After your tattoo, your new piece will be covered with a clear, sticker-like bandage. Common names for this type of bandage are Saniderm or Tagaderm. This bandage is designed to stay on for three to four days. During that time, you can shower like normal and you won’t need to do anything at all for your tattoo – just keep the piece wrapped. During this time, as your tattoo heals, it may appear blurry or dirty under the wrap. This is normal and is nothing to worry about. When you remove the wrap and wash the tattoo it will look just as it did when you finished your piece.
A small percentage of people will have a mild reaction to the adhesive on the wrap, characterized by itching or redness underneath it. If this occurs, remove the wrap early and wash, then move on to the following step.
Sometimes it is easiest to remove the bandage in the shower. After the bandage is removed, gently wash the tattoo with soap and water. The type of soap must be unscented and hypoallergenic, but Dove bar soap is a very mild and popular option. Following the removal of the bandage, the goal is to keep the tattoo clean and moist.
Apply a thin layer of fragrance free lotion two to three times a day, like Aveeno or Lubriderm. Aquaphor or Vaseline and any other petroleum based moisturizers are not recommended as it is a petroleum based solution, and will not let your skin breath and heal properly. Do not swim, and do not submerge the tattoo in water for long periods of time (showers are fine, avoid baths). Follow these guidelines for two weeks following the removal of the bandage.
Overall, the aftercare is mostly designed to make the healing process comfortable for you. You don’t need to over think it, and many artists offer differing guidelines. The biggest thing you want to avoid is picking or scratching at your tattoo while it heals – there can be itchy phases, but resist the urge, as this is the number one thing that will affect the outcome of your tattoo. Working out is not recommend for minimum two week after tattoo appointment, after the two weeks just be mindful that gym equipment is clean and be sure to wash the tattoo directly after exercising.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to send an email.