Tattoo Aftercare Do’s and Don’ts Easy Tips

Tattoo aftercare is so important once you have a new tattoo!

I have some amazing tips below but before I get into that, I’d like to ask if you’ve had a chance to check out all the amazing tattoo resources.

Ok – what to do and what not to do once your new tattoo is complete…

Keeping your new ink bright and healthy should be one of your top priorities for the first 3-5 days after its completion.

I have listed a few aftercare suggestions below based on my experience with my many tattoos

What to Do After Getting A Tattoo: What to Do With Your New Tattoo:

Leave the tattoo bandaged for a minimum of 3 hours and no longer than 12 hours.
Remove the bandage under warm running water. If the bandage is stuck to the tattoo, gently remove it while under running water, therefore reducing the risk of damaging the tattoo.
Once the bandage is removed, using unscented soap, wash the tattoo off well with your hand and warm soapy water.
When done washing the tattoo off, gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean towel and allow the tattoo to air dry for about 5-10 minutes.
Apply Ultra healing/Fragrance-free dry skin lotion to the tattoo 4-6 times a day.
The hand lotion can be applied to the tattoo about 3-4 times daily for about 10-14 days or until the tattoo is completely done peeling.
Somewhere between 3 and 6 days, the tattoo will start to flake off like tissue paper. Do not pick at or scratch. Let the skin peel naturally. You will notice small pieces of dry skin containing colour coming off while using the lotion or washing the tattoo. This is normal- it is just a top layer of dead skin coming off. Your tattoo is not disappearing.

Once the bandage is completely removed DO NOT rebandage the tattoo.
NO direct sunlight on the tattoo for the first 2-3 weeks.
DO NOT pick or scratch the tattoo while it is peeling.
DO NOT soak the tattoo for 2 weeks. No swimming, baths, hot tubs or saunas for 2 weeks. When the tattoo has completely peeled, swimming or soaking is OK.
No shaving or waxing area until the tattoo is completely healed.
DO NOT apply alcohol, Vaseline petroleum jelly or sunblock to fresh tattoo.
DO NOT listen to friends or so-called tattoo experts. If you have questions, call or visit the artist that did your tattoo.

Once you leave the shop, proper care of your tattoo is your responsibility.
Small amounts of colour may appear on clothing or sheets for the first few days.
When the tattoo is peeling, the colour will appear in pieces of dry skin.
If the tattoo is in an area where it can be exposed to the air, allow it to breathe. Allowing the tattoo to breathe will help the healing. Your body and oxygen are going to heal the tattoo.
If possible, wear loose-fitting clothing over the tattoo and be careful not to suffocate the tattoo with socks or pantyhose.