Aftercare Guide
~THE TEXT BELOW IS BASED ON E-MAILS THAT ARE SENT TO MY CLIENTS PRIOR TO THEIR APPOINTMENTS
Excited to see you soon! :)
Here are some things to read over before, or after, your appointment, so you know what to expect, and can prepare any additional questions you might have before you leave the studio.
In the best interest of your investment, please keep your schedule light right after getting tattooed. A fresh tattoo is an open wound! For optimal healing, you should be somewhere you can safely wash the tattoo within 2 hours of completion. Your body craves rest while it heals the injury, and clean environments are necessary to safeguard against infection!
However, we, of course, understand optimal scenarios are not always possible for everyone. We won't judge you and instead wish to simply remind you: your choices in the first few days go a long way towards the lifelong health and appearance of your tattoo! :)
After your tattoo is complete, you will be wrapped with a Standard Shop Bandage, and encouraged to follow the Standard Aftercare below. Optional Healing Alternative / Second Skin bandage information can be found at the BOTTOM of this page.
SUPPLIES
THINGS WE RECOMMEND FOR OPTIMUM HEALING:
Unscented liquid cleansing soap, such as Dial or Cetaphil
“Antibacterial” ingredients are OK, but not necessary
Aquaphor healing ointment (squeeze-tube or spray style)
Note: Aquaphor IS NO LONGER VEGAN - for a vegan option swap use Pure Shea Butter or a vegan-friendly Sensitive Skin Body Cream of your choice
An unscented lotion suitable for sensitive skin, such as Eucerin Daily Care or Aveeno Daily Moisturizer
Sensitive Skin Body Lotions with SPF are probably ok, review specific brands/varieties with your artist
As of July 2024, we do not sell aftercare products at our shop. I suggest purchasing via the links provided, or stopping by your local pharmacy / general cosmetics store before (or after) your appointment.
If you'd prefer to use a specific tattoo marketed brand of aftercare gel, ointment, or lotion, (Tattoo Goo, Mad Rabbit, H2Ocean, etc) not mentioned in this e-mail, that's fine! There are simply too many products on the market for us to have informed opinions or enough experience to recommend one over another.
DO NOT USE: antibiotic ointment; Vaseline; A&D products, scented body washes and soaps, or lotions with artificial fragrances or exfoliating properties (AHA, etc).
This email is based on anecdotal evidence and years of experience. Nothing in this email should be considered a replacement for a doctor's advice or equivalent to a dermatologist's opinion. We cannot guarantee the efficacy or safety of third-party products and recommend you follow common sense and manufacturer’s instructions.
instructions
FOR STANDARD AFTERCARE ONLY. THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT FOR ANY VARIETY OF SECOND SKIN BANDAGES
First things first:
* Wash your hands with soap & water before touching a fresh tattoo for any reason. For the first few days IT IS AN OPEN WOUND; treat it as such to avoid infection/scabbing/damage
*Two washes per day is the suggested minimum; Use common sense and repeat any cleaning/moisturizing steps as needed during the day if tattoo gets dirty/scratched/dried-out/etc
* A regular daily shower can count as 1 wash, if you follow the same steps of the washing/drying/ointment process as listed below; avoid washing the tattoo with your normal body wash, and be careful not to dry your tattoo with your regular cloth body towel.
Day 1: (After Leaving the Studio)
2 hours after leaving the studio: (preferably at home or somewhere you can safely care for the tattoo)
Wash hands thoroughly.
Remove and discard the shop-applied wrap or bandage.
Wash tattoo area gently with lukewarm water and unscented liquid soap.
Pat dry with a paper towel or air dry.
Wash hands again, and apply a THIN layer of Aquaphor (or whatever ointment you're using). Just enough to cover the tattoo. Do not glob it on thick.
Before bed:
Wash tattoo area gently again with lukewarm water and unscented liquid soap.
Pat dry with a paper towel or air dry.
Wash hands again, and apply a THIN layer of Aquaphor (or whatever ointment you're using).
Day 2:
* If you wake up and your tattoo is stuck to your clothes/sheets, use water or wet paper towels to gently loosen the dried plasma/blood. Do not pull or force it apart, you'll risk pulling ink out or leaving a scar!
Right after you wake up:
Wash tattoo gently with lukewarm water and unscented liquid soap.
Pat dry with a paper towel or air dry.
Wash hands again, and apply a THIN layer of Aquaphor (or whatever ointment you're using).
*Washing throughout the day is generally not necessary UNLESS the tattoo gets dirty or debris is stuck to it, in which case washing/drying/reapplying ointment can be repeated as necessary and according to common sense. Be aware that washing more frequently than necessary will irritate the tattoo and prolong the healing process.
Before bed:
Repeat same as day 1.
Day 3:
Right after you wake up: Repeat same as Day 2.
Before bed: Repeat same as Day 1 & 2.
Day 4-7:
Continue to wash your hands before touching the tattoo, but discontinue washing the tattoo specifically, unless the tattoo still seems tender to the touch or has ooze-y bits.
Switch to using lotion/moisturizer instead of Aquaphor/healing ointment. Keep the tattoo moisturized as needed over the course of the day and before bed.
Day 7 And Beyond:
Every body is different and heals at different rates, so from this point forward use your best judgment and common sense. If the tattoo area is dry or itchy, use lotion; if it feels ok, leave it alone. There is no need to over-moisturize. The more you can leave it alone, the faster it will fully heal and settle into your beautiful skin! :) Use SPF daily to keep it looking bright.
HOW TO AVOID MAJOR RISKS OF INFECTION AND COMPLICATIONS
!!! For the first 7 days DO NOT !!!!
Soak in water! This includes hot tubs, public pools, baths, dishwashing bins, etc
Submerge in ANY body of Outdoor/Natural Water (lakes, ponds, rivers, ocean etc) - your skin is vulnerable to infection and YOU MIGHT DIE from natural microbial diseases!
Pick or scratch at the tattoo area. (it will get itchy, but you need to leave it alone or you might pull out the ink you already paid for)
Let your friends, partners, pets, family, or anyone else touch, lick, scratch, rub, or otherwise harass the tattoo for any reason
Exercise vigorously at the gym or engage in activities where you’d get excessively sweaty (Don’t go to the gym AT ALL for the first 3 days ; there are a lot of germs in that environment)
Expose the unprotected tattoo to prolonged direct sunlight (this will also HURT)
Go to the beach / shore / boardwalk / sandy areas without protecting the tattoo
Do extensive gardening or landscaping work (microbes and germs in the dirt)
Go hiking or other activities that would leave the tattoo exposed outdoors for a prolonged period
Wear overly tight / chafing / rigid clothing over the tattoo, ie: tall boots, vinyl or latex fabrics, binders, braces, sports wraps, underwires etc
Let any harsh chemicals or cleaning aerosols get on the tattoo
Clean litterboxes, animal crates, or other things that could release airborne contaminants onto your tattoo
Any other thing you wouldn't do to an open wound
Failure to heed these cautions could lead to potentially lethal infections, scarring, loss of ink, or other complications. Don’t say we didn’t warn you ;)
BEFORE YOU ASK, "IS THIS NORMAL?"
Some swelling and redness during the first day or two is normal, especially for those with sensitive skin (such as myself). Itching while healing is also normal, but if it becomes unbearable, contact your physician.
As you will read on your studio intake form, allergic reactions, though rare, are always a possibility with any cosmetic, tattoo or piercing procedure. Allergic reactions or dermatitis may also occur due to environmental factors outside of your artist’s control or aftercare products. After you leave our work space, your artist / shop representatives can't always tell if your tattoo is "ok" or not, since we have no way of monitoring your health history or choices/behavior once you leave the studio. As long as you follow the proper aftercare, complications shouldn’t be an issue for the vast majority of clients.
Some body parts are naturally inclined to difficult heals and higher chances of infection - your artist will advise if this is the case, and failure to rigidly follow aftercare instructions puts you at heightened risk for contamination and scarring. There are also some body parts which WILL NOT hold ink the same as others, such as the fleshy parts of the hands and feet, and ink loss is expected and normal - this is why your artist likely advised against these tattoo placements. The client assumes all responsibility for ink loss if your artist has informed you of this possibility.
However, If you experience any signs of infection or prolonged irritation that make you uncomfortable (such as heat, redness, pus, swelling), or notice other adverse reactions or other abnormal conditions, promptly contact your physician, a dermatologist or skin care professional - they can help you way more than we can :)
ALTERNATIVE HEALING PRODUCT:
”Second Skin” Bandages
What They Are, and Why We Don’t Use Them by Default
"Second Skin Bandages" are a newer aftercare option sold under various brand names, such as Tegaderm, Saniderm, Second Skin, DermShield, and More. They are all the same type of sticky sheet membrane bandage. They work by covering the tattoo with a semi-permeable membrane that allows for oxygen transference while keeping the tattoo protected from water, dirt, bacteria, etc. They can be purchased by clients (you) online or at general pharmacy stores in the First Aid section. Their usage in the industry is not uncommon, but it’s somewhat inconsistent, and not all artists or studios provide these types of bandages.
I do not provide these bandages by default because I’ve had allergic reactions to them on my own tattoos. While these allergies ARE RARE, I don't want to be responsible for any client allergies.
If you bring your own Second Skin bandages, I will happily apply the bandage and provide relevant aftercare in studio. Most people use them without issue, and I strongly encourage any clients with a successful history of using these bandages to purchase them in bulk for future/continued use. Many varieties are available to purchase in rolls or large quantities online.
These bandages are ideal for clients who work in the service industry, outdoors, and medical professions that need to protect the tattoo from movement/contaminants in the initial days of healing. They are also beneficial for "difficult to heal" spots such as torso, back, and butt areas. But again, they are not recommended for those with sensitive skin and allergies to adhesives. They will cause itchy and uncomfortable rashes on and around the tattoo area for those with adhesive related allergies, dermatitis, etc. Some brands may also aggravate latex allergies.
Contact your artist if you have further questions about Second Skin bandages.
Hopefully this answers any questions you may have!! :) Please ask during or before your appointment if you have any additional concerns. We will always give you a tattoo in a medically sterile environment with allergen-free / safe materials to the best of our knowledge and ability.
What happens after you leave the studio is up to yooooou <3
And as always: Protect your investment and keep your skin healthy, apply SPF daily! xo
IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, OR SUSPECT ANY INFECTION OR OTHER COMPLICATION AT ANY TIME, CONTACT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL IMMEDIATELY.
TATTOO ARTISTS (such as the author of this blog) ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.
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