Tattoo Aftercare
Recommended Aftercare Products
Numbing cream:
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SNTE Tattoo Numbing Cream (Personal Preference)
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Soap:
Ointments:
Moisturizer:
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Any lotion that is Fragrance-Free and Alcohol-Free
What to Expect
If Saniderm has been used
ink and blood will pool under the bandage and form an 'ink sac'. This should be removed after 24 hours, washed with clean hands, warm water and antibacterial soap, and re-bandaged if preferred.
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Keep this bandage on for 3-6 days.
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If 2nd bandage begins to peel, you have any kind of reaction to the adhesive, or if another ink sac forms, it is okay to remove the bandage. Do not apply a 3rd bandage.
If plastic wrap has been used
remove this the morning after your tattoo and wash with clean hands, warm water, and antibacterial soap.
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Keep doing this at LEAST twice a day, but 3 times a day is recommended. Pat skin dry after.
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After washing, apply a THIN layer of healing ointment or a fragrance free moisturizer.
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Do not cover the tattoo in plastic wrap again.
First couple of days
the tattoo may be swollen, red, tender, etc. for a couple of days. This is normal and should improve day by day. There may be blood and/or ink coming from the tattoo.
Week 1
Swelling and redness should improve day by day. Itching may start as the body begins to heal itself.
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There may be a little scabbing over the tattoo, DO NOT pick at/scratch these.
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Keep washing twice a day and keep your new tattoo moisturized.
Week 2
Lots of itching. The tattoo should be in its 'peeling' stage and appear similar to a sunburn peeling. Redness and swelling should be completely gone.
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Keep your tattoo moisturized!! The scabbing/ peeling will have begun to flake off by now.
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If the tattoo begins to itch, apply a fragrance-free lotion. if the urge to scratch is big, slap the Tattoo instead of scratching.
Week 3 - 1 month
The outer layers of the tattoo should be fully healed by now or very close, Everybody's skin is different. It can take up to 4 months for the lower layers of skin to heal.
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Most of the scabbing will be gone. Dead skin may still be present but with moisturizing, it should clear up.
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If your design requires multiple sessions, now it is okay to get more work done.
Short - Term Aftercare
DO NOT swim or submerge your new tattoo in water.
Keep tattoos out of sunlight.
DO NOT rub, scratch, or pick at your tattoo's scabbing. This will cause scarring and may even pull the ink out of your skin with the scab.
Avoid strenuous activities for the first couple days after your tattoo
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Avoid Alcohol for at least 48 hours after your tattoo. alcohol thins blood and lots of bleeding will push ink out of a new tattoo