Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Standard Healing Process

(if using a medical grade adhesive bandage, please skip to next section)

Stage One: The wrap and the first washing

Expect to feel tired; your body just took a hit. Take it easy, drink plenty of water, eat nutritious food, and get some rest. Keep the wrap on for at least four hours, but overnight is often best. Minor swelling is normal, especially around the joints or lymphnodes. If you experience swelling, take ibuprofen or aspirin and elevate the area. 

If you keep the bandage on overnight, wash the tattoo immediately upon waking. If not, wash the tattoo immediately upon taking off the bandage. 

The first time you wash your tattoo after removing the wrap is the most critical part of the healing process; give it time and careful attention. 

Use a mild soap that is free of heavy fragrances or dyes that would irritate cuts and scrapes. Use only your fingers to wash your tattoo, no wash cloths or sponges. Lather and rinse the tattoo a few times until absolutely no sliminess or shiny spots remain on the skin. Expect that certain areas of the tattoo will need extra washing in order to achieve this. When finished washing, pat the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel or let it air dry, do not use fibrous towels. 

Stage Two: Before the Peel (first 3-4 days)

Once you take off the wrap, the tattoo is an open wound and should be treated as such. Do not allow the tattoo to come in contact with germs (unwashed hands, pets, linen or clothing not freshly laundered, furniture and other surfaces). The easiest way to prevent germ contact is to wear clean, soft, breathable fabrics over the tattoo (such as cotton). Make sure clothing is loose-fitting, no waistbands or bra straps that will rub against the tattoo.

Wash the tattoo two to three times a day for the first few days. After washing, pat dry or air dry the tattoo, and you can apply a VERY small amount of ointment to prevent cracking or drying out. It’s impossible to apply too little, but easy to apply too much. Use a tic-tac sized amount of ointment for fist-sized tattoos. 

Stage Three: Peeling (estimated to last 1-2 weeks) 

The tattoo will peel like a sunburn after 3-4 days, and might even peel twice before being fully healed. Your tattoo shouldn’t be sore any longer, but will probably be itchy at this stage. You don’t need to apply ointment anymore, but can switch to a fragrance-free lotion if desired. 

Please keep in mind…

• If you have any questions about healing, email your artist. 

• If you have any serious problems, consult a doctor. 

• Keep your tattoo clean during the healing process. 

• Do not expose your tattoo to the sun or tanning beds. 

• Do not submerge your tattoo in water (lakes, pools, baths, etc). Showers are fine, of course. 

• Do not shave the area or apply any skin care products unrelated to healing (hair removal, deodorants, etc)

• Your new tattoo (and skin around it) will look a little red and irritated for the first couple days. 

If using a medical grade adhesive bandage…

1: First adhesive bandage for 24 hours

Expect to feel tired; your body just took a hit. Take it easy, drink plenty of water, eat nutritious food, and get some rest. Minor swelling is normal, especially around the joints or lymphnodes. If you experience swelling, take ibuprofen or aspirin and elevate the area. 

Keep the adhesive bandage that your tattoo artist applied on for 24 hours. You are able to shower with the bandage on, but be careful it doesn’t get too much direct water, because it may peel prematurely. 

2. Remove the first bandage

When you are ready to remove the bandage, the shower is the ideal place, using warm water (but not so warm that it causes discomfort or pain). Lather up your hands with a mild soap that is free of heavy fragrances or dyes that would irritate cuts and scrapes. 

Find an edge of the bandage that seems easiest to peel back. Slowly peel the bandage from your skin, and use the running water and soap to help remove it from any parts that aren’t easily coming free. If there is adhesive residue leftover on the skin, or the adhesive is not loosening enough with water, coconut oil and baby oil are helpful for removal.

Discard the used bandage. Wash your tattoo with the mild soap. Use only your fingers to wash your tattoo, no wash cloths or sponges. After washing, pat dry with a clean paper towel or allow to air dry, but do not use a fibrous towel. 

3. Second adhesive bandage for 2-5 days

Apply another adhesive bandage, but first make sure the skin around the tattoo is clean and fully dry, and the new piece of adhesive bandage is cut to the appropriate size (at least ¼ inch larger than the tattoo itself, to give room for the bandage to stick to surrounding skin). 

Keep this second bandage on for 2-5 days.  If the skin around the bandage appears irritated, tender, or hot, you might have an allergy or reaction to the bandage, and it’s probably best to remove it.

Please keep in mind…

• If you have any questions about healing, email your artist. 

• If you have any serious problems, consult a doctor. 

• Do not expose your tattoo to the sun or tanning beds. 

• Do not soak your tattoo in water for long amounts of time. Avoid very hot water (hot tubs and baths). 

• Be alert for signs of an allergic reaction to the adhesive

Note: If you choose to remove the adhesive bandage early, remember that the tattoo is an open wound and should be treated as such. Do not allow the tattoo to come in contact with germs (unwashed hands, pets, linen or clothing not freshly laundered, furniture and other surfaces). The easiest way to prevent germ contact is to wear clean, soft, breathable fabrics over the tattoo (such as cotton). Make sure clothing is loose-fitting, no waistbands or bra straps that will rub against the tattoo. Wash the tattoo 1-2 times per day.