Aftercare

Adhesive Bandage Instructions:

If your adhesive bandage is applied immediately after your tattoo is finished:

  • Leave the bandage on for at least 24 hours.

  • For most clients, leave the piece of Recovery on for 3-5 days (up to a week depending on your skin and/or tolerance to your own plasma)

  • Typically, the more time it has to heal in the adhesive bandage, the quicker the healing process. Note: the non-tattooed skin under and around the adhesive bandage may become a bit irritated. This may be uncomfortable, but it won’t affect the healing process of the tattoo.

  • Shower and wear clothing as you normally would. We do NOT recommend submerging the bandage in water (I.E. no swimming, hot tubs, or baths).

  • Do not expose your tattoo to sunlight for long periods of time.

If your artist uses plastic wrap and sends you home with an adhesive bandage:

  • Wash your hand thoroughly before taking care of your tattoo.

  • Remove plastic wrap after 2 hours (or when you get home/to a clean place to wash your tattoo).

  • Wash tattoo with warm water and DIAL antibacterial soap. Using your fingertips, gently massage your tattoo in a circular motion. Make sure to remove all excess blood/plasma. Do NOT pick or scratch at your tattoo. Let air dry or pat dry with a PAPER towel - do NOT use a cloth/fiber towel. Do not apply ointment/aftercare at this time.

  • If you have pets that share furniture/bedding with you, wrap your CLEAN tattoo with plastic wrap overnight.

  • First thing the next morning, wash and dry your tattoo as directed above.

  • To ensure the tattoo is completely dry and sterile, we recommend gently wiping the tattoo down, once, with rubbing alcohol.

  • Cut a piece of the bandage, allowing at least a 1” border of undamaged skin around the tattooed area.

  • Peel off the white paper backing to reveal the adhesive side and gently apply the bandage using light pressure. For best results, make sure the skin is in a neutral position (not stretched or bent).

  • Remove the clear, plastic top, leaving behind the clear adhesive bandage on the skin. Voila!

Taking off the adhesive bandage:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly before taking care of your tattoo.

  • It is easiest to remove the Recovery in the shower.

  • Peel the adhesive bandage back close to your body (like you’re peeling a banana) using warm water to help break down the adhesive from the skin. Dispose of the used bandage once removed.

  • Wash tattoo as directed above. Let air dry or pat dry with a paper towel. Make sure the tattoo is completely dry before applying an aftercare product.

  • To moisturize your tattoo, use a THIN amount of either, the aftercare we sell upfront or an unscented lotion that doesn’t have any perfumes or dyes. (I.E. Lubriderm, Aquaphor, CeraVe). Use this sparingly twice daily for the first week. Make sure to wash your tattoo between applying moisturizing aftercare.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Your tattoo will naturally seep out a liquid with blood, plasma, and ink, which will gather under the adhesive bandage. This is normal! We think it looks like a soy sauce packet! (YUUUMMM)

  • If the adhesive bandage falls off or you tear a hole in it and your tattoo becomes exposed, remove the rest of the bandage and wash the tattoo thoroughly. Also, remove the adhesive bandage if you can feel shower water leaking into it.

  • If you experience unusual itching, burning, bumps, or discoloration directly on or right around the tattoo, take the bandage off immediately and wash the tattoo thoroughly. This may be an allergy to adhesives.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

REGULAR AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS:

Remove your plastic wrap (and meat pack if applicable) bandage after 2 hours. Wash your hands thoroughly and then gently use your fingertips to wash your tattoo with warm water and Dial antibacterial soap (the gold kind). Be sure to remove any blood and plasma from your fresh tattoo. Allow your tattoo to air dry completely or pat dry with a clean paper towel (do not use a cloth towel). Apply a thin layer of your artist's recommended aftercare.

Wash and apply aftercare on your new tattoo twice daily for the first two weeks. After two weeks, you can switch to a non-scented, dye-free lotion such as Aveeno, Eucerine, or CeraVe.

DO NOT:

  • Use a washcloth loofa, or scrub on our new tattoo until it is fully done peeling.

  • Expose your new tattoo to the sun

  • Swim or soak in water

  • Take advice from friends

DO:

  • Shower as usual

  • Keep your fresh tattoo clean

  • Wear loose, non-irritating clothing around your tattoo