AFTERCARE
(these are recommendations ONLY that should be followed as long as your body responds well to this protocol. this is based on generalized knowledge about wound cleaning/healing. there are several ways to approach this process.
tattoo aftercare is also a practice in understanding your body’s way of dealing with injury - if one soap, lotion, or frequency of cleaning/moisturizing doesn’t agree with you, then try something different until it does! :)
please, if you notice excessive swelling, redness, pain, or pussing these may be signs of infection or allergic reaction. take pics, let me know, and see a doctor as soon as you can!)
DO’s
1) DERM SHIELD/SECOND SKIN, etc. AFTERCARE
︎ yes, you can shower with second skin/tegaderm/recovery derm still on!
︎ leave on for 3 days max
︎ remove gently in the shower with clean hands, pulling parallel (not away/perpendicular!) to your skin. anchor skin that’s being pulled to reduce discomfort
︎ clean with UNSCENTED soap
︎ pat dry with a clean paper towel or let air dry
THE INK SACK 🕳️
ink, blood, and plasma will collect inside the bandage. this is normal and is a sign your body is healing itself. if the liquid inside the bandage leaks out of the bandage, immediately take the bandage off then continue with post-bandage care.
1a) STANDARD BANDAGE AFTERCARE
︎ leave on for 3-5 hours, or overnight if tattoo was done in the evening
︎ remove it with clean hands, wash the tattoo with warm water and UNSCENTED soap (liquid preferably)
︎ wear CLEAN longsleeves and/or pants to bed in order to minimize contact with the bacteria on your bed for the first two days
2) POST-BANDAGE CARE
︎ wash tattoo with UNSCENTED soap daily for 5-7 days
︎ pat dry with a clean paper towel or let air dry
︎ moisturize lightly with UNSCENTED moisturizer
︎ DO NOT scratch or pick - SMACK, MOISTURIZE + APPLY ICE to alleviate itchiness/soreness
︎ leave it alone - let it breathe, scab, and heal
[vegan & cruelty free soaps]
︎ Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Liquid Soap
︎ Desert Essence Tea Tree Soap
︎ Jacq’s Yucca & Lavender Bath Bar (Black-owned)
[other examples]
︎ Dial Unscented
︎ Neutrogena Unscented
[vegan moisturizers]
︎ coconut oil
︎ jojoba oil
︎ shea butter
[other examples]
︎ CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
︎ Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
︎ Lubriderm Daily Moisture
DONT’s
︎ heavy workouts/persperation (for at least 2 days)
︎ sun/UV light
︎ submersion in bodies of water (swimming/saunas/baths)
︎ tight fitting clothing/jewlery/bandages
these things will irritate your open wound and either introduce bacteria that will lead to an infection, or simply make it harder for your new layer of skin to develop. i know this sucks for highly active people or people that spend a lot of time outdoors, but this temporary compromise is one worth taking in order to make sure your tattoo heals well.
if you must swim or be in the sun, at least clean your tattoo thoroughly before and after activity, and wear clean clothes that protect your tattoo from the sun. **I don’t recommend putting SPF on tattoos that are under a week old as it’s still an open wound and you’d probably be better off wearing long sleeves than exposing it to the sun.
happy healing! ︎