Tattoo Aftercare

Second Skin Bandage

With your bandage, try to leave that on for 2-3 days if possible.  The longer you can leave it on the better it will heal! It is water resistant so you can shower with it, just do not submerge it fully in a pool, bath, or hot tub, etc. This bandage helps skip that scabing phase and go straight into the flaking phase which is ideal for minimal ink loss. If it comes off earlier that is okay as well, just clean it with the following procedure and DO NOT put a new bandage on. Re bandaging runs the risk of trapping bacteria or moisture under the bandage and can lead to infection.

It is always best to remove the bandage in the shower when you are ready, Start from the bottom and pull DOWN and AWAY (this like removing a command strip from the wall). Ripping from the top down on dry skin can be painful and cause damage to your skin, this is a high grade medical adhesive. 

Once the bandage is removed, gently wash the tattoo with warm water and UNSCENTED ANTIBACTERIAL soap, Liquid Gold Dial Hand Soap is always the best (bars can harbor bacteria so use a fresh one with each use if you must use a bar). Wash it ONCE, then use and UNSCENTED LOTION once or twice a day for 2 weeks until healed. You will need less lotion than you think, just a very small amount as to not over moisturize and cause infections and ink loss. DO NOT USE AQUAPHOR, A&D OINTMENT, VASELINE, NEOSPOREN, BATH AND BODYWORKS or anything other than  unscented lotion. These thick products can cause infection due to over moisturizing very easily, the bandage takes care of most of the healing so you do not need anything that thick!!! 

Please refrain from swimming, tanning, or fully submerging the tattoo for long periods or time for at least 2 weeks while it heals. Tattoos are large open wounds and you need to treat it as such! ♡

Alternative Wraps

If you have an adhesive allergy, we will go with an alternative wrap that you will typically remove the night of or the morning after your appointment. This non adhesive will come off easily and you will proceed with cleaning. 

Gently wash the tattoo with warm water and UNSCENTED ANTIBACTERIAL soap, Liquid Gold Dial Hand Soap is always the best (bars can harbor bacteria so use a fresh one with each use if you must use a bar). Wash it ONCE, then use Aquaphor or A& D ointment for the following day or two, once or twice a day to help with the light scabbing. You will need less lotion than you think, just a very small amount as to not over moisturize and cause infections and ink loss. VASELINE, NEOSPOREN, BATH AND BODYWORKS. These thick products can cause infection due to over moisturizing very easily, the bandage takes care of most of the healing so you do not need anything that thick!!! After the first initial day or two after bandage removal, switch over to an unscented lotion once or twice a day for the remaining healing time, around a week and a half. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your healing, don't hesitate to reach out!