After getting your tattoo, it's crucial to follow the aftercare instructions from your artist.

Following tattoo aftercare instructions is critical for several key reasons:

Preventing Infection: The tattooing process involves needles that penetrate the skin, creating a wound. Proper aftercare keeps this wound clean, preventing bacteria from causing infections that could lead to health issues and negatively affect the appearance of the tattoo.

Signs of infection include: redness, swelling, tenderness at the site, red streaks leading from the tattoo, elevated body temperature, or pus. If you notice any of these symptoms, promptly contact your tattoo artist and consult a physician for appropriate care.
Ensuring Proper Healing: Proper aftercare promotes the right environment for healing. Keeping the tattoo clean, moisturized, and protected helps it heal efficiently and reduces the risk of complications such as excessive scabbing or scarring.
Preserving Tattoo Quality: Good aftercare practices help maintain the vibrancy and clarity of the tattoo ink. Failing to follow aftercare instructions can lead to fading, blotchiness, or uneven healing, which can distort the intended design.

Tattoo Aftercare:

The most important step for your new artwork

Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Traditional Aftercare

After we finish your tattoo your artist will apply a bandage or wrap that you will keep on for at least 2 hours to protect your new tattoo. Please remember that your fresh tattoo is an open wound and neglecting your aftercare can lead to risk of infection or a poorly healed tattoo.

After at least two hours, remove the bandage with clean hands in a clean environment. If you need a friend to help, make sure their hands are also clean.
Wash your new tattoo with an unscented antibacterial liquid soap. do no use bar soap, it can harbor bacteria. Gently pat dry your tattoo with a paper towel or air dry.
After your tattoo is COMPLETELY dry you can apply a very thin layer of fragrance free moisturizer to your tattoo such as Aquaphor or Hustle Butter. When applying moisturizer, a ChapStick thin layer is a good rule of thumb.
Repeat the last two steps 2-3 times a day for the first 2-3 days
After the first couple of days, keep your washing to 1-2 times a day and switch to an unscented lotion such as Lubriderm/Eucerin for the remainder of your 2 week healing time. Discontinue using Aquaphor at this time, as it is too heavy and can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
After 2 weeks of healing, you may stop washing with the antibacterial soap but keep using fragrance free moisturizer or lotion until your skin returns to normal aka: no peeling, dryness, flakiness or itch.

No pools, hot tubs, baths or sun exposure for 2 weeks. Showers are fine, but limit your water exposure to the tattoo. You want to clean your tattoo but not soak it. We suggest waiting at least a week to the full two weeks for strenuous exercise. If small red bumps appear, you may be over caring for your tattoo and over using lotion/product. Remember that your body will do most of the healing, do not overuse lotions on your tattoo. After your tattoo is completely healed you may use sunscreen daily to protect your art work.

Dermshield (Saniderm) Aftercare

Leave the dermshield bandage on for 24 hours.
After 24 hours, remove Dermshield in the shower, at the end of your shower. The steam from your shower and the warm water will aid in removing your bandage, other wise it can be uncomfortable to remove while dry. Start by finding an edge and peeling upwards to remove.
Wash your new tattoo with an unscented antibacterial liquid soap. do no use bar soap, it can harbor bacteria. Gently pat dry your tattoo with a paper towel or air dry.
After your tattoo is COMPLETELY dry you can apply a very thin layer of fragrance free moisturizer to your tattoo such as Aquaphor or Hustle Butter. When applying moisturizer, a chapstick thin layer is a good rule of thumb.
Repeat the last two steps 2-3 times a day for the first 2-3 days
After the first couple of days, keep your washing to 1-2 times a day and switch to an unscented lotion such as Lubriderm/Eucerin for the remainder of your 2 week healing time. Discontinue using Aquaphor at this time, as it is too heavy and can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
After 2 weeks of healing, you may stop washing with the antibacterial soap but keep using fragrance free moisturizer or lotion until your skin returns to normal aka: no peeling,dryness, flakiness or itch.

If you develop a rash, burning, itchiness or excessive leaking fluid from bandage remove Dermshield immediately. This is an allergic reaction from the adhesive of the Dermsheild. After removing wash with antibacterial soap to remove any leftover adhesive and continue traditional aftercare.