top of page
Anchor 1

PRIOR TO YOUR PROCEDURE 

  1. Sleep well

  2. No alcohol/drugs 24hrs before or during the session. 

  3. Eat well

  4. Bring food if it’s going to be a long session.  

  5. Stay hydrated

​

​

POST PROCEDURE

DAY 1

  • If using cling film: 3-4 hours after leaving the tattoo shop, gently remove the bandage your tattoo artist put on. Your new tattoo needs to breathe.  

  • Keep Sani-Derm Wrap on for UP TO  6 DAYS, unless skin is irritated remove and continue with cleaning and moisturizing routine.

 

Remember to make sure the wrap is well placed, to avoid it being exposed when sleeping. 

When changing bandages, wash gently only with water or Dial Gold Soap.
 

TIP 1: Use clean sheets & towels when sleeping, if tattoo is exposed. Use clean old sheets you don’t care about in case you move in your sleep to avoid staining them.

 

TIP 2: Don't dry your tattoo with a towel. Pat your tattoo dry with kitchen paper. 

The first 2-3 days the tattooed area should be treated like an open wound, so you have to be extra careful to avoid infection.

 

DAY 2

  • If using a plastic bandage, remove it and don't use it anymore. At this point, you can start with the washing and moisturizing routine.

  • If using protective tattoo film: remove the bandage (can leave on up to 6 days), clean the area, apply a thin layer of moisturizer.

 

WASHING & MOISTURIZING ROUTINE: wash 2-3 times a day, and apply moisturizer on the tattooed area when it's completely dry.

TIP: When washing the tattoo, do it with your hands. Gently, but firmly.

 

DAY 3

  • Wash the tattoo with water and cleanser or soap 2-3 times a day - depending on your skin. 

  • After your tattoo is clean and dry, moisturize it with regenerative balm. Some people heal faster, and their skin dries rapidly; in that case, you can apply the balm more often. 

TIP: When applying ointment, don’t use excessive amounts. A thin, consistent layer should be enough. Rub it in so that it isn’t clumped on; you should have a very thin, even layer on your tattoo.​

 

DAYS 4 - 15

  • Repeat the same washing routine as the days before. 

  • Keep applying balm after washing the tattooed area. 

NOTE: Bigger tattoos might require longer to heal, therefore increasing the washing routine one week more is recommended. 

 

REMEMBER:   

  • Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo. You should treat it like an It’s an open wound for the first two days, susceptible to all sorts of germs and bacteria, so you should always practice good hygiene.  

  • Use cold to lukewarm water when washing your tattoo. Hot water could potentially harm the tattooed area.   

  • Use only your hands to wash your tattoo. Towels, washcloths, or loofahs are too harsh and will exfoliate your raw skin. Do not scrub.  

  • If you are going to dry your tattoo, make sure you use kitchen/towel paper.   

  • Use one balm for one tattoo, so there won't be crossed infection between different tattoos.

​

IMPORTANT: Your tattoo is not safe from germs or bacteria until after it’s scabbed and peeled, and even then, it is still important that you keep up with aftercare. 

 

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TATTOO AFTERCARE

YOUR TATTOO MIGHT BE SWOLLEN

When you first remove the bandage your tattoo artist put on, you should expect your new tattoo to look swollen, red, bloody, and sometimes bruised.

These are normal, temporary, bodily reactions to trauma, so don’t worry!

Tattoo machines pierce the skin up to 3,000 times per minute, so yes, a little bit of blood and swelling should be expected.

 

EXPECT THE AREA TO GET A BIT MESSY

Your new tattoo will ooze all sorts of fluids the first few days including blood, clear plasma, lymphatic fluid, and ink. These are signs your body recognizes the trauma, and is sending cells to repair it. 

 

EXPECT SCABBING AND ITCHING

Expect scabbing, itching, and flaking. Scabs are a protective layer that covers a wound on your skin, aka, the tattoo. It keeps out debris, bacteria, and germs.

If scabs are forming, that’s a sign that your tattoo is healing properly and your body is doing what it can to repair itself. The downside to this protective layer is that it may itch a bit, but this should only last a few days.

 

YOU MIGHT FEEL UNDER-THE-WEATHER

Your body may feel under-the-weather for a couple days, especially if you got a bigger tattoo. You might even feel like you’ve got a cold, which is surprisingly normal.

The stress that you’ve put your body through can affect your immune system, and increase your chances of getting sick, but in a few days you should be feeling good as new!

Keep in mind, the more often you get tattooed, the easier the process will be. 

 

STAGES OF TATTOO HEALING 

Everyone’s healing process looks a little different, depending on their age, hygiene, and tattoo placement. Some places like your ribcage, where there isn’t a lot of fat or muscle, might take longer to heal than say, a bicep. Either way, everyone goes through similar healing processes. 

 

HEALING PROCESS

  • Days 1-6: Your fresh tattoo will look red, swollen, and will still be oozing blood, plasma, lymphatic fluid, and ink. This is the messiest time during the healing process, but the oozing should subside after a few days. Scabs will begin to form over your tattoo.  

  • Days 7-14: The scabs might become itchy, and your skin will start to flake off. This is one of the most important parts of the healing process, because scabs and dead skin falling off will reveal new, healthier skin underneath. 

 Your tattoo will appear dry and dull during this time. Keep it moisturized.

  • Days 15-30: After the scabs and dead skin have flaked off, your tattoo is now fully healed. You shouldn’t experience any more swelling, bleeding, or ink leaching.

Don’t fret if your tattoo still doesn’t look very crisp and bright; the deeper layers of your skin still need to repair themselves, which is why aftercare is still important even after your tattoo is healed. 

​

HEALING TIPS 

Here are some tattoo tips you can follow to help your healing process along: 

  • Plasma that oozes from your new tattoo is what causes wounds to scab. Gently pat away wet plasma to keep it from forming big scabs that could dry out and crack

  • Use cold to lukewarm water to wash your tattoo. Water that is too hot can open up your pores and cause ink to leach out.   

  • If your skin is extra sensitive and hurts to pat dry after washing, you can use a hair dryer on a cool setting to dry your tattoo instead.  

  • Use old clean bed sheets that you don’t care about the first few nights after getting your tattoo. Your new tattoo will probably leak blood and ink, and stain your sheets.  

  • Make sure your tattoo is completely dry before you apply ointment. If not, it could trap moisture between your skin and the ointment, causing scabs to swell or become gooey.  

  • If your tattoo is really itchy, you can apply a cold compress. It’ll take away the itchiness immediately, without having to scratch. This should only be done after your skin’s top layer has completely healed.  

  • Drink LOTS of water. Your tattoo only looks as good as your skin. The more you hydrate, the better, and more vivid your tattoo will look.

​

​

WHAT NOT TO DO AFTER GETTING A TATTOO

There are many ways that tattoo healing can go wrong, and it could result in an infection or even a ruined tattoo.

You should avoid the following to maintain a healthy, fabulous-looking tattoo:   

Do NOT... 

  • Scratch, peel, pick, rub your tattoo 

  • Let your tattooed skin dry out 

  • Soak in a hot tub or go swimming 

  • Expose your tattoo to the sun for the first 2-3 weeks 

  • Wear tight clothing over your new tattoo, like bra straps or waistbands 

  • Exercise the first few days 

  • Shave on or near your new tattoo 

  • Wait to see a doctor. If your tattoo feels or looks infected, see a doctor ASAP 

 

SIGNS OF INFECTION 

Differentiating what is normal tattoo healing versus what you should seek medical attention for can be tricky.

 

Lucky for us, infections from tattoos are very rare these days, with only 0.5-6% of tattooed adults experiencing one. However, they are still a real possibility.

If you experience the following, seek medical attention and contact your tattoo artist. 

Here is a list of things that are NOT normal:  

  • Intense pain 

  • Worsening swelling 

  • Pus draining 

  • Firm bumps (granulomas) 

  • Excessive bleeding 

  • Photosensitivity (sunlight is painful) 

  • Fever, chills, sweats 

 

HOW TO AVOID INFECTION 

To avoid the risk of infection from bacteria or a virus, it starts with picking the right tattoo shop.

  • Only trust places that are fully licensed, hygienic, and experienced. Do-it-yourself kits, stick and poke tattoos, or improper aftercare products could all cause serious infections, especially if they’re not done in the safety of a hygienic facility.

  • Cheaper is not always better, and sometimes paying a few extra bucks can make a big difference.

  • If you have a preexisting condition like eczema, diabetes, HIV, Hepatitis, or Hemophilia, you should disclose this information to your tattoo artist. These conditions could increase your risk of complications or infection.

This isn’t to say the tattoo artist will turn you away, but they’ll need to take extra safety precautions when tattooing you. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to assessing the risks of getting a tattoo and avoiding infection. 

  • If you’re on medications like Accutane or blood thinners, consult with a doctor beforehand.

​

PRICING

SESSION: $300/hr, deposit is applied to session.

Deposit: $100 NON-REFUNDABLE

Touch-Up: (8-12 weeks later) FREE

healing tips
healing process
things you need to knowabout aftercare
wht not to do after getting a tatoo
post pro
sigs of infecton
pricing
bottom of page