Caring for a New Tattoo

You’ll need to make sure to properly care for your new tattoo in order to preserve it’s quality and avoid any infections. Follow these tips below for the best aftercare:

Initial Washing

When you begin your first washing, start by removing the bandage and tape gently. Then, make a lather in your hands with soap and warm water. Make sure to only use CLEAN HANDS to wash your tattoo. Do NOT use any washcloths, bath towels, bath sponges or loofahs on a fresh tattoo. Start gently cleaning the tattoo with your hand by wiping in a circular motion, until all ointment, blood, and lymphatic fluids are gone.

Rinse the tattoo, and then repeat the cleaning process again until the skin is completely clean. After this, you may try a clean paper towel to dab the tattoo dry.

Ointments

Once your tattoo is dry, apply AQUAPHOR healing ointment twice a day. Apply a thin layer and rub it in, then dab excess off with a clean paper towel. After using Aquaphor for the first 2-3 days, you may switch to a regular FRAGRANCE FREE lotion such as Lubriderm or another fragrance-free brand.

Weeping

Fresh tattoos occasionally “weep” throughout the first couple of days, which is essentially the build-up of plasma and ink on the skin. This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel. Press the paper towel to the skin and then remove. Do NOT wipe the tattoo or be rough with it. Do not panic when you see the colors of the tattoo on the paper towel, or on your hands as you clean it. This is simply excess ink being sloughed from the surface or the skin.

Daily Cleaning

A new tattoo does not need to be washed often. Cleaning it twice a day should be enough. Talk to your tattoo artist if you’re planning any excessive activity within the first ten days of receiving your tattoo.

Whenever the tattoo dries out, you may gently apply lotion to the affected areas. Be cautious though, if your skin is extremely sensitive, lotion may cause acne-like break outs.

Clothing

Wear loose, preferably cotton clothing your healing tattoo. Tattoos rarely need to be re-bandaged once the initial bandage is taken off. A bra strap, tight waistband, sweaty clothing on shoes can potentially cause issues with healing. Consult your tattoo artist for advice on what you should and shouldn’t wear while the tattoo is healing. If you decide to bandage your tattoo, make sure all wraps used are sterile and clean.

Scabbing

After a few days, the tattoo will begin to form flaky scabs, which is normal. DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR TATTOO, the scabs will fall off on their own. If you properly moisturize your tattoo, the scabs will slough eventually. The tattoo healing process can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks.

Questions or Comments?

As each situation is unique, DO NOT consult friends or family about specific issues. If you have ANY questions or concerns about your healing, feel free to contact us! Our artists are more than happy to help with any concerns you might have.