Tattoo Procedure Aftercare
Tattoos are a permanent body modification. For the best possible healing experience, please follow the healing instructions detailed on this page and if you need further clarification or have additional questions please reach out to the shop or your artist directly!
You got the tattoo! Now what?
Upon getting home from the studio, (unless instructed otherwise)
1.) Remove any wrapping or bandage from the tattoo and wash the surface of the skin and surrounding area with ANTIBACTERIAL LIQUID SOAP and room temperature water. Gently use your hand, a clean wash cloth, or a wet paper towel to gently clean any dried plasma, blood, or ink from the surface of the skin area.
2.) Air dry or gently pat the tattoo with a paper towel to remove excess moisture and allow the tattoo and surface of the skin to become fully dry.
3.) After the surface is fully dry apply a very thin layer of an appropriate salve/ointment, (Aquaphor/Lubriderm/Jergens/Tattoo creams) this prevents the surface of the skin from drying or cracking excessively and softens the skin. (A little goes a long way, especially with petroleum based ointments as too much can clog pores, slow healing, and cause acne around the tattoo.)
4.) Repeat steps 1-3, two to three times a day for the first two or three days, and then as needed.
DO NOT REWRAP OR COVER YOUR TATTOO, your skin is your largest organ, rewrapping the tattoo can trap moisture and bacteria against the surface of the skin resulting in delayed healing and in extreme cases infection. Your skin needs to breathe to heal properly so please try to avoid skin tight clothing over the surface of the tattoo during the initial phases of healing.
PLEASE AVOID:
Direct sunlight, tanning beds, pools/communal bodies of water, harsh soaps, peroxides, scented skin care creams, exfoliating scrubs, bar soap, tight clothing, scratching, and picking.
Understanding how your body heals
Tattoo machines use a rotary motor, or electromagnetic coils to transfer force through the needle bar; or needle cartridge, to puncture the body and deposit liquid ink below the surface of the skin. This process of grazing and breaking the surface of the skin causes micro punctures, which does temporarily damage the skin just like any other small cut or abrasion will. Typically resulting in the surface of the skin weeping blood/plasma, and in turn scabbing/flaking throughout the healing process. Everyone’s body heals at different rates especially depending on the size, and length of time of the tattoo application, or specific materials used. More often than not a tattoo will be considered fully healed around the 2-3 week mark of the healing process.