The Most Common Bandaging I Use:

The most common bandaging I use is Second Skin. I use DERMOR and Tegaderm, but the aftercare for these brands is generally the same. I recommend keeping the bandaging on for 5-7 days. During this time, it should be monitored to make sure the bandaging isn't lifting and the seal around the tattoo isn't broken. You may shower with this bandaging, but you want to avoid soaking it in water, such as in a bath.

If the seal of the bandage is broken (e.g., edges lifting or noticeable leakage occurring), you will want to remove the bandage to prevent bacteria from getting underneath it. This could cause an infection, and we want to avoid that!

You may notice a buildup of fluid under the bandage while it is on, and this is totally normal! It's a buildup of blood and plasma, and it might look muddy due to pigment from the tattoo. But it’s a normal part of the healing process. You might also notice that the lines of your tattoo look fuzzy under the Second Skin. That’s normal, and once you remove the bandage and clean it, everything should be fine!

To remove the bandage, gently peel the Second Skin off, similar to how you would remove a Command Strip from a wall. This will help avoid peeling off any scabs that have formed. Second Skin can be removed easily in the shower, but sometimes it will leave some residue from the adhesive on the skin, which may make cleaning the tattoo more challenging. If this happens, adhesive residue can be removed with a small amount of coconut oil. Using clean hands, gently rub in circular motions on the residue, and it should eventually pebble and come off. Avoid picking the residue off of the tattooed skin. Make sure to clean the tattoo well after the adhesive is removed!

Other Types of Bandaging:

I also have other types of bandaging available, such as absorbent bandage pads, that we can use if you have adhesive allergies or do not like Second Skin. While most Second Skin bandaging is hypoallergenic, some skin types may still react to it. Please inform me if you prefer alternate bandaging!

Cleaning Your Tattoo:

Before removing your bandage, make sure your hands are clean and sanitized. After removing the bandage, I recommend cleaning your tattoo in a warm shower using a gentle antibacterial soap (such as Pears). Use your hands to gently clean the tattoo, removing any plasma, blood, or ointment. Any lingering plasma will feel a bit slimy to the touch, so you want to make sure the tattooed area is completely clean. Any plasma residue left on the skin can form scabs during the healing process.

You should gently wash and clean your tattoo every few hours for the first 24 hours after removing your bandage, and at least twice a day for the next few days. After each wash, you can lightly moisturize your tattoo with tattoo aftercare ointment, gentle unscented lotion, or my personal favorite: coconut oil. Please remember that less is more when applying any kind of aftercare! Applying too much will prevent your skin from breathing and may affect the healing quality of your tattoo.

Bacteria Awareness:

Please remember that your new tattoo is technically an open wound. Be mindful of your environment and avoid exposure to unwanted elements. Do not let any friends, family, children, strangers, or pets touch your fresh tattoo, as this can expose your open wound to unwanted bacteria and may cause an infection. Keep your tattoo clean and protected and only touch it with clean, freshly washed hands.

Make sure your bedding is freshly cleaned and cleaned frequently during the healing process. Tattoos can transfer some pigment, blood, and/or plasma, so make sure your bedding is something you don't mind getting stained in case any fluid transfers!

Water Control:

While I do recommend washing your tattoo to keep it clean, I advise against soaking it. Showers are totally fine, but if you are a bath person, we recommend keeping your tattoo from being submerged. If your tattoo is in a location where you cannot keep it out of submerged water while enjoying a bath, you will need to avoid baths until your tattoo is fully healed.

Swimming pools, hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, oceans, lakes, and/or rivers should be avoided until your tattoo is fully healed, as these can be breeding grounds for bacteria and can cause serious damage and/or infections.

The Sun:

While your tattoo is healing, you want to avoid direct exposure to the sun as well as tanning beds. Sunblock or tanning lotions/sprays (or spray tans) should not be applied while your tattoo is healing, as there is a higher chance of skin irritation or reactions during this time. Once your tattoo is healed, to keep it vibrant, you should avoid prolonged periods of sun exposure. However, if the tattoo will be exposed frequently and for long periods, apply quality sunblock to protect your tattoo and keep the pigment as vibrant as possible.

Once you join the tattoo club, you should also join the sunscreen club! Healthy skin will help your tattoos age gracefully!

The Healing Process:

Your tattoo will take approximately 4-8 weeks to heal, depending on the style of the tattoo, the size, the body placement, and how your body individually heals the tattoo.

During the healing process, your tattoo may peel, and some spots may scab slightly despite following all proper aftercare procedures. Peeling and mild scabbing are normal. Just do your best to let your body heal your tattoo and don’t pick at any peeling skin or scabs, as you may inadvertently lift some pigment from your tattoo!

Tattoo pigment sits in the second layer of the skin, so during the tattoo procedure, the top layer of skin is damaged, and this is the skin that peels during the healing process—similar to a mild sunburn. You will find that the tattooed area will become itchy as your body creates a new top layer of skin. Try not to scratch! Gentle moisturizing can help alleviate some of the discomfort, or gentle rubbing or patting, but please try not to scratch as you may inadvertently lift pigment or irritate the skin further.

If you experience excessive scabbing, this can be due to several factors. If the surrounding skin is not red, hot, or painful, you can apply a clean, warm compress to the scabbing area for approximately 5 minutes, 2-3 times a day to soften the scabs. They will eventually come off on their own. Sometimes, when scabs lift, they can remove some pigment, but this can be fixed with a touch-up appointment once your tattoo is fully healed.

If the surrounding skin is red, hot, or painful, this can be a sign of infection. While the body can still heal the area on its own, for safety, you may want to check in with a doctor or pharmacist for their professional opinion. I can offer suggestions if you reach out with concerns, but I am not medically trained to treat infections, so it’s better to be safe!

Please inform me if you are having issues with the healing of your tattoo, and keep me updated—I want to know you're okay!

If There Are Concerns During the Healing Process:

Sometimes healing doesn’t go as smoothly as we hope, and this can be due to many factors. The best course of action if you have concerns during the healing process is to be honest and keep me informed so I can work with you to the best of my ability.

Factors that can contribute to poor healing include:

• Not following aftercare advice and protocols

• Poor health or weak immune system

• Poor eating/drinking habits

• High stress/anxiety

• Poor sleep

• Medical issues

• Some medications

• Unforeseen reactions to aftercare products

Other factors could be difficulties during the tattoo procedure, such as:

• Excessive use of numbing agents

• Inability to sit still (making it difficult for the artist to execute their work smoothly)

• Consumption of painkillers before or during the procedure

• An unforeseen reaction to products used during the procedure

• Inexperience of the artist if they are still in their apprenticeship

Or a combination of the above.

I understand it can be frustrating when tattoos don’t heal the way we hope, but I strongly advise against jumping to conclusions or placing blame, as many factors can cause issues during healing. Please work with me—I only want your tattoo to heal well and for you to have the quality tattoo you paid for!