Aftercare
Please read thoroughly and let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you so much for getting a tattoo from me! I appreciate your support and trust. Please read the after-care instructions below if you need any reminders, and fill out my feedback survey if you have a few minutes.
Please leave the saniderm/second skin on for 3-5 days. Take it off early if it is especially juicy (this is a combo of ink and blood plasma and is a normal sign of healing), sweat is beading under it, or if the seal has broken (allowing bacteria to get to your tattoo).
It will take about 2 weeks for your tattoo to heal (bodies are cool and unique and some take more or less time). During this time the top layer of skin over your tattoo will peel and flake off. Remember that your healing tattoo is an open wound and treat it accordingly. And once it looks and feels like your normal skin again it is healed!
Take 48 hours off from working out and avoid swimming/taking baths for about 2 weeks while your tattoo is healing. These activities saturate your tattoo with moisture and increase your risk of infection–we want to avoid both.
Once your saniderm/second skin is off, carefully wash your tattoo with a mild soap twice per day (plus if it gets dirty) and allow it to air dry. Fragrance and dye free liquid soap is ideal. And keep showers brief, because you can easy slough off peeling skin if it is saturated with water, which could result in lost pigment.
After washing, apply just enough gentle lotion to keep your tattoo from drying out or cracking. Fragrance and dye free lotion is ideal. If you use a product that comes in a jar/tub, be careful to only ever put clean fingers into the jar or you could create a little pot of germs. Don’t use Vaseline, Aquafor, A&D, or other petroleum-based products, as they create a moisture barrier and your tattoo needs airflow to heal.
Keep your tattoo out of the sun, and avoid touching, rubbing, or itching it. Wear loose clothes over it if you’re going somewhere it could contact germs.
Seriously, I know it itches but don’t scratch it. If it’s especially itchy you can apply a little bit more lotion or use an ice pack (for only a few minutes at a time)
Once your tattoo is fully healed the best way to keep it looking good is to always always put sunscreen on it. Even if it isn’t hot out, if your tattoo will be in the sun be sure to wear at least SPF 50. Tattoos with prolonged UV exposure will become faded and muddled over time, and color tattoos are especially prone. And keep your tattoo moisturized to keep it looking vibrant.
Reach out if you have any questions, and be sure to send a pic of your healed tattoo (ideally in natural light)!
Feedback Form:
Your feedback is so appreciated, and you can submit anonymously if you’d like. You can access the form here: https://form.jotform.com/theybycakes/post-tattoo-feedback