NEW TATTOO CARE

Caring for your new tattoo properly is just as important as choosing the right artist. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with our recommended aftercare methods. Our recommendations are based on our own experience healing extensive tattoo work as well as 45 years of helping clients heal their new tattoos. There are a lot of different ways to heal your tattoo, tons of different products and methods. The internet is full of tips and tricks and your friends will offer advice from their artists but we recommend a very basic and effective method of healing large and small tattoos. Please follow our instructions for the best healing process. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your artist directly.

Tattoo Aftercare

    • Leave covering on your tattoo for 5 days

    • Remove by pulling down and away from your tattoo, preferably in the shower or bath

    • Gently clean your tattoo with a mild unscented anti-microbial soap

    • Lightly moisturize your tattoo 3-4 times a day for 3 weeks

    Remove the covering as soon as possible and follow the aftercare provided below if:

    If your bandage leaks or gets a hole in it or pulls away from the skin allowing the tattoo to dry out

    If your skin appears red and irritated

  • Leave bandage on for 4-6 hours, or artist recommended time. After removing the bandage do not bandage or cover your tattoo again. Air is good for your tattoo, tight restrictive clothing is not good for your tattoo

    DAY 1 & 2:

    • Twice a day gently but thoroughly wash tattoo in warm water with a mild, unscented soap and follow with a 5 minute hot water soak or rinse, this is a very important step to help draw out excess pigment, vaseline and any buildup of cellular fluid. Pat tattoo dry using a clean paper towel and allow to air-dry

    Day 3:

    • Leave tattoo to dry - do not wash or apply moisturizer. This gives the tattoo a chance to settle into your skin before introducing a moisturizer

    DAY 4 & Onward:  

    • Rinse the tattoo for no more than 20 seconds a day, do not use soap, keeping it as dry as possible. On the fourth day when the tattoo begins to dry out, you may begin to apply a thin layer of an unscented moisturizer, such as Lubriderm or Aveeno no more than three times daily. Please remember to only use the lotion if the tattoo is feeling dry, tight or itchy. Too little lotion is better than too much.

  • DAY 1 & 2:

    • When you remove the bandage gently wash your tattoo with a mild unscented soap. This is a very important step to help draw out excess pigment, vaseline and any buildup of cellular fluid

    • Soak/rinse your tattoo in hot water for 5 minutes. Another very important step to help draw out extra fluid

    • Pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel

    • Wrap your tattoo in Saran Wrap and seal with tape so that your tattoo remains moist. Leave on overnight.

    • Remove Saran Wrap in the morning and wash tattoo gently but well to remove any cellular fluid and blood that has built up overnight

    • Follow with another 5 minute hot water soak/rinse

    • Wrap your tattoo in Saran Wrap and seal with tape so that your tattoo remains moist for the day

    • Repeat

    DAY 3:

    • Leave tattoo to dry - do not wash or apply moisturizer. This gives the tattoo a chance to settle into your skin before introducing a moisturizer

    DAY 4 & Onward:  

    • Rinse the tattoo for no more than 20 seconds a day, do not use soap, keeping it as dry as possible. On the fourth day when the tattoo begins to dry out, you may begin to apply a thin layer of an unscented moisturizer, such as Lubriderm or Aveeno, no more than three times daily. Please remember to only use the lotion if the tattoo is feeling dry, tight or itchy. Too little lotion is better than too much.

  • DO NOT pick or scratch at the tattoo during healing

    DO NOT wear restrictive clothing or clothing that rubs the new tattoo

    DO NOT swim or soak the tattoo during healing

    DO NOT expose your tattoo to direct sunlight for a minimum 2 weeks, preferably 4 weeks to allow your epidermis to heal.

    DO moisturize lightly, less is better than more and its typically better to allow your tattoo to dry out rather than apply too much moisturizer

  • Your tattoo is eligible for a free touch up during the 3 month period after your final appointment. Please stay in touch with your artist. Deviation from these instructions, waiting more than 3 months to come in for a touch up as well as touch up appointment no shows will void your free touch up.

    If you have any questions, please contact your artist, sooner than later.