Aftercare
Care Routine
Before caring for your tattoo, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands
After getting tattooed, keep the wound wrapped for 2-3 hours or until you’re in a clean environment and are not planning on going out again that day.
Once in a clean environment, remove plastic wrap and clean your tattoo with a gentle anti-bacterial soap
Pat dry with disposable paper towel (cloth towel can host bacteria both from your tattoo or from previous uses)
After cleaning and drying, cover the tattoo with a thin layer of moisturizer. This will depend on what moisturizer you know works with your skin type and comfort and can be either the moisturizer I provide at your appointment, your own gentle moisturizer, Aquaphor, coconut oil, shea butter, bees wax blend, or unscented lotion (be mindful to use in moderation, especially in the first 48 hours).
Repeat above processes 2-3 times a day (in the morning and at night, then as needed throughout the day) until peeling has stopped. Then continue to moisturize as needed when dry.
Tips
Sleep in loose fitting clothing that covers the tattoo - the first two days and nights it may leak ink, blood, and plasma which can stain sheets and clothing.
If you sleep with pets, wash your sheets the day before your tattoo. Whatever the tattoo touches can enter your body while it is an open wound, and this includes all the fun bacterias on their feet and bums 😬
Avoid submerging your tattoo in any water (bathtub, pool, and natural water sources all included) for the first two weeks of healing
Showering with your tattoo is safe
Keep pets away from wound
Allow flaking to happen naturally, do not pick or peel at anything
Itchiness is completely normal! Avoid itching and scratching your tattoo, moisturizing will help soothe the skin if it becomes a nuisance
Avoid contact sports, contact with gym equipment, or contact with any dirty surface that may cause risk of infection.
Also be mindful of what your tattoo touches and clean your environment accordingly.
The top layer of skin will take 1-2 weeks to heal, in which you will have to actively care for it.
Healing time is dependent on your currently immune health, the degree of skin trauma caused by the tattoo, and the placement.
Generally the closer to your heart the tattoo is, the faster it will heal. The right side of your body heals faster than the left because of the direction our blood circulates.
The deeper layer below the skin you see and touch will take 2-3 months to heal, in which you will not have to routinely care for it but can aid its healing process by caring for your immune system and body.
It is completely normal for tattooed skin to appear shiny and different after the peeling process - that is the brand new layer of skin similar to a bright and shinny new leaf on a plant!
Tattoos also appear darker during this time as they haven’t “settled” yet.
Generally after 2-3 months the skin begins to settle back into the texture you’re used to seeing and your new tattoo will start to match the tone of your older tattoos.
Touch-Ups
Occasionally touch-ups can be necessary in the first year of your tattoo. The gray wash may have lightened more than expected, something could have fallen out during healing, or you may have noticed something you want adjusted. Please reach out! I want you to live with the best healed version of my art possible. Much of the time these touch-ups are quick and free. We can even tack them on to your next appointment if you’re coming in again.
While I design and tattoo for longevity, touch-ups past the first year can be necessary as the body processes your tattoo ink more over time. I cannot offer these as free sessions as they usually involve more time commitment. Please send a photo of your tattoo and we can discuss what it needs!
I do not touch-up tattoos I did not do
Please do not hesitate to share any questions or concerns throughout your healing process, I am here to help make sure you live with the best healed version of my art possible.