top of page
18174880189228180_edited_edited.jpg

Tattoo Aftercare

The Responsibilities of a Canvas

Everyday From Day 1

(Until there is no more scabbing or shininess to your tattoo)

  1.  Keep in mind any specific directions given to you in person, instructions on this site are generalized. 

  2.  Do your best to keep your tattoo clean. Your hands should always be clean before touching your tattoo.

  3.  Protect your scabs and let them fall off naturally! Continue to shower as often as usual but do not soak your scabs. (This also means no swimming/saunas/hot tubs/ etc.)

  4.  Avoid excess amounts of sun exposure/tanning. Once your scabs have healed, sunscreen will help prolong the quality of your tattoo.

  5.  Get in touch if you cannot find your answer on this site.

First Few Days

With Tattoo Derm (Breathable Adhesive Bandage)

  1.  If you haven't grabbed your aftercare yet, I would suggest to do so as soon as possible. You will need fragrance free/ UNSCENTED soap and UNSCENTED lotion. (Make sure it says so on the label). The only other alternatives would be tattoo ointment or vitamin E oil. 

  2. You may notice a build up of fluids under your see-through bandaging, this is normal. Having little to no build up of fluids is also normal. Do not apply any pressure or damage the seal. The fluids you see are a mixture of plasma and ink. Keeping these fluids there will help your tattoo heal more quickly than without the bandage.

  3. Keep your eyes on your bandaging/ tattoo derm, especially around the edges. If you notice any leakage or any passage way for water to enter, do not rebandage or attempt to reseal. Please REMOVE the bandaging as soon as possible and clean the area immediately to prevent infection. (Feel free to contact me to confirm if you are unsure). Keep scrolling for bandage removal title to see how to safely remove the tattoo derm.

Tattoo Derm Removal (Approx. Day 3)

(Breathable Adhesive Bandage)

  1. If you did not have to remove your bandage due to leakage/seepage then you should notice the fluids drying up underneath. Keep bandaging on for 24 hours minimum and remove as soon as it looks dry underneath. Do not keep bandaging on for longer than necessary as it can cause irritation and damage your tattoo during removal. If you notice the fluid is not dry underneath you can keep your bandaging on until it is. Then follow the rest of these instructions.

  2. To remove the bandage, first make sure your hands and the area surrounding your tattoo are clean.

  3. Have the bandage under warm running water. Peel bandaging slowly by pulling closely to the skin (rather than a lifting motion). TAKE YOUR TIME. 

Approximately Day 3

With Tattoo Derm (Breathable Adhesive Bandage)

- Depending on your healing -

  1. After your derm looks dry and you have carefully removed it following the instructions above, allow some time for your tattoo to dry. Continue to wash it two times a day with unscented soap. You will usually notice after 1-2 days some scabbing/flaking and itchiness. This is when you would start lotion.

  2. Apply only a small amount of unscented moisturizer with clean hands. Do this two times a day/ three times maximum.

First Few Days

Without Tattoo Derm ( ONLY CLING WRAP )

  1.  Grab tattoo aftercare as your first priority. You will need fragrance free/UNSCENTED soap and UNSCENTED lotion. (Make sure it says so on the label). The only other alternatives would be tattoo ointment or vitamin E oil. 

  2.  Remove wrap when you are ready to clean your tattoo. Keep cling wrap on for a MAXIMUM of two hours. This will only aid in preventing infection due to accidental touch and is not as efficient as tattoo derm. Certain areas are not suited for tattoo derm due to more movement and stretch which heightens the risk of the bandage lifting and bacteria being trapped. 

  3. With clean hands, gently cleanse your tattoo with unscented soap. Rinse off with water. Pat dry with paper towel or a clean linen towel. Do this two times a day.

  4. After 2-3 days your tattoo will start to look and feel dry. This is when you should apply a thin amount of moisturizer (unscented lotion/ tattoo ointment/ vitamin e oil).  Do this two times a day with clean hands.

  5. Continue cleaning and lotioning your tattoo until your tattoo has healed (scabs have all fallen off naturally without picking/scratching).

1-2 Weeks

Depending on your healing (With or Without Derm)

  1. This is usually when your scabbing/flaking process has completed naturally. At this point you can stop washing your tattoo twice a day and just continue with moisturizing twice a day. If you have tattoo ointment, this is a good time to start using it.

  2. If you are headed out in the sun you can also apply sunscreen at this point.

  3. There will be a shininess to your tattoo for approximately 2 more weeks. Once you no longer notice this shininess you can reduce to moisturizing once a day.

4 Weeks +

Depending on your healing (With or Without Derm)

  1. Your tattoo should be fully healed or getting there at this point. To provide the best life for your tattoos, continue to moisturize once a day and apply sunscreen when out in the sun.

  2. Avoid any laser treatments (ex. tanning/hair removal) in areas where your tattoos are. You may wax/shave.

  3. If any touch ups are needed, the 1-3 month time period is the best time for it.

What NOT to Do

---------------------------

  • Avoid unnecessary touching of your tattoo during the healing process, especially by pets and other contaminants

  • Avoid causing friction to your healing tattoos from tight clothing

  • Avoid excessive motion in the area that can cause your skin to stretch, lifting your scabs prematurely. 

  • Avoid moisturizing with anything other than unscented lotion, vitamin e oil or tattoo ointment. (Definitely no petroleum jellies)

  • Avoid overcleaning and moisturizing while healing as it can cause irritation.

  • Avoid shaving/waxing during your scabbing process.

  • Avoid excessive amounts of water which can cause your scabs to fall off.

  • Avoid sun exposure, during healing process, and without sunscreen after scabbing process. 

  • Avoid being shy about getting in contact with any questions not answered on the site.

Please!

At any point

If you are experiencing concern with your tattoo and are unable to reach me please seek medical attention.

​

Also! Sending photos of your tattoo while it's fresh, during its healing process, after it's healed, when it's been healed for a long time, well, at any point really... is majorly appreciated! It's always lovely to see how my work has healed and changed. It also helps me grow in areas that could be improved. Thanks in advance!

bottom of page