If you’re experiencing a medical emergency please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital or medical facility.
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Your artist will cover your tattoo after your appointment (saran wrap, non stick bandage, or a clean paper towel).
To remove your bandage, first wash your hands thoroughly. If you have disposable first aid gloves feel free to put them on after washing your hands.
Take your bandage off and gently clean with water and an unscented liquid soap.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel, you may notice some ink and blood on the paper towel, this is normal.
Let your tattoo dry for 15 minutes.
Apply a thin layer of an unscented lotion to your tattoo. Remember to use a thin amount, you want your tattoo to have a satin finish, if your tattoo appears shiny dab excess product off with a clean paper towel.
Repeat as needed throughout the day, typically when the tattoo gets oozy and bloody.
Once your tattoo starts to feel dull, dry, and is not oozing anymore you may stop the excessive washing.
Apply lotion as necessary to your tattoo whenever your skin feels itchy, tight, and dry.
Listen to your body and contact your artist if you have any further aftercare questions.
Once your skin returns to its normal texture you may start applying sunscreen to it and resume normal activities (e.g., working out, swimming)
TIP: If you are trying to wash an area that is hard to clean in a regular sink, and you don't have access to a shower we recommend mixing up a pump of soap in 8oz of clean warm water in a clean dish. Soak a clean paper towel in the mixture and wipe your tattoo gently until it's clean. Then take some regular water without soap on a paper towel and gently wipe to remove soap residue. Let dry and then apply a light layer of lotion.
If you work in a dirty environment please let your tattoo artist know so we can recommend some individualized aftercare solutions.
If you are having any aftercare issues please send a picture of your healing tattoo to your tattoo artist as well as a list of any aftercare products you've been using. Please be truthful with us, we're not here to judge and only want to help troubleshoot and get your tattoo healed!
Keep in mind that we are not doctors, if you are experiencing anything abnormal outside of the regular tattoo healing process such as excessive scabbing, burning, or fever we ask that you contact your doctor or an emergency medical professional as soon as possible.
Your artist will apply a spray-on bandage at the end of your appointment.
Leave your tattoo alone (no really, we mean it, leave it alone!).
After 4-5 days your tattoo will start to peel with the bandage. Using clean hands, gently wash with soap and water.
Lotion your tattoo as needed for the remainder of the healing process until your skin returns to its normal texture.
DO NOT over apply moisturizer, this could cause a moisture rash.
Listen to your body and contact your artist if you have any further aftercare questions or need clarifying info.
Once your skin returns to its normal texture you may start applying sunscreen to it and resume normal activities (e.g., working out, swimming)
If you notice any excessive redness or a possible allergic reaction to your bandage, wash off the spray with warm water and soap and use the DRY HEALING method.
If you work in a dirty environment, please let your tattoo artist know so we can recommend some individualized aftercare solutions.
If you are having any aftercare issues please send a picture of your healing tattoo to your tattoo artist as well as a list of any aftercare products you've been using. Please be truthful with us, we're not here to judge and only want to help troubleshoot and get your tattoo healed!
Keep in mind that we are not doctors, if you are experiencing anything abnormal outside of the regular tattoo healing process such as excessive scabbing, burning, or fever we ask that you contact your doctor or an emergency medical professional as soon as possible.
Recovery derm is a flexible, gas-permeable, water-resistant bandage that your artist will apply at the end of your appointment. This method is NOT recommended for anyone with adhesive sensitivities.
Keep the bandage on for 3-5 days. A build up of ink, blood, and plasma underneath the bandage is normal.
Remove your bandage after 3-5 days.
Once your bandage is off, wash your tattoo using clean hands, wait for your tattoo to dry for 15 minutes and then apply a light layer of lotion as needed (whenever your tattoo feels itchy, tight, or dry) for the remainder of the healing process.
Once your skin returns to its normal texture you may start applying sunscreen to it and resume normal activities (e.g., working out, swimming)
If you work in a dirty environment please let your tattoo artist know so we can recommend some individualized aftercare solutions.
If you are having any aftercare issues please send a picture of your healing tattoo to your tattoo artist as well as a list of any aftercare products you've been using. Please be truthful with us, we're not here to judge and only want to help troubleshoot and get your tattoo healed!
Keep in mind that we are not doctors, if you are experiencing anything abnormal outside of the regular tattoo healing process such as excessive scabbing, burning, or fever we ask that you contact your doctor or an emergency medical professional as soon as possible.
A fresh tattoo is an open wound. Depending on the size and location there will be variables in tattoo healing times. Larger more complex tattoos will likely take longer to heal, likewise smaller more simple tattoos will heal a bit faster. Your artist will explain to you during your appointment what to expect in the following days during aftercare.
During the tattoo process, the body is going through its natural responses to pain. This means that adrenaline and stress hormones are coursing through your body. You may feel a bit light headed, or even feel tired or groggy more than usual after your appointment. It is normal to feel a bit "off" even a couple days after your appointment. Your body went through a physical trauma and is recovering. So give yourself some grace and try to relax while you heal.
Minor discomfort localized to the area tattooed such as soreness, tenderness and oozing are to be expected in the following days. Sometimes a bit of bruising can be normal especially on sensitive parts of the body such as the ribs, inner arm, or inner thigh.
Tattoos below the waist receive a bit more swelling because of increased blood flow.
If you are experiencing some discomfort or swelling it can be helpful to use a clean ice pack wrapped in a clean paper towel and apply it to the tattoo for up to 10 minutes. It may also be helpful to take an over the counter pain medication as directed by your doctor.
Healing times look different for every body, but here's a general timeline of what to potentially expect:
Because tattoos are solid particles of pigment in your skin, your immune system may act up and you might occasionally notice your tattoo getting slightly puffy or itchy, even after it's fully healed. This is normal and is usually observed by clients when their bodies are going through a histamine response such as allergies. Sunlight, abrasions, and sweating may also cause your tattoos to puff up slightly.
During the healing process, your tattoo is especially vulnerable to the sun, and sun exposure during healing can cause rapid, premature aging of your tattoo. This is due to the top protective layers of your skin (responsible for filtering UV light) still needing time to regenerate. Sunscreen application is not recommended during healing, so best practices are to stay out of the sun entirely while your tattoo is healing.
For long-term care of your tattoo, moisturize, apply sunscreen, and/or wear a protective sun garment over your tattoo whenever you are going to be in direct sunlight. Protecting your tattoo from the sun and taking good care of your skin will keep your tattoo looking vibrant for years.