★ Aftercare ★
Leave adhesive bandage on a minimum of 2 hours, no longer than 4 days. If bandage becomes compromised, such as a leak/puncture/peel that exposes the tattoo, remove immediately.
If you notice any bumps or irritation around the perimeter of the bandage, remove immediately.*
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Whenever you’re ready to remove your bandage, do so in the shower. Find a corner and stretch it outward, away from the bandage. The idea is to stretch the bandage until it gently lifts off the skin. Peeling it back like a bandaid can potentially irritate skin or even pull out ink. It’s not a perfect science — just take your time!
Once the bandage is off, wash away the area with an unscented soap until all residue is gone.
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When the skin is clean, let it breathe while it dries. Apply a thin layer of moisturizer on the tattoo with clean hands.
I recommend Aquaphor, A&D ointment, or raw shea butter.**
A little goes a long way! You want enough product to keep the tattoo from cracking, but not so much that it suffocates skin.
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A tattoo generally takes about two weeks to heal.
During this time you’ll want to repeat this process of cleaning and moisturizing as needed, up to twice a day.
Expect dryness, itchiness, flakiness, and even scabbing. If you notice any signs of infection or an allergic reaction* contact a doctor immediately.
Showering is fine with or without your bandage — soaking is not and puts you at risk of infection. Avoid keeping the skin submerged under water.
Keep your healing tattoo out of the sun as much as possible. Do not apply sunscreen until after the tattoo is fully healed.
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Keep it simple! Above all, your tattoo just wants to breathe and be clean.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!
*This is likely a reaction to the adhesive itself, or the bandage tugging at the skin. While it can sometimes lead to blisters, it is likely not an infection and should not affect the tattoo.
**Most simple moisturizers without fragrance or additives will be fine, but feel free to consult me to be sure! Avoid coconut oil and essential oils. Medicinal products such as triple antibiotic are unnecessary.