Congratulations on your new tattoo! By following these simple instructions, the healing process should be quick and easy.
Keep the bandage on for a minimum of 6 hours. We recommend keeping it on overnight provided the dressing feels comfortable and secure. If you decide to remove the bandage before going to sleep, follow the instructions in the next section to properly remove the bandage and clean your tattoo.
On your first night, there’s a chance your tattoo will still bleed. The blood can dry overnight and stick to your clothes or bedding. If this happens, gently take the fabric off. DO NOT force it off or be rough with it. If it still does not come off, wet the area with lukewarm water and gently slide it off.
Fresh tattoos sometimes “weep” during the first couple of days, meaning that plasma and ink form a thin moist coating on the skin. This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel. Press the paper towel to the skin and 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 secreted from the surface or the skin.
To avoid stains, use towels and bedsheets with darker tones and wear dark clothing.
Before you start, make sure your hands are clean and you have unscented antibacterial soap ready. Avoid soap with fragrance, moisture beads or scrubs.
Applying too much ointment can cause your tattoo to “suffocate.” Apply only a very thin coat so your tattoo can breathe.
Clean your tattoo this way once a day in the shower for the first 2-3 days.
There is no need to re-bandage the tattoo, but please be mindful that your tattoo is a wound and when unwrapped, it is prone to dirt and bacteria which may cause infection. Avoid direct contact with any surface.
Apply the Aquaphor or Bacitracin 2-3 times a day (Remember, keep it light!) for the first 5-7 days or until your tattoo starts to flake/peel like a sunburn. When the peeling begins, switch to a regular FRAGRANCE FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance free brand for an additional 2 weeks.
Your tattoo should be completely healed within 2-4 weeks.
If you have extremely sensitive skin, the lotion may cause breakouts. If this happens, just reduce the number of your daily lotion application.
After the first few days, your tattoo may become itchy or begin to form flaky scabs. They will fall off on their own, so DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR TATTOO. Doing so can cause some of the pigment to disappear, and your tattoo may not heal properly. Keep it moisturized and the scabs will eventually dissipate.