TATTOO aftercare instructions

  • We recommend that you leave your bandage on for 2-3 hours or until the following morning, unless your artist has advised you otherwise.

  • When you are ready to take your bandage off, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before washing your tattoo.

  • Once your hands are clean, remove your bandage. Be mindful of any liquids (plasma, excess ink, etc.) that may be built up under the bandage. Properly dispose of your bandage and then move onto washing.

  • Gently wash your new tattoo with a clear unscented soap such as soft soap (or any similar brand)

  • Using your soap, massage the area with the palm of your hand until all residue has been removed. (please do not use a washcloth, luffa, bath brush, etc.) The goal here is to gently wash away any dried plasma, ink, and any product used during the application of your bandage.

  • Thoroughly rinse the tattoo with warm water until all residue as been removed. Your skin should have its normal texture when properly cleaned.

  • You may use paper towel or simply let your tattoo air dry. Please avoid using bath towels or any fuzzy textured towel which can leave behind any debris in your tattoo.

  • Apply a very small amount of a fragrance and dye free lotion of your liking and gently massage it into your tattoo to keep it hydrate. LESS IS MORE when it comes to this step. Too much product can result in suffocating your tattoo which will indeed harm it. Simply put you want to keep your tattooed skin supple as it recovers and heals from the trauma it endured.

  • You should repeat this cleaning and moisturizing process 3-5 times a day for 3-4 weeks.

  • Before bed and after washing, you may wrap your tattoo in a quality plastic wrap. If you do this we recommend only wrapping at night while you are sleeping. This process helps prevent the tattoo from becoming dry while you sleep, also helps keep it from getting stuck to bedding or clothing. If you wrap your tattoo moisturizing is not necessary. If you choose not to do this and you wake to find your tattoo stuck to the sheets or clothing please refrain from pulling it off. Carefully hop in the shower with the item still attached to you and let warm water run over it until it has separated.

    Things to avoid

  • no prolonged exposure to the sun and any direct sunlight for the first week to avoid sunburns.

  • no sleeping or laying on your new tattoo

  • no picking/pulling/peeling scabs or loose skin

  • no tight clothing, excessive sweating, other peoples bodily fluids

  • no swimming or submerging the tattoo in water for prolonged periods

  • do not let others touch your tattoo

  • do not put anything on your tattoo that hasn’t been suggested by us before consulting with us first.

Adhesive bandage instructions

  • Leave your bandage on for 48 hours. It is normal for your bandage to fill up with some fluid. This is plasma and excess ink and will not harm your tattoo. If you notice and fluid leaking out, clean it up and leave the bandage on for the remainder of that 48hours.

  • To remove the bandage, peel up a corner and work the edge up, and pull the bandage in a manor where you are stretching the bandage instead of peeling it away like turning a page. When stretching the bandage it is more likely to separate from your skin rather than pull on it. I recommend doing this during a warm shower, this will help the bandage come off easier.

  • Once the bandage is off, follow the aftercare instructions above.

  • If you were given a second bandage, after cleaning your tattoo, pat it dry with paper towel and immediately apply the second bandage and leave it on for no more than 7 days. DO NOT apply any moisturizer before the second bandage. The bandage will help keep your tattoo from drying out.

  • After that second bandage comes off make sure you still wash and moisturize your tattoo 2-3 times a day until your tattoo and skin is completely healed and back to normal.

Remember this is your tattoo, your investment. Take good care of your tattoo, use common sense and healing your tattoo will be a breeze.

Tattoos WILL be red, weepy, swollen, warm to the touch and tender for a few days to a week or so after application. This is normal inflammatory response.

If your body tolerates it, ibuprofen, tylenol or similar anti-inflammatories can be used for minimizing swelling and pain. Always check with your doctor before using medications you're unfamiliar with.

During healing you may experience flaking or peeling, do not pick at it.

Please do not hesitate to contact the shop or your artist directly if you have any questions or concerns about your tattoo.

IF YOU EVER THINK YOU HAVE AN INFECTION, CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR, WE CANNOT DIAGNOSE, TREAT OR GIVE ADVICE FOR MEDICAL PROBLEMS.