Tattoo Aftercare

Now that I’ve done my part in applying your new tattoo, it’s time for you to take the wheel with proper aftercare!

Saniderm aftercare

  • At the time of your tattoo appointment, I will apply a saniderm bandaid to the area.

  • Leave your saniderm bandaid on for 3-5 days. During this time, you might develop an “ink sack” of blood, plasma, and ink under the transparent bandaid. As long as no liquid is seeping out of your bandaid, you can wear this bandaid for the full five days. If the bandaid is leaking fluid, please remove and proceed with “old-school” aftercare (see next section.)

  • After the initial 3-5 day period, remove your saniderm in the shower under gently running lukewarm water. Pull the bandaid gently down and away from yourself - as if you’re removing a command strip!

  • With your fingertips only, gently wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap (gold dial works great.) Your tattoo might feel slimy to the touch - this is normal as you’ve had blood and plasma sitting on top of the tattoo for the last few days. Gently wash and rinse - do NOT soak, submerge, or use any washcloth or loofah on your tattoo.

  • Step out of the shower and pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. Once dry, take a dime sized amount of unscented lotion, or an even smaller amount of aquaphor/A&D ointment, and apply it to the tattoo. Rub the lotion or ointment completely into your skin - you should NOT see any lotion/ointment sitting on top of your skin, as that can harbor bacteria and make your tattoo soggy.

  • Repeat this wash/dry/moisturize process twice a day, and apply small amounts of moisturizer as needed. Remember, less is more, and always use clean hands.

  • Do not pick at any scabs or flaky skin. Do not submerge your tattoo in hot tubs, hot showers, bodies of water, etc.

  • Tattoos can take 4-6 weeks to fully heal from the peeling/flaking/new tattoo stage, but everyone is different. Just keep it clean, dry, and lightly moisturized!

Old school aftercare

  • At the time of your tattoo appointment, I will either wrap your limb with cling wrap, or tape a dri-loc pad (little padded squares that look like what comes in the package under chicken) to the area.

  • Keep the cling wrap on until you are home and settling in for the day (within a few hours of your appointment.) Cling wrap should not stay on your tattoo overnight.

  • In the shower, remove the cling wrap. With your fingertips only, gently wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap (gold dial works great.) Your tattoo might feel slimy to the touch - this is normal. Gently wash and rinse - do NOT soak, submerge, or use any washcloth or loofah on your tattoo.

  • Step out of the shower and pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. Once dry, take a dime sized amount of unscented lotion, or an even smaller amount of aquaphor/A&D ointment, and apply it to the tattoo. Rub the lotion or ointment completely into your skin - you should NOT see any lotion/ointment sitting on top of your skin, as that can harbor bacteria and make your tattoo soggy.

  • Repeat this wash/dry/moisturize process twice a day, and apply small amounts of moisturizer as needed. Remember, less is more, and always use clean hands.

  • Do not pick at any scabs or flaky skin. Do not submerge your tattoo in hot tubs, hot showers, bodies of water, etc.

  • Tattoos can take 4-6 weeks to fully heal from the peeling/flaking/new tattoo stage, but everyone is different. Just keep it clean, dry, and lightly moisturized!

FAQs

  • What if my saniderm comes off before the 3 days?

    • If it’s within the first day of being tattooed, go to the pharmacy and grab NexCare Tegaderm - it’s in the wound care section. Wash your tattoo and pat it completely dry, then apply a new patch. If it’s been a few days and the seal breaks, just resume aftercare as if it’s been 3-5 days.

  • When can I workout/swim/etc?

    • It’s worth taking a bit of a break on activities that might irritate your tattoo to get a good heal. I would say a week minimum - remember, you essentially have a (really cool) open wound!

  • Any product recommendations? What do you use?