Aftercare Instructions

Tattoo Aftercare varies from artist to artist so please consult your own artist for their recommendation on how to heal your new tattoo. If you were tattooed by me, please follow the method which I recommended and contact me if you have any questions or if you run into any issues.

Traditional Aftercare

After receiving your tattoo, the tattoo will be wrapped up and covered with an absorbent pad and medical wrap. Leave this wrap on for at most 1-3 hours.
(Repeat steps 2-7 two times a day for the first 3 days)
Wash hands with an unscented anti-bacterial soap for at least 30 seconds making to thoroughly clean in-between your fingers and nails. Dry your hands with a clean towel.
Take off the wrap.
Gently lather some of the same soap in your hands and use lukewarm water to gently wash off your tattoo. Clean off any blood or plasma until the tattoo looks fresh and free of debris. Make sure your tattoo is soap free before continuing.
Using a fresh clean towel or paper towel to dab your tattoo dry. Do not rub or scrub dry.
Wait 15 min to completely dry out before applying ointment.
Gently apply Aquaphor to hydrate your tattoo making sure not to apply any more than to make it shiny. Do not apply too much. Do remove any access by dabbing with a paper towel.
After the first three days skip these steps and use unscented lotion if the tattoo becomes dry or itchy.

It is normal for your tattoo to begin to flake and/or to have some scabbing. Do not pick, itch, or scratch your healing tattoo.

Avoid submerging your tattoo in any kind of body of water.

Avoid direct sun light while healing your tattoo and always protect your tattoo from the sun with a high SPF sunscreen after completely healed. If you have to be in the sun with a fresh tattoo cover with some type of clothing or stay out of the sun directly as much a possible.

Seek medical care and contact me if your tattoo becomes more swollen than normal, is leaking puss, or if you have a fever in conjunction with these other symptoms. These symptoms are signs your tattoo is infected and can be dangerous.

Contact me directly if you have any questions about aftercare.

Derm Shield Aftercare

Leave Derm Shield on for 3-5 days.
Between 3-5 days, in the shower, wash your hands with an unscented anti-bacterial soap.
Remove the Derm Shield under lukewarm water.
Gently lather the same unscented anti-bacterial soap in your hands and gently wash off your tattoo clearing away any blood and plasma until your tattoo looks fresh and free of debris. Make sure your tattoo is soap free before continuing.
When you get out of the shower, make sure your towel is new and clean and gently pat your tattoo dry.
If you would like to apply a second piece of Derm Shield for another 3-5 days this is where you would do that…Otherwise
Wait 15 min before applying a small amount of unscented lotion (or second piece of Derm Shield).
No need to continue to wash your tattoo, but periodically apply unscented lotion to ensure the tattoo is well hydrated during the rest of the healing time.
Use lotion if your tattoo becomes too dry or itchy.

Derm Shield is not water proof but it is water resistant. Do not submerge new tattoo with Derm Shield.

If your Derm Shield leaks fluid (plasma) within the first 2 days remove Derm Shield and follow the traditional healing instructions for the next 2-3 days.