Aftercare
Everyone has their own preferences for healing and what works for them—these are mine! You can use a tattoo wrap or heal it the old-fashioned way with ointment and lotion. No matter what, just be sure to keep your new tattoo clean and dry and avoid exposure to the sun!
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Tattoo Wraps
If you choose to use a waterproof bandage-style tattoo wrap for healing, leave it on for 3-6 days, but no more than that. Within the first 1-3 days, you may change the wrap if you would like, although it is not necessary. Just make sure the area is very clean and dry before applying the new bandage if you do this. You may shower with the wrap as normal, but still avoid swimming or submerging the tattoo in water. Try to keep the area dry and avoid getting too sweaty in the first 3 days, whether you use a wrap or not. Once you are ready to take the bandage off, use warm water (removing it while in shower is easiest) to soften the adhesive and make it easier to remove. Gently peel the bandage off slowly starting from one corner with water running over it until it is off. Wash the area with a gentle antibacterial liquid soap, pat dry with a clean towel, let dry for about 15-20 minutes (until the skin feels “tight”), and finally, put a very thin layer of water-based, fragrance-free lotion over the tattoo—don’t overdo it!
Wash and lotion your tattoo 2 or 3 times a day from this point until it is peeled. Continue using lotion for the next few weeks to aid in healing. Always wash your tattoo before applying new lotion. Never apply new lotion on top of the previous layer of lotion.
Healing Process with Lotion
If you choose not to use a tattoo wrap, you can keep the new tattoo clean by washing with a gentle antibacterial liquid soap, and help it to heal and protect it with ointment and lotion. Take special care to keep the area clean and avoid exposure to excessive water, sweat, and moisture—particularly on days 1-3. Quick showers are good (keep it clean), but no submerging in water or swimming in any bodies of water or pools!
Wash your tattoo 2-3 times a day with a gentle antibacterial liquid soap, pat dry with a clean towel, and let dry for about 15-20 minutes (until the skin feels “tight”). For the first 1-2 days, use an ointment such as Aquaphor or your favorite tattoo healing ointment, and apply a very thin layer with clean, dry hands—don’t overdo it! You only need enough to cover the tattoo. It shouldn’t be shiny and thick and suffocated—let your skin “breathe”!
After 1-2 days, continue to wash with a gentle cleanser 2-3 times a day, but switch from applying ointment to using a water-based, fragrance-free lotion—still don’t overdo it! Just a thin layer is all that is needed. Ointments are not helpful or recommended at this stage. You will notice that your tattoo will start to peel and flake around day 3, a bit like a sunburn.
Continue to wash and lotion your tattoo 2-3 times a day from this point until it is fully peeled, which should be in about 7-14 days. Avoid swimming and sun exposure until it is peeled. Continue using lotion for the next few weeks to aid in healing. Always wash your tattoo before applying new lotion! Never put new lotion on top of old lotion (trust me).
Special Attention
In addition to avoiding swimming, you will also want to remember to avoid exposing your healing tattoo to the sun. Sun on a healing tattoo can cause burns and infections. Just don’t do it. In fact, always protect your tattoo from the sun, even once it is healed, as the sun will cause your tattoos to fade quicker, so use sunscreen or clothing for protection. (Takeaway: The sun is basically the enemy of tattoos, and both the sun and water are the enemies of a fresh, healing tattoo.)
Tattoos really take about three months to completely heal. You may notice a shiny “silver skin” effect in the first couple of weeks. This is normal. Your tattoo may be itchy while it heals. This is also normal. If you use a tattoo wrap for healing, pooling of plasma and ink under the wrap are normal and will not hurt the tattoo.
For tattoo wraps, watch out for excessive redness or itchiness around the bandage that isn’t just the normal redness and itchiness of a new tattoo. Allergic reactions to the adhesive are uncommon (and can be more likely when you change the bandage), but it can happen. Also watch out for plasma leakage and that the tattoo remains completely covered by the bandage. If the wrap peels up and exposes the tattoo or leaks, remove it and either apply a new wrap, or you can follow the instructions for healing with lotion. Remember, it is basically an open wound.
It is very important to keep the tattoo clean and dry for optimal healing and to avoid infection. Although it is normal for tattoos to be somewhat red, swollen, and tender for the first couple of days when they are fresh, excessive redness, pain, and “bubbling” in the skin are not normal. Allergic reactions to bandages, inks, or ointments/glides are possible. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you are unsure about something!
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