Aftercare is essential! Any damage to your fresh tattoo while its healing can affect its appearance and health, so it’s important to follow these steps.
Please understand that these are general suggestions. Everyone’s body is different. What works for some, may not work for others. For example, some people may require more moisturizing during the healing process, while others may require much less. Listen to your body, and immediately communicate any aftercare concerns to me or your personal physician.
DAY 1-4
SecondSkin is a transparent adhesive bandage. It prevents exposure to bacteria, dirt, and abrasion while offering breathability and flexibility, providing optimal conditions for gentle healing.
Keep your healing tattoo out of direct sunlight! Keep it covered with clothing if you’ll be spending any time outside.
While showering it’s totally fine for the outside of the bandage to get wet, but it is very important that shower water does not enter the bandage. If it does, the bandage needs to be removed and the tattoo needs to be washed with soap and water.
You may notice a small amount of plasma, blood, ink residue, or sweat collecting under the plastic. This is completely normal and nothing to be concerned about. You just don’t want anything from the outside world entering the bandage. If it seems excessive, go ahead and take it off.
Once you have reached 2-4 days, you are ready to take it off!
Directions for Removal:
Gently peel the bandage by pulling it slowly from the edge back over itself. Do not pull the bandage upwards.
After you have removed the bandage, you are ready to wash your tattoo.
DAY 5-10
Using clean hands, warm water, and antibacterial or castile soap, gently clean the tattoo twice a day. No scrubbing or fragrances. I suggest once in the morning & once at night. After the tattoo has been cleaned, allow it to air-dry. After it is completely dry, you can massage a small amount of unscented lotion or coconut oil to the area. No need to re-bandange, just let it breath!
Day 10 and After: Healthy Skin Maintenance
At this stage of the healing process, you can simply apply coconut oil whenever you feel that your skin may benefit from some additional moisturizing. You can also start wearing sunscreen on the tattoo at this point and I highly advise putting some on any time it will be directly exposed to the sun. The sun is one of the biggest contributors to tattoos fading so a good habit of wearing sunscreen goes a long way in protecting your art investments!
Additional Info
Only use clean hands when touching or washing your tattoo.
Absolutely no swimming, baths, sun exposure, or sources of bacteria (such as gym equipment) for a minimum of 2 weeks after your tattoo.
Keep showers a bit shorter than usual for the first two weeks. Preferably no longer than 10 minutes or so.
For the first few nights, sleep with your new tattoo carefully, keeping it out from under you and the blankets if you can.
As your tattoo begins scab, do not pick or stretch your tattoo.
Your tattoo should heal completely within 2-4 weeks. Hooray!
