AFTERCARE

AFTERCARE

Congratulations on your new tattoo

Here’s the aftercare process that I use, and that I recommend for my clients:

Step 1: Remove plastic wrap after 1 hour or bandage after 24 hours

Your new tattoo should have plastic wrap or an adhesive bandage on it. If plastic wrap, remove it after 1 hour, MAX 2 hours. If an adhesive bandage, you can leave it on for 24 hours. After 24 hours, under warm water, grab an edge of the bandage and then pull downwards, away from you. Then continue to step 2

Step 2: With clean hands, wash tattoo with antibacterial handsoap

With clean hands and under warm water, gently wash the tattoo with an ANTIBACTIERIAL hand soap. I personally opt for Dial Gold but you can use whatever brand, as long as it’s an ANTIBACTERIAL hand soap.

Step 3: Pat dry with a paper towel or air dry

Then, either pat dry the tattoo with a paper towel or let it air dry. DO NOT USE A REGULAR TOWEL. Regular towels can build up bacteria in the lint and can transfer onto your new tattoo, causing an infection.

Step 4: With clean hands, apply a thin layer of unscented lotion

Then with clean hands, apply a thin layer of an unscented lotion of your choice. I recommend Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, and Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. Only a thin layer to give it what it needs, do not suffocate it as that can lead to infection.

Step 5: Repeat this process 3 times a day for 2-3 weeks

You’ll repeat the wash-dry-moisturize process 3 times a day. Once when you wake up, once in the middle of the day (after work, after the gym, after any sweaty activity), and once before you go to bed. If the tattoo still feels tender after 2 weeks, continue for another.

What to avoid:

  • Scratching, picking, and peeling the tattoo. This will affect it’s healing and can cause an infection.

  • Direct sunlight, as the UV rays can break down the ink.

  • Open bodies of water like pools, hot tubs, oceans, lakes, etc. for at least 4 weeks.

  • Tight clothing that suffocates the tattoo, you must let it breathe.

  • Touching the tattoo on dirty surfaces like public doorknobs and dirty gym equipment. This can lead to an infection.

  • Over moisturizing, too much moisturizing can clog pores, trap bacteria and delay healing

  • The gym for the first 4 days. The tattoo is most vulnerable in the first few days, so avoid excessive sweating. Once you return to working out, wash it IMMEDIATELY afterward.

  • Harsh soaps and scented lotions, these can irritate the tattoo and affect the healing.

  • Dirty bedsheets in the first stage of healing. Make sure your sheets are clean before, as your fresh tattoo will be in contact with it for hours.

*Go to the doctor if:

  • There is excessive swelling, redness, and warmth around the tattoo (a little is normal, but a lot is bad)

  • There is a pus, foul odor, or yellow/green discharge from the tattoo

  • You have flu-like symptoms in combination with the signs above