TRADITIONAL HEALING INSTRUCTIONS
Twice a day for the first 3-5 days: Remove your bandage when you get home, or within a few hours. Wash your hands, then wash your tattoo with a mild liquid soap. Rinse thoroughly. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Allow your tattoo to air dry until it is completely dry (about 10-20 minutes). When dry, apply a very small amount of healing ointment designed for tattoos such as Redemption, Hustle Butter or Bacitracin. Rub in completely. Dab off any excess moisture/seepage with a paper towel.
Days 5-14 or once you start to peel: Wash your tattoo once a day with clean hands. If you are using Bacitracin, switch to a small amount of fragrance/dye free lotion, such as Lubriderm, to moisturize your tattoo several times a day. If you are using a tattoo care product like Redemption or Hustle Butter, continue to use them to moisturize as needed. Keep the tattoo as close to regular skin consistency as possible. Always wash your hands before applying ointment or lotion!
DO NOT pick, scratch, or peel any skin or scabs! You will compromise your ink by doing so. They will come off when ready, often while washing/moisturizing.
DO NOT soak your tattoo. That includes pools, ocean, baths, hot tub, saunas etc. Regular showers are okay, but keep them short until your tattoo is healed.
BE AWARE! During healing you have an open abrasion on your skin. Contact with any surface, hands or animals may introduce potentially infectious bacteria to the area.
NO direct sunlight until completely healed. Once healed apply sun block daily, especially during times of direct sun exposure.
NOTE that during the first few days of healing the tattoo may seep ink, blood or lymph which may stain clothing, sheets or other fabrics.
REMEMBER there are no dumb questions! Contact us with anything.
"SECOND SKIN"/SANIDERM
HEALING INSTRUCTIONS
Leave the Saniderm/Second Skin on for 1- 3 days. It’s water resistant, but breathable to promote healing.
You will see blood/plasma gathering underneath the surface the first day or so. That is normal and will not affect your tattoo.
DO NOT submerge your tattoo underwater. It is NOT waterproof. The Saniderm will typically hold up in a shower, but should NOT be submerged or soaked for at least 2 weeks. If the Saniderm starts leaking, or peeling off, or is compromised in any way, remove it and either begin traditional aftercare, or replace with a new Saniderm. This second Saniderm can be left on up to an additional 3-7 days.
To remove your Saniderm gently peel by pulling slowly outward from the edge, or by rolling the edge under your fingers with soapy water. DO NOT tear the bandage off quickly.
You should wash the tattoo with liquid soap once a day for the duration of healing and apply a mild, fragrance-free lotion as needed. Always keep the tattoo clean and dry to the touch.