HEALING
Healing With Second skin / Saniderm Bandage
If you are healing your tattoo with second-skin (tegaderm, saniderm) you can leave this bandage on for 4 to 5 days as long as it is fully sealed and has no leakage. Fluid build up under the bandage is normal and actually aids the healing process but if it leaks out of the bandage, the bandage should be removed.
After the 4-5 days remove the second skin when you are in the shower, clean the tattoo with soapy water (Dr. Bronner’s soap preferred) and let the tattoo dry completely. With clean hands, apply a layer of unscented lotion to the tattoo and rub it all the way in.
Continue to apply lotion 2-3 times throughout the day as it feels dry.
Wash your tattoo again at night, let dry and apply lotion.
Repeat this process for the following 1.5 weeks or until the tattoo is healed (feels like regular skin again).
Do not at any point expose your healing tattoo to direct sunlight, if you plan to be in the sun make sure to keep your tattoo fully covered.
Do not submerge your tattoo in any bodies of water (hot-tub, lake, ocean, pool) until it is fully healed.
Never touch your tattoo with dirty hands, keep your pets and pet dander away from a fresh tattoo.
If your tattoo scabs at all do not pick at the scabs as it will remove the pigment, scabs will heal on their own and retain pigment if they are not messed with.
You will know your tattoo is fully healed when it feels flush with your skin again.
If at any point you feel like your tattoo has become infected please reach out to your artist and seek medical attention immediately.
If at any point you have any questions please ask your artist before you ask google!
Healing a tattoo without second-skin/saniderm bandage
If you are healing your tattoo without second skin, leave the bandage on for 4-6 hours post tattoo, remove the bandage and wash your tattoo gently with soapy water let tattoo dry out all the way (you may use a dry, clean paper towel) apply a thin layer of aquaphor and rub it in all the way, please do not smother your tattoo!
Wash your tattoo 3 times a day for the following 5 days and apply a thin layer of aquaphor once the tattoo has dried each time. After those 5 days switch to washing your tattoo morning and night and applying a thin layer of unscented lotion to the tattoo throughout the day 2-3 times as it feels dry.
Do not at any point expose your healing tattoo to direct sunlight, if you plan to be in the sun make sure to keep your tattoo fully covered.
Do not submerge your tattoo in any bodies of water (hot-tub, lake, ocean, pool) until it is fully healed.
Never touch your tattoo with dirty hands, keep your pets and pet dander away from a fresh tattoo.
If your tattoo scabs at all do not pick at the scabs as it will remove the pigment, scabs will heal on their own and retain pigment if they are not messed with.
You will know your tattoo is fully healed when it feels flush with your skin again.
If at any point you feel like your tattoo has become infected please reach out to your artist and seek medical attention immediately.
If at any point you have any questions please ask your artist before you ask google!