Taking care of your fresh tattoo, is the most integral part of your tattoos long term appearance and health.
Saniderm/second skin bandage removal:
You can leave this type of bandage on for 3-5 days, however, you may remove it any time after 12 hours if you prefer. When removing your bandage, make sure to remove it in the shower. At this point, you will probably have a collection of fluid beneath your bandage. This is a pool of blood, plasma, excess ink, and nothing to worry about.
Take your bandage by the corner and gently pull, parallel to your body (not up and back). This will release the pocket of fluid build up, so again, be mindful to do this in the shower. When bandage has been removed, with clean hands, lather mild unscented soap and wash your tattoo gently until residue has been removed. Be gentle but thorough, and make sure not to use anything abrasive (cloths, shower puffs, loofah’s or exfoliating scrubs).
Once out of the shower, pat dry with a clean dry towel, and then let air dry.
Keep your tattoo clean and dry for the first few days; after the first two days after bandage removal, you may use a small amount of unscented moisturizer and can do so twice a day. Your tattoo will heal like a sunburn; it will get itchy and it will flake, and this is completely normal. Generally speaking, a tattoo will stop flaking somewhere around the 2 week mark, give or take. 4 weeks and your tissue will look healed, 6 weeks and your tissue should be healed. If any touchups are necessary, they should be done after the 6 week mark to ensure your tissue has had adequate time to heal, and your tattoo has settled. If you believe your tattoo requires a touch up or have any questions about the healing process of your tattoo, please reach out to me or to your health care provider.
Sterile Pad Bandage Removal:
You may remove this bandage the morning after your tattoo appointment, and should do so in the shower. Make sure to soak your bandage in the warm/tepid water of the shower. This will ensure that you are loosening your tattoo from your bandage. When your body is attempting to close up the wound of your tattoo, it sends blood and plasma to the surface of your skin to close your tattoo, and this will absorb into the pad. If this then dries into the pad and you try to remove it without getting it wet, not only will it be painful, it could take tissue and some of your tattoo with it.
When bandage has been removed, with clean hands, lather mild unscented soap and wash your tattoo gently until residue has been removed. Be gentle but thorough, and make sure not to use anything abrasive (cloths, shower puffs, loofah’s or exfoliating scrubs).
Once out of the shower, pat dry with a clean dry towel, and then let air dry.
Keep your tattoo clean and dry for the first few days; after the first two days after bandage removal, you may use a small amount of unscented moisturizer and can do so twice a day. Your tattoo will heal like a sunburn; it will get itchy and it will flake, and this is completely normal. Generally speaking, a tattoo will stop flaking somewhere around the 2 week mark, give or take. 4 weeks and your tissue will look healed, 6 weeks and your tissue should be healed. If any touchups are necessary, they should be done after the 6 week mark to ensure your tissue has had adequate time to heal, and your tattoo has settled. If you believe your tattoo requires a touch up or have any questions about the healing process of your tattoo, reach out to me or to to your health care provider.
Do’s and Do Nots:
Do Not - pick at it, as this can lead to ink loss and infection.
Do Not - Over moisturize: your body needs to heal, and if you keep it moist with constant moisturizer, this will prolong the healing process and thus could lead to infection; the longer a wound is left open, the more opportunity there is for bacteria to cause problems.
Do Not - Submerge your fresh tattoo in dish water, bath water, or go swimming for at least 2 weeks. The same goes for sauna, hot tub, steam room or hot yoga.
Do Not - Expose your fresh tattoo to direct sunlight for the first 4 weeks. This is fragile tissue, and burning it in the initial stages of healing is not conducive to long term appearance and health of your tattoo. Use SPF 30 or higher on tattoos after fully healed and while in direct sunlight.
Do - Use a small, pea sized amount of moisturizer on your tattoo after waiting the appropriate amount of time, which is given in the above aftercare instructions. If you have received a large tattoo and a pea sized amount is inadequate, adjust accordingly but don’t go overboard. Less is more.
Do - Lightly pat your tattoo when it’s healing to relieve itch. Another way to help alleviate discomfort, is by gently rubbing the backs of your fingers over the surface of your tattoo.
Do - Allow your tattoo breathing room. Avoid tight clothing, and cotton is best. Friction from tight clothing is not your friend during the healing process.
Do - Contact me or your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.