Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
Congratulations on your new tattoo!
In order to keep your tattoo safe while healing and looking great for years to come, please thoroughly read and follow these aftercare instructions.
If you have any concerns about your tattoo during the healing process, please email me at az.inkz.tt@gmail.com.
Products you’ll need:
- Gentle, unscented soap
- Unscented moisturizer or ointment
Product Recommendations
If you have any dermal allergies or sensitivities, please pay close attention to the ingredients in each product before purchasing.
Soap
Moisturizer/Ointment
While you won’t be able to use it until your tattoo is fully healed, make sure to also invest in a sunscreen you like with a minimum of 50 SPF!
Activities to avoid during healing
- Swimming/water-based activities
- Taking baths (showers are okay and encouraged)
- Any activity that exposes your tattoo to direct sun
- Intense exercise (first 2 weeks)
Sun exposure & tattoos
Avoid any direct sunlight on the tattoo until it is fully healed. It’s recommended to consistently wear clothes that cover the tattoo through the entire healing process if you go outside or are indoors near bright windows. Do not apply sunscreen to your tattoo before it is fully healed!
It’s important to note that direct sunlight is never advised on a tattoo. Tattoos fade in direct sunlight for the entire lifetime of the tattoo. The more a tattoo is exposed to UV light, the more the pigment will fade and/or spread as time passes. The key to a crisp and well-aged tattoo is diligent sun coverage and/or 50+ SPF protection.
Healing Timeline + Instructions
First Day(s): Waterproof Bandage OR Plastic Wrap
Waterproof Bandage Care: The tattoo bandage should ideally be left on for 2-3 days. If the bandage starts to leak, or peels to the point of exposing the tattoo, it can be removed early to prevent the potential trapping of bacteria within the bandage.
If the bandage comes off early, please take extra care to avoid contact with animal hair/dander, chemicals, and other foreign substances that could potentially cause irritation or infection during this vulnerable period of healing.
You may or may not see liquid pooling in the bandage! It may look a little gross, but it’s normal and expected. The liquid is a mixture of plasma and surplus ink that your body is pushing out.
At the 2 or 3-day mark, gently remove the bandage. I recommend doing so in the shower under warm running water. To reduce skin-pulling, lift a corner of the bandage and stretch it away from the other corners, parallel to your skin. Take your time – it can be a bit of a slow process!
Plastic Wrap Care: I generally advise leaving the plastic wrap on for around 4-8 hours. An approximate recommended timeline is to leave the wrap on for your journey home, go about your evening plans, and then when you’re ready to go to bed, remove the wrap, wash your tattoo with your gentle unscented soap, and apply a thin layer of ointment to the tattoo. I also recommend wearing clean, dark-colored clothing over the tattooed area as it will likely shed ink while you’re sleeping.
The next 2-3 weeks: Cleaning & Moisturizing
Once you remove the bandage, wash the area of the tattooed skin with warm water and your mild, unscented soap of choice. After washing, you can let the tattoo air dry, or gently pat the area dry with a clean towel. (Don’t rub!)
Once the area is fully dry, apply a thin layer of unscented moisturizer or ointment.
For the next couple of weeks, take care of your tattoo by washing it with soap 1-2 times daily (while you shower is great!), and apply a thin layer of moisturizer/ointment to it 3-4 times a day, or as needed.
The key to moisturization is balanced consistency! Don’t let your tattoo completely dry out, but also don’t over-apply, as the tattoo needs air and ventilation to heal properly. The layer of moisturizer/ointment on your skin should look slightly shiny, but not wet.
IMPORTANT: You will be itchy and it will suck! Do not pick at scabs if they form, and do not scratch your tattoo! Doing so may pull ink out from under your skin, and your tattoo may end up looking patchy and less than ideal. Applying ice to the area (with a protective layer between your skin and the ice) for no longer than 10 minutes at a time can be a good way to alleviate itching if it becomes unbearable.
After the peeling phase, it’s recommended to continue moisturizing the tattoo for another week or two to help your skin regain elasticity.
After ~4 weeks
Your tattoo should be fully healed at this point! Continue to moisturize your skin and apply 50+ SPF for maximum longevity of your tattoo.
After your tattoo is fully healed, feel free to send me a photo of it to book a re-touch appointment.
Enjoy your new tattoo, and again, please email me at az.inkz.tt@gmail.com if you have any questions! 🙂