Aftercare
Aftercare is one of the most important parts of getting a tattoo if not the most important because no matter how well a tattoo is applied; if the aftercare isn't done properly, the tattoo will heal badly. So please take care of your tattoo during the healing process!
Taking off the wrap:
If you had heavy blackwork or color: remove the wrap after 24 hours (remove under lukewarm water and peel it back like a command strip), wash it, dry it, and reapply the saniderm/dermshield.
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Otherwise keep the saniderm/dermshield on for 3-5 days--no longer than 5 days.
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When removing the wrap run the tattoo under lukewarm water. With clean hands pull up a corner of the wrap and peel with the tattoo, not against the grain. (think like peeling a command strip off a wall to avoid damaging the paint). Use your fingers and some water to gently massage between your skin and the wrap to separate the adhesive from your tattoo. You can also do these steps in the shower.
Do's and Don'ts of healing your tattoo with a tattoo wrap:
Second Skin/Derm Shield/Saniderm
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- You can shower but do not submerge your tattoo for long periods of time. aka no baths and if you swim make sure your wrap is not coming up before, during, and after swimming. No hot tubs.
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- When showering: keep the temperature lower than your normal to avoid melting the adhesive in your tattoo wrap--resulting in a very sticky arm and/or the wrap coming off with the adhesive still on your tattoo.
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- Avoid sweating to much: no working out or vigorous exercising while the wrap is on. Trapped sweat under the wrap can cause irritation and inflammation and impede on the healing of your tattoo.
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- Avoid direct sunlight. This applied to when the wrap is on and when it comes off as well. Sun exposure is one of the main contributing factors in the fading of your tattoo over time.
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- If part of the tattoo becomes exposed-- take the whole wrap off. You don't want to risk trapping anything underneath the wrap or germs invading the tattoo from an exposed portion of the tattoo.
After care Step by Step
Clean
After your tattoo wrap comes off or if you didn't get a tattoo wrap: clean your tattoo twice daily. With clean hands- and fragrance-free soap gently wash your tattoo in small circles. Make sure any residual ink or plasma is removed without disturbing any scabs. Rince under lukewarm water.
Dry
After washing the tattoo: pat it dry with a clean, disposable paper towel. Let it air dry for 5-10 minutes after you are done and be careful not to touch the tattoo.
Apply
After the drying period: with clean hands apply your skin protectant/moisturizer in thin layers. Make sure it has fully soaked into the skin before applying more. Be careful not to over moisturize. Only use recommended ointment during the first 7 days, after then you can use lotion.
Product Recommendations:
Soaps/Body wash:
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TOP PICK: Dial Liquid Hand Soap, Antibacterial & Sensitive, Fragrance Free (contains aloe)
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Dial Gold Anti-bacterial Soap (NOT FOR SENSITIVE SKIN)
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Dr Bronner Liquid Baby Soap Uncented
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Basis Sensitive Skin Bar Soap
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Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap (for normal to oily skin and people who work dirty jobs, good for the first wash after getting the tattoo as well)​​​​​​​
Ointments:
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TOP PICK: A&D Ointment (no zinc)​
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Aquaphor
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Once Healed:
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​Lotion at least once a day with one of the above lotions or use a tattoo balm
- Tattoo Goo Tattoo Balm is good to use on your tattoo once its healed.
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Any product claiming to "enhance faded tattoos" are a scam: a moisturized tattoo will look more vibrant than a non-moisturized tattoo no matter the product.​​​​​​
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Use sunscreen daily to protect your tattoo from fading especially for the first 6 months.
What is Over Moisturizing?
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Over moisturizing is when excess moisture gets trapped in the tattooed skin and causes increased irritation and inflammation.
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Often this happens when people "overly take care of their tattoo" aka, they just applied lotion over lotion that wasn't completely soaking in or layering multiple products on fresh tattoos. When your tattoo gets irritated and itchy, your instinct may be to apply more lotion, but over moisturizing will just delay healing and make you more susceptible to infection and post-tattoo blowouts.
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Do not moisturize more than 3 times daily for the first 2-3 weeks. Once your tattoo starts flaking and showing "silver skin" aka when the top layer of your skin is healed--you can increase lotioning with approval of your tattoo artist.
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Signs of over moisturizing:
- a day after the wrap comes off you experience more irritation and redness around the entire tattoo.
- the tattoo itself looks puffed up and "blurry"
- Increased itchiness even though the tattoo isn't dry
- Increased breakouts around or on the tattoo but not radiating redness or spreading of the breakouts
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Lotions:
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TOP PICK: Lubriderm Daily Moisture Body Lotion for Sensitive, Dry Skin Fragrance Free​
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CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Cream
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CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Lotion
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Aveeno Fragrance free lotion
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Still have questions?
What NOT to put on your tattoo while its healing:
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Fragrances
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Oils
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Food-based products
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SPF
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Zinc
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What to avoid:
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SCRATCHING/PICKING: Don't do it! lightly slap if the itching is unbearable or apply lotion if dry
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Over Moisturizing
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Direct sunlight
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Excessive heat (air or liquids)
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Shaving (don't shave the area during the first 3 weeks)
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Super-hot showers
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Excessive sweating (exercise, lifting, strenuous activities) during the first two weeks
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Submerging in water
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Exposing to Unsafe water (swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers)
How to treat an over-moisterized tattoo:
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Wash it gently: use luke-warm water and soap and make sure all the lotion/ointments you have applied are gone.
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Dry your tattoo: pat dry with paper towel and let air dry. Keep it uncovered, clean, and dry for 12 hours.
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Apply ointment conservatively: After the tattoo has dried out and aired out without any ointments/lotions--As long as the swelling and redness has subsided--apply ointment or lotion depending on how long it has been since you got the tattoo.
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If the tattoo during the 12 hours of drying has continued to weep for the 12 hours this could be a sign of infection-- please call a nurse line and/or go to the doctor.​
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If the tattoo redness and swelling has not changed but has dried out: apply a topical and take an oral antihistamine.
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If you reapplied your lotion and it gets swollen and painful again with terrible itching, you are allergic to an ingredient in the lotion: wash it off and dry it again and apply a topical antihistamine before finding an alternative lotion.
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If your symptoms have not improved or gotten worse after doing all of the above-- please seek medical attention. Disclosure: I am a tattoo artist not a medical professional.