GENERAL AFTERCARE
When you leave the shop, you will likely have some sort of bandage over the tattoo. This cover is there to protect your new tattoo from bacterial infection, and it must be left on for as long as your artist recommended. Exactly how long it should be left on depends on the tattoo, so your artist will tell you when to remove the covering.
Remember to avoid going to the gym, participating in activities that lead to excessive sweating or physical contact, exposure to the sun, tanning, and going into large bodies of water (pool, ocean, hot tubs, etc.), for the next 2 - 4 weeks. All these things can and will damage the tattoo during the healing process. Keep your tattoo dry and only get it wet when you're washing it.
Below is a general breakdown of tattoo aftercare. If anything is unclear, always consult with your artist first!
Step 1 - Clean!
Once you're ready to wash your tattoo, you can remove the bandage. You will want to wash your new tattoo at least twice a day with a non-scented, antibacterial soap to keep it clean and avoid potential infection (Dial Gold soap is a great brand to use and is widely available). Make sure to do this until the tattoo is healed. Be gentle - use your bare hands and avoid abrasive washcloths and loofahs. Remember to never touch your tattoo except with your clean and washed hands. After your tattoo is clean, gently dab it dry with clean paper towels and allow the tattoo to air dry thoroughly.
Step 2 - Protect!
For the first 3 - 5 days, make sure to apply an ointment to keep your tattoo protected. Tattoo balm products (Inkeeze, Hustle Butter, etc.) work best but Aquaphor is just fine and is readily available. Avoid using Neosporin, Vaseline, and other heavy petroleum based products. Use this sparingly! Only a very thin layer is needed. Over-applying products will make the tattoo heal poorly and could reduce its quality. Try to use small dabs throughout the tattoo, then spread it very thin. Your tattoo should have minimal shine from the ointment if you're using it correctly. Wipe away any excess ointment with a paper towel. Reapply throughout the day only as needed.
Step 3 - Moisturize!
After 4 - 7 days of washing, thoroughly drying, and applying ointment, your tattoo will start to look dry and scabby - this is normal. Continue your aftercare regimen, but now you can switch to an unscented lotion (Lubriderm is readily available and highly recommended). Allow your skin to naturally flake off in order for your tattoo to heal properly. Remember the less agitation your tattoo gets, the better. Gently rub lotion into your healing tattoo until it’s fully absorbed and do so as often as needed. Keeping it sufficiently moisturized will help with itching, but if the itching is still unbearable, try rinsing with cold water when washing or applying a clean wrapped cold pack to the area for a few minutes.
Step 4 - Long Term Care!
Tattoos lighten up after they have fully healed - this is normal. Your skin will heal over the embedded tattoo ink, muting colors and blacks. You can protect your tattoo from sun damage/fading by putting on sunscreen when going outside. SPF 30 and higher is recommended. Always keep your tattoos moisturized, especially in areas prone to fading like hands, feet, elbows, etc. This will help keep your tattoo looking vibrant over the years. There are many brands out there that offer tattoo aftercare products such as H2Ocean and Inkeeze so if you don’t want to use normal sunscreen, these brands are available! You pay a lot for a quality tattoo, so do what you can to make it last!
If you’re using Saniderm or other adhesive-barrier tattoo products
Adhesive barrier tattoo bandages are not saran wrap! These can be left on for multiple days for most clients. You can take your Saniderm off after 4 - 6 days, but it’s fine to leave it on up to 7 days. These bandages are waterproof and flexible, but may cause irritation in areas prone to movement and stretching (i.e. armpits, inner arms, etc.) You won’t have to apply creams or ointments to your tattoo while Saniderm is on - your tattoo is healing just fine underneath the bandage. Once it’s time to remove it, you’ll want to pick at a corner and gently peel it off in the shower or under the sink. There may be some ink and/or fluids that have collected underneath the bandage, but this is normal - you’ll just want to wash it away with a mild gel hand soap such as Dial Gold or Softsoap (remember to use the plain unscented non-foaming standard gel soaps). Once your tattoo is clean, pat it dry, and apply lotion as needed. If the tattoo is unbearably itchy, just rinse it in cold water or apply a clean wrapped cold pack to the tattoo for a few minutes. If you have any questions or concerns, always start by asking the artist that applied the bandage!