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’ll leave the studio with a second skin bandage (Saniderm, Tegaderm, etc.).

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

  • If it gets compromised or starts to leak, it’s time to remove it

2. Remove Gently, Then Clean

  • Gently peel off the second skin. Don’t rip it off — warm water helps.

  • Immediately wash your tattoo with warm water and unscented antibacterial soap.

  • Pat dry with a clean paper towel or let it air dry.

  • Do NOT re-bandage. Your tattoo needs to breathe.

3. Initial Healing Phase (Days 1–3)

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

  • Pat dry each time — never rub.

  • No lotion just yet — let it breathe.

4. Moisturize (Starting Day 4)

  • Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion (like Lubriderm or Curel) 2–3 times a day.

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

  • Avoid ointments like Vaseline or A&D unless I specifically recommend it.

5. 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!)

Overall, no extreme environments, no funky surfaces, no rolling in sand or going full Viking in a mud race.

6. Long-Term Care

After the tattoo fully heals (about 4–6 weeks), still try to avoid exposing tattoo to direct UV rays. Wear UV-protective clothing, avoid high UV index hours, and always use high-SPF sunscreen.

Sun = tattoo fade. Protect your investment.

Got questions or concerns? Don’t tough it out — email me and I’ll help.