Aftercare
Wrapping things up
- For immediate aftercare, I can cover your tattoo either using Derm Shield (a waterproof second-skin adhesive bandage designed to protect your tattoo during the first 1-3 days of healing), or regular old plastic wrap. Derm Shield may irritate your skin if you are sensitive to adhesives, if it is applied onto a stretchy or sensitive placement, or if there’s soap residue trapped under the bandage (I will wipe you down with distilled water to prevent this!)
- The choice is up to you based on your comfort, and does not affect the result :)
If healing with Derm Shield: If the bandage peels up to expose your tattoo or you notice any irritation, take it off immediately; otherwise, leave it on for 1-3 days. It’s generally easiest to take the bandage off in the shower by pulling like a command strip.
If healing with plastic wrap: Leave it on for an hour or so.
After removing the bandage
- Keep it clean! Wash your tattoo with gentle, unscented soap in the shower. Avoid contact with pets, submerging yourself in bodies of water, touching public gym equipment, etc.
- Keep it moisturized! Use unscented lotion, Aquaphor, Vaseline, etc. to moisturize your tattoo if you notice itching, peeling, or flaking. Do not scratch or pick at your tattoo – this may compromise the healing and cause ink to fall out.
- Keep it covered! Avoid direct sun exposure and keep your tattoo covered to prevent exposure to dirt and bacteria.
After your tattoo is healed (~3-4 weeks), protect it with sunscreen to avoid fading!
Touch-ups
- Always free, no statute of limitations! I tattoo with a light hand, so ink may fall out during the healing process and need to be touched up. Reach out after your tattoo is fully healed (include a picture, please!) and we’ll set something up.