Tattoo Aftercare
To maintain a healthy tattoo that will stay bright for years it’s important to care for it properly. Here is how to properly care for a tattoo. NOTE: If you’re worried that your tattoo may be infected or you may be having an allergic reaction, contact a doctor.
If you’ve been given a traditional bandage, leave it on for two to four hours. If you’ve been given saniderm, leave it on for 24 hours, or up to three days.
You can shower regularly with a new tattoo, even while wearing saniderm. However, do not take baths until the tattoo is fully healed.
It’s best to remove saniderm in the shower. Soak it thoroughly in hot water and slowly peel it off trying not to pull the skin away from your body too much, rolling the saniderm down as you go.
After carefully removing the bandage, wash the tattoo carefully in warm to hot water with a gentle, liquid soap. Carefully rinse all the soap off. Do not scrub.
Pat dry carefully and gently with a clean paper towel. Do not wipe the tattoo.
Once the tattoo has healed for about three days you can start to apply lotion. After cleaning allow the tattoo to air dry for a few minutes and then moisturize with a very thin layer of a gentle, water-based, unscented lotion. Dab off any extra with a clean paper towel.
After the first week you can start applying a thin layer of lotion any time the tattoo feels dry, itchy, or flaky.
Wear loose, clean, cotton clothing that covers the tattoo while healing, even at night if possible.
Keep exercise to a minimum for the first few days after your tattoo. After that, listen to your body and stop workouts if the tattooed area seems particularly sore.
Change your sheets before your first night and regularly while healing
Try to keep pets out of bed (good luck)
Do not scrub or exfoliate a fresh tattoo. Do not pick at scabs or flakes.
DO NOT SWIM OR SOAK IN WATER UNTIL YOUR TATTOO IS COMPLETELY HEALED, about a month after the appointment. That means no bathtubs, rivers, hot tubs, or swimming pools. Aside from the risk of bacterial infection, there are theories that letting a new tattoo get waterlogged can disrupt the placement of the ink.
Keep the tattoo out of the sun until it is healed. After that always apply sunscreen to keep the tattoo from fading.
Check in with your tattoo artist after a month or when the tattoo has stopped flaking if you would like to schedule a touch-up appointment. Touch-ups are free in most cases as long as you come back within a year and have done your best to take care of the tattoo.
If you’re concerned the tattoo may be infected or you may be having an allergic reaction contact a medical professional. Your tattoo artist is not a doctor and cannot diagnose or treat medical conditions.