Aftercare

Your tattoo is an open wound — treat it like one. Following proper aftercare helps prevent infection, preserves detail and color, and ensures your tattoo heals beautifully.

1. Keep It Covered (First 24–72 Hours)

  • You will leave the studio with a second-skin bandage (Saniderm, Tegaderm, or similar) applied.

  • Keep it on for at least 24 hours and up to 3 days maximum, unless advised otherwise.

  • If the bandage becomes compromised, starts to leak, or lifts significantly at the edges, remove it and move to Step 2.

2. Remove Gently and Clean

  • Peel off the bandage gently. Do not rip it off — run warm water over the edge to loosen the adhesive.

  • Immediately wash the tattoo with warm water and unscented antibacterial soap, using clean hands only.

  • Pat dry with a clean paper towel or let it air dry. Do not rub.

  • Do not re-bandage. Your tattoo needs to breathe from this point forward.

3. Initial Healing Phase (Days 1–3 After Bandage Removal)

  • Wash gently with warm water and unscented antibacterial soap twice a day.

  • Pat dry each time — never rub.

  • Do not apply lotion yet. Let it breathe.

  • Some redness, slight swelling, and weeping of clear or slightly colored fluid is normal in the first 24–48 hours.

  • The tattoo will look dull or cloudy as it heals. This is normal — the skin is repairing itself.

4. Moisturize (Starting Day 4)

  • Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion — Lubriderm, Curel, or similar — 2 to 3 times a day.

  • Less is more. A thin layer is all that is needed. Do not smother the tattoo.

  • Continue moisturizing daily until the skin looks and feels completely healed.

  • Avoid ointments such as Vaseline or A&D unless specifically recommended by me.

What to Avoid (First 2 Weeks, Minimum)

For the first 2 weeks, absolutely avoid:

  • 🚫 Soaking in water — no pools, hot tubs, baths, tubing, rivers, lakes, seas, or oceans

  • 🚫 Sun exposure — no tanning beds, no beach days, no outside sun exposure with UV index of 4 or higher.

    • If you must be outside, fully cover your tattoo with clothing — ideally UV-protective fabric — and avoid direct sun during high UV hours (UV index 4 or higher).

  • 🚫 Dirt, grime, sweat-drenched workouts, and anything bacteria-friendly.

  • 🚫 Picking, scratching, or rubbing the area

  • 🚫 Pets licking or touching your tattoo (no, seriously!)

Long-Term Care

  • After the tattoo is fully healed (approximately 4 to 6 weeks), continue to protect it from direct UV exposure.

  • Apply high-SPF sunscreen whenever the tattoo will be exposed to sun. Sun is the primary cause of tattoo fading over time.

  • Wear UV-protective clothing when possible and avoid peak UV hours.

Signs Of infection - contact a doctor if you notice:

  • Excessive redness, swelling, or warmth that worsens after the first 48 hours rather than improving.

  • Pus or unusual discharge from the tattoo site.

  • Fever or red streaking extending from the tattoo.

  • A rash or hives spreading beyond the tattoo area.

If you notice any of the above, seek medical attention promptly. Contact me as well — but do not wait on a doctor's visit.

Got questions or concerns? Don’t tough it out — contact me.