Traditional Healing

Remove Bandage after 1-4 hours. 

Wash your hands before touching your new tattoo! Tattoos are open wounds, so be sure you’re treating them like one. 

Wash the tattoo gently but thoroughly with your hands using an antibacterial, fragrance free soap (like Liquid Dial Gold) and warm water. Do not use anything abrasive such as a washcloth or loofah. 

Be sure when washing to clean the tattoo of any excess ointment or buildup. Buildup of lymph (the slimy buildup that forms on your tattoo) can result in scabbing, which you want to minimize as much as possible. 

After you wash your tattoo, pat it dry with a clean, disposable paper towel. Don’t use a regular towel as they can harbor bacteria. 

For the first 3-4 days wash often, about 3-4 times throughout the day or whenever you see buildup forming. After you wash and dry, apply a very thin layer of ointment (such as Aquaphor or Griffin Salve). Work the ointment well into the skin, especially over areas of heavy black or color. Do not smother or over-moisturize. 

Around the 4th day your tattoo should begin to flake and peel. Not every tattoo noticeably peels, so EITHER when you see it start to peel OR the 4th day, you can switch from the ointment to a gentle, fragrance free lotion (like Aveeno or Cetaphil). Keep washing the tattoo in the morning and night and lotion it throughout the day as you notice it needs it. DO NOT PICK AT OR SCRATCH YOUR TATTOO. It will likely be itchy– leave it alone and let it shed naturally <3 

Continue lotion for the next 2-3 weeks.

Healing with Tegaderm/Second Skin

Tegaderm MUST be applied within the first 24 hours of getting your tattoo. 

Wash the area WELL using an antibacterial, unscented soap (like Liquid Dial Gold) in a sterile environment. 

Allow the tattoo to fully air-dry or pat dry using a clean, disposable paper towel. Do not use a regular towel as they can harbor bacteria. 

Do not apply any ointments before applying tegaderm. The tattoo should be clean and completely dry. 

Leave about an inch of border around the tattoo. If you have to apply in patches, make sure the patches overlap. The tattoo must be completely covered. 

You can change the bandage after 24 hours if there is excess weeping, but it is not necessary if not. 

Remove the bandage on the 4th day.  It is easiest to remove in the shower with hot water, pulling in the direction of your hair growth. Pull slowly and gently to remove so you don’t aggravate the skin.

Wash tattoo with unscented antibacterial soap, pat dry with a clean, disposable paper towel, and apply a thin layer of unscented lotion (like Aveeno or Cetaphil). Wash morning and night and lotion throughout the day as you notice you need it. 

Lotion for the next 2-3 weeks. 

DO NOT 

Do not soak your tattoo and avoid submerging it in water for the first 2 weeks. No pools, lakes, hot tubs, or bubble baths (sorry). 

Do not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight. 

Do not pick at, peel, or scratch your new tattoo. If it itches, you can pat it GENTLY. 

Avoid working out for the first 5 days while the tattoo is still very fresh as sweat and heightened blood pressure could interfere with your body’s ability to heal your tattoo. 

Remember, your tattoo is an open wound! Avoid anything that could expose it to bacteria like gyms or dirty sheets. Keep your tattoo clean!