TATTOO AFTERCARE
Here’s a list of items I recommend having on-hand to heal your tattoo:
Gauze pad bandages
Self-adhesive wrap
Medical tape
Anti-bacterial soap
Bactine (anti-bacterial spray)
Paper towels
Lotion - coconut oil or Aquaphor
~ these items can be found in the FIRST AID section of any pharmacy ~
Here are guidelines for two ways of healing your tattoo:
with the DERM SHIELD bandage
without the DERM SHIELD bandage
WITH THE DERM SHIELD BANDAGE:
I typically bandage all clients with this because it works so well.
Keep this bandage on for 4 days.
You will notice liquid pooling up underneath the bandage - this is normal! This is just plasma and ink. Some of this liquid may leak out - I would suggest not sleeping in your best bed-sheets / or wearing your favorite white clothing during this time as they may get stained.
The Derm Shield bandage is water-resistant, so taking showers is fine. I would not recommend bathing, or any kind of communal water - hot tubs, pools, ocean etc. Working out is also fine. Although I would avoid anything really sweaty - like hot yoga - as too much sweat can cause the bandage to become unstuck.
Keeping the bandage secure is your main focus for the first 4 days. Wrapping it entirely with the self-adhesive wrap is a technique that works well - or using medical tape to secure edges that may have started rolling up. If you have wrapped the Derm Shield bandage under the self-adhesive wrap, remove this before showering, and then re-wrap afterwards.
REMOVAL - do this after a long shower / soaking in the tub. The purpose of soaking before beginning to remove is to help soften the adhesive. Slowly begin to peel one of the edges away. Take your time here - it may take a good 5 mins to peel it off. Under no circumstances should you remove the bandage without pre-soaking. Do not take the Derm Shield off dry. Do not rip it off quickly. Once the bandage has been removed, clean it off with soap and then rinse with clean water.
LOTION - start applying the lotion 24 hours after the bandage removal. Use a small amount twice a day for the first 2 weeks and then switch to once a day until it’s settled.
REASONS TO REMOVE THE BANDAGE BEFORE THE FIRST 4 DAYS - if the bandage rolls-up and the tattoo becomes exposed or if your skin becomes irritated and red around the edges of the bandage. If this happens, follow my instructions below:
WITHOUT THE DERM SHIELD BANDAGE:
Keeping your tattoo clean and covered is your main focus until it stops seeping plasma. Your new tattoo is essentially an open wound and protecting it against an infection is really important.
CLEANING / BANDAGING - Twice a day - you’ll need to wash your tattoo with anti-bacterial soap, pat it dry with a clean paper towel, spritz with anti-bacterial spray, cover with a gauze-pad bandage and secure with self-adhesive wrap or medical tape. Once with tattoo has stopped seeping plasma, it’s no longer an open wound, so you can stop this step then.
LOTION - After the tattoo has stopped seeping plasma, wait 24 hours before you apply lotion. Use a small amount twice a day for the first 4 weeks, then switch to once a day until it’s settled. Do not pick at any of the scabs - this can cause scarring and for ink to ‘fall out’.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Ibuprofen can help with the pain and swelling after your tattoo session.
Ensure your hands are clean during re-bandaging / applying lotion.
Taking a multi-vitamin can aid with wound healing.
Sunscreen will protect your tattoo against sun damage.
TOUCH-UPS: please don’t hesitate to contact me if you feel like your tattoo requires a touch-up. Touch-ups related to the technical application and healing of the tattoo are free within the first 6 months. Requests for touch-ups outside of the 6 month window will be charged fairly at a case-by-case rate. Your tattoo should be completely healed and settled by 3 months.
If you have any questions or concerns during the healing process, please get in touch!