gauze style bandage
If we used a standard bandage and tape or wrap, follow these tips.
Keep bandage on for at least 2 hours, but no longer than 10 hours. Soaking with warm water can make it easier to remove the bandage and tape. Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching a fresh tattoo. Touch the tattoo as little as possible and keep your friends from touching it with their dirty hands. After you remove the bandage, soak a clean white paper towel with cool water. Set it on the tattoo for a few seconds before wiping. Wipe it softly, this will not hurt the tattoo. Take care to get all the
blood beads off of the tattooed area. Don't re-bandage!
Note: Using an ice pack on the tattoo helps to reduce swelling and reduces the secretion of body fluids. These fluids can create heavier scabbing, making further care more difficult. 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, repeating often during the first 12 hours. This is strongly suggested for the lower parts of the body.
Do not apply ice pack directly to the tattoo, a barrier such as paper towel or plastic wrap help.
Wash with cool water every 2 to 5 hours for the first 2-3 days. After washing, apply a very small amount of fragrance free lotion (Lubriderm or Curel) to the tattoo as needed. What you can't easily work into the
skin... wipe off! Over moisturizing can suffocate the tattoo and make the color push out.
Note: Always use a clean white paper towel to wash your tattoo. Using a dishrag is not suggested. A paper towel is disposable and will reduce the chances of contamination.
Film style bandage
AKA tagaderm, second skin or inksack wrap
If we used a clear film bandage on your tattoo, follow these tips.
Leave the bandage on for 1-5 days. 4-5 days is best but if it bothers you or starts to come loose, it is ok to take it off early. If you do remove early, refer to the standard bandage style instructions washing procedure.
Over a few days, the inside of the clear bandage can become cloudy and bubbly, that is ok. The bandage is designed to breath but not let fluids in or out. It is ok to shower with the film bandage on but do not swim or soak in bath or hot tub. There will be no need for any lotion, moisturizer or cleaning of the tattoo while the film is on.
You may want to use an ice pack right over the film bandage. Apply ice pack directly over the film for 10 min on and 10 min off, repeating often during the first 12 hours. This is strongly suggested for the lower parts of the body or near a joint.
To remove the clear film: warm water can help in the removal. In the shower or by using a warm compress will help with the process. Slowly peel up a corner and pull away from the center of the bandage. When it become loose peel it toward the center of the bandage not up and not at a 90 degree angle. A very small amount of unscented soap and water will help remove the left over residue. Take your time.
Wash as needed and apply a very small amount of
fragrance free lotion (Lubriderm or Curel) to the
tattoo only if needed. What you can't easily work into the skin, wipe off! Only use lotion if the skin is dry.
Over moisturizing can suffocate the skin and slow down healing
click link for bandage removal tips:
Removal tips video
Note: Best to use the disposable compressed paper towel to wash your tattoo the first time. Put it on a glass of water, in seconds it will become a soft easy to use towel. Using a dishrag/washcloth is not suggested unless they have gone through a sanitizing method first. A paper towel is disposable and will reduce the chances of cross contamination.
Next step
After the the film bandage is off or a couple days of gentle washing is complete, do not get the tattoo soaking wet until the entire tattoo is healed. This doesn’t mean you can’t shower or clean yourself. Covering the tattoo with some sort of plastic bandage is not an option. This will only make the skin sweat and push out color. If you need to wash the tattooed area: blot it with a moist white paper towel, followed immediately with a dry one. Avoid shower soaps and shampoo from coming in contact with the tattoo. It may cause a burning sensation or dry out the tattoo.
Apply a fragrance free lotion as needed, until scabbing falls off on its own. If the tattoo becomes dry use it more often, not more of it. If the tattoo is already feeling/looking moist, there is no need to add more. Try to keep the tattoo at a normal moisture level. Don’t let the tattoo become too dry or too moist.
During the healing process you may develop scabbing. Don't pick your scabs. If you pick at the scabs, we promise you will lose color. It is normal for the scab to be the color of the tattoo. For the first day or two it will seem as though all is well and there won't be a scab. Don't be fooled, the scab is there. After a few days, the scab will be more obvious and
the tattoo might look, "not attractive", don't worry this is normal. The skin needs to run its course of healing. Don't do
anything not on these instructions without consulting
us first. Remember, it is almost better to do nothing than to do something wrong. Note: A tattoo may feel warm & have redness around it while it is healing. The chance of an infection is very low. Please check with us if you have any
concerns.
Basic tips
Keep tattoos out of the sun.
This does not just mean sun worshipping!!! No sun
means, no sun. The UV rays will damage your fresh
tattoo. After the tattoo is healed (at least 3 weeks)
you should use fresh sunscreen of at least 35SPF or
more (we recommend 45-50 but not baby sunscreen).
This will help keep your color bright and the color contrast of your skin color the way it was meant to be. Yourskin tone is used as the highlight part of the artwork. If you tan it, the effect will change.
Allow the skin to heal, NO Picking, Soaking, Swimming, Tanning, Shaving, Heavy Sweating or whatever unusual thing you can think of. Avoid dirty clothing, bedding & pet hair. A good rule of thumb: If it feels like it is bothering the tattoo, then it probably is.
It doesn't matter what your "know it all" friends say, follow these instructions. If you have questions we are here to help. Don’t think your question is dumb. Please let us to help you, even if you simply want to double-check that all is going
well.
If you use any oily lotions or ointments like Aquaphor, only use for the first couple of days. after that use only a fragrance free lotion (Lubriderm or Curel)
Everything you touch will have filth on it. Wash your hands before doing anything with your tattoo. To avoid getting what ever you may have been touching off of it.