Standard Aftercare

· Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo.

· Remove your bandage within the next 2 hours of your appointment. We do not recommend leaving your bandage on for more than 24 hours.

· Wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a non-scented antibacterial soap. Let the water run down the tattoo to rinse the area of soap, then pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Do this 2-3 times a day.

· Apply a thin layer of ointment such as Aquaphor or A&D after every wash. Do NOT use any antibiotic or petroleum ointments, this can cause the ink to be pulled out.

· You may start using a thin layer of non-scented lotions after the first week of healing is complete. Natural carrier oils can be used midway through the second week of healing.

· Do NOT submerge your tattoo in any water (bath, pool, hot tub, salt or fresh water). This can expose you to bacteria within the water. Soaking a fresh tattoo can also cause ink bleed out and blur in the skin.

· Avoid direct sunlight on your fresh tattoo. Sunscreen will keep the tattoo looking fresh through the years, but should NOT be applied within the first 2 weeks of healing.

· Scratching your tattoo will effect healing and cause potential scaring.

· Over application of ointment/cream can cause irritation bumps on and/or around the tattoo. It’s safer to apply less ointment more often than to suffocate the area.

· The first two weeks of the healing process will be on the surface. Once the flaking stage is completed, your skin will remain sensitive underneath the fresh layer of skin.

· Your tattoo will take up to 6 weeks to fully settle underneath the skin. Be sure to keep it moisturized and out of sun exposure until after this period of time.

Adhesive Bandages

· Saniderm and other adhesive bandages help protect the tattoo from bacteria and other elements for the safest possible healing.

· It is normal for plasma and ink to build up and pocket under the adhesive. If there is a large amount of build up, you may remove the bandage after 24 hours.

· You may keep the bandage on for 2-5 days. If an excessive amount of blood is visible, the bandage may be removed.

· Remove the bandage in a warm shower. Lift and pull a corner in an upward motion (the same as you would when removing a command strip).

· Once the adhesive bandage is removed, wash your tattoo and start a normal after care routine as if you would the first week of healing.

· Do NOT re-bandage the tattoo after the initial bandage is removed.

· It is not recommend to use Saniderm or any other products like these if you have had allergies to adhesive bandages in the past.