchup per tattoo. You likely won’t notice the need for a touchup until week 3 or 4, so if you’re in weeks 1-2 stay patient and wait to see the fully healed piece before deciding if you need a touchup.

**Your tattoo will be shinier than the skin around it when it’s done healing, this means your tattoo is still healing underneath the skin and will need time to settle before going back in with another needle.

Do you have a question I didn’t answer here? Please feel free to email me with any concerns, I am more than happy to help at every stage of your tattoo!