aftercare

Avoid touching your tattoo. Never touch your tattoo without washing your hands. Do not pick at or peel your tattoo.

Wear clean, soft and loose clothing over your tattoo for the first 2 weeks– nothing abrasive or tight. Try to wear only natural fibers (like cotton or bamboo).

Keep the second skin bandage on for 24 hours minimum & up to 4 days maximum. If you experience any discomfort or notice itchiness or redness around the edges of the bandage, remove it.

How to properly remove the second skin: do not peel the bandage off like a wax strip, always pull and stretch the bandage off from all 4 edges; this will prevent healing skin from lifting off with the bandage (which can damage the tattoo). Removing the bandage while in a warm shower can help the medical adhesive warm up & loosen off of your skin.

Do not put any cloth bandages or pads on your tattoo. The fibers of this material will adhere to your tattoo and hinder the healing process. 

For  ONE week after removing the second skin, wash, dry & apply ointment to your tattoo 2-5 times daily. Here's how:  
 - Wash your tattoo using warm water and anti-bacterial liquid soap (like unscented Dial). BE GENTLE, don't be abrasive!  Only use your hands, do not use a washcloth. 
- Gently pat (don't rub) your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. Avoid using cloth towels (they often harbor bacteria).
· Rub a small amount of ointment on your tattoo; I suggest Aquaphor, an unscented lotion, or Hustle Butter Deluxe tattoo ointment (sold in the shop). Do not use Vaseline, petroleum, or Neosporin,. Always use clean hands to apply the ointment and do not place your fingers back into the container after touching your tattoo. Be sure to rub all of the ointment in & do not use too much: you want the thinnest application possible. If you apply too much ointment, pat off any excess with a clean paper towel.   

No swimming, baths or hot tubs for at least 3 weeks (your tattoo is not allowed to soak in water). Showers are fine; just avoid having other body products touch your tattoo. When cleansing your tattoo in the shower, be sure to only use unscented anti-bacterial soap and still pat your tattoo dry with paper towel.

You may wrap your tattoo in saran wrap when sleeping to prevent sticking to your bedding, but do not wrap your tattoo for too long or too often.  

In approximately ONE week your tattoo will begin to peel. This is normal! Do not pick at the skin or scabbing. Continue applying ointment for a minimum of TWO more weeks, 2-5 times daily. You no longer need to wash your tattoo before applying ointment, but you do need to wash your hands. Wash your tattoo as needed.

Avoid sun exposure to your tattoo to the sun for at least 3 weeks (preferably 6). When you are ready for sun, always use a strong SPF to prolong the life of your body art & protect your skin.

Avoid intense perspiration for 3 weeks; gyms, saunas & hot weather should be avoided. Perspiring can cause ink to "push out" but more importantly, exposure to sweat  (because it is filled with tons of bacteria) raises the infection risks of your tattoo. If you must work out before your tattoo is healed, low activity workouts are recommended. Be very cautious around gym equipment: wash & disinfect well before using!!

If at any point you are experiencing severe discomfort or if you believe your tattoo has been exposed to a risk of  infection, please seek the help of a medical professional immediately.