Aftercare Instructions:
If you take care of your new tattoo, you’ll have it to enjoy for the rest of your life! Below are some suggestions that can help your new tattoo heal faster and stay looking beautiful for years to come. 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 1-5: Healing with SecondSkin™
SecondSkin is a latex-free, transparent adhesive bandage. It prevents exposure to bacteria, dirt, and abrasion while offering breathability and flexibility, providing optimal conditions for gentle healing. It is waterproof and durable enough to keep up with your everyday activities.
You can exercise with this bandage but it is important not to overdo it as this can cause the bandage to peel up.
Keep your healing tattoo out of direct sunlight! Keep it covered with clothing if you’ll be spending any time outside.
When you shower, 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.
Also, while wearing the bandage, 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 3-5 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. Read below for what steps to take next.
Day 5-10: Cleaning and Moisturizing your new Tattoo
Using clean hands, warm water, and antibacterial or castile soap, gently clean the tattoo twice a day. I suggest once in the morning & once at night. After the tattoo has been cleaned, allow it to air-dry for about 10 minutes. After it is completely dry, you can massage a small amount of coconut oil to the area.
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:
Keep showers a bit shorter than usual for the first two weeks. Preferably no longer than 10 minutes or so.
Avoid using loofas and bath towels on your tattoo during the healing process. Both can hold quite a lot of bacteria, which will only complicate the healing of your tattoo.
Avoid soaking your tattoo at all for the first two weeks. This includes bathtubs, swimming pools, hot tubs, or any natural body of water.