What to Expect and Do Right After Getting a Tattoo

You were tattooed in a modern studio with sterilized instruments and pigments. Please follow these aftercare instructions closely as this will extend the life of your tattoo. How you pay attention to the initial critical care of your tattoo will determine the rest of it’s life on your skin.

Do’s & Don'ts:

Do not apply Vaseline, lanolin, or petroleum-based products (Do Not Use Polysporin). Avoid the ingredient ‘Petrolatum’ in your lotion.

Make sure you have approved lotion ready for your aftercare and test it on your skin prior to getting your tattoo. If it is something you already have, be sure to check for an expiry date.

Do Not apply alcohol to your new tattoo.

Do Not rub, scratch, or pick at your healing tattoo.

Do Not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight, go swimming, go in a hot tub, bathtub or sauna/steam room for at least 4 weeks. Avoid the gym or any exercise that might stretch or crack the healing scabs.

Any clothing touching your tattoo should be clean and soft.

Do Not let your pets touch, lick, sniff or scratch your tattoo - this is another common source of infection.

Saran Wrap Barrier:

You should wait until at least one hour after leaving the studio to remove the bandage.

Let air get to your tattoo for 24 hrs. Keep it clean and dry and then you can start your lotion. Generally, you should apply your lotion twice a day, however during different times of year, you may be exposed to different types of air (ie. heaters or air conditioning can dry out the skin) and you may want to apply more lotion. I always advise it’s best to listen to your skin and if it’s feeling dry and tight, you may want to apply your lotion more frequently. Just remember it needs to breathe, so don’t put it on too thick.

Tegaderm/Saniderm Bandage (Second Skin):

Try to leave the first bandage on for 24hrs if possible.

To remove the bandage, gently peel off over the sink or tub incase any plasma or liquid should drip. Clean the tattoo with gentle (unscented) soap and room temperature water. Pat to Dry. Let air dry for 10-15 minutes before applying the 2nd bandage.

The 2nd bandage can stay on for maximum 3 days. After the bandage is off, wait 24 hrs and then begin with the lotion (see above).

Please note: With regards to the 2nd skin - it is not for everyone. And it has been my experience, that 1 out of 7 people will have an allergic reaction to the bandage. I use a non-latex, FDA approved bandage, however some individuals may find that their skin doesn’t like having tape or adhesive stuck to it and the skin can become irritated. Please DO NOT try to keep the bandage on. If you find your are having a reaction, just take the bandage off, clean the area and let your skin breathe. Do not apply the lotion until the redness settles down. As per all instructions, if the reaction persists or gets worse, consult your physician.

The Next Phase of the Healing Process

After 5-14 days, your tattoo may start to peel and scab. This is normal :) It is very similar to how your body would react to a sunburn. Do Not pick or peel the skin away - as tempting as this might be, you need to let it fall of naturally or you could distort your lines. Fresh skin will soon replace the dead skin. Colours and shades may fade during the process, but will settle when healing is complete. Being consistent with the lotion will keep your skin soft while it goes through the healing.

After a few weeks, all scabbing should be gone, but please remember that your tattoo is still healing underneath. Please remain cautious and continue with the lotion.

Exposure to the sun is the #1 cuase of tattoo fading and discolouration. Always use sunblock (at least SPF-30) that provides UVA and UVB protection.

A Final Note:

You should always review all tattoo aftercare ingredients for potential personal allergens before use. The ingredients should be listed on the back of the container. You want to avoid the ingredient ‘Petrolatum’ which is what is found in Vaseline and Polysporin. I recommend Lubiderm (unscented), CeraVe or Uremol.

If at any point during the healing process, you experience a reaction to the aftercare product, please discontinue use, wash with gentle soap and water and let the air get to it. Always consult your physician if irritation persists.