1. Keep it dry!

Absolutely NO submerging the tattoo in water for at least three weeks, up to six weeks for larger, more saturated tattoos until it is fully healed and settled*! This includes baths, hot tubs, lakes, oceans, etc. (showers are okay!)

2. Hands off!

Itching, flaking and scabs are all normal and to be expected! Do NOT pick or scratch the tattoo! Lotion is for comfort only, it does not help the tattoo heal, so use sparingly only when needed and always on dry skin.

3. Keep it Clean!

Your tattoo is an open wound and should be treated as such! Be sure to wash your hands well with soap and water before applying lotion or cleaning your tattoo and always use a clean towel or paper towel to pat (do not rub) the tattoo dry.

4. Be Gentle!

While the tattoo is healing, especially while it is flakey, avoid tight or rough clothing. Avoid using products that contain petroleum, dyes or perfumes/fragrances on or near your tattoo. Simple, water-based lotions and soaps made for sensitive skin are usually best.

5. Wear Sunscreen!

During the healing process, avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds!
After the tattoo is fully healed (~6+ weeks), use SPF 50 or higher on the tattoo (and preferably the rest of your exposed skin!) daily and re-apply every two hours to protect yourself and your tattoo from sun exposure and excessive fading! All tattoos will change and fade over time, but sun-damage can greatly alter the appearance of your tattoos!

TRANSPARENT BANDAGE**

AKA WET HEALING
(SANIDERM, TEGADERM OR SECOND SKIN)

**not recommended for people with allergies to adhesive

This bandage is intended to stay on for three to five days. If the seal is broken anywhere around the perimeter during this time and it starts leaking, remove the bandage as soon as possible — bacteria could become trapped underneath and may compromise the healing of the tattoo and could even become infected. If irritation occurs, remove the bandage.

Fluid build-up under the surface of the bandage is normal and to be expected. Do NOT drain the fluid!
This fluid is called “plasma” which carries blood cells, nutrients and proteins to heal the skin and help remove waste from the cells. Plasma also contains important components like anti-bodies, clotting factors required to heal the tattoo.¹

Refrain from heavy sweating while second skin is on.

bandage removal

After three to five days, it will be time to remove the Second Skin bandage. We recommend doing this in the shower! Start at one corner and gently pull away from you, parallel to the skin like you would a command strip. DO NOT “peel” or pull directly up or back over the bandage, this will cause more discomfort and it is more likely to rip the second skin, making it harder to take off.

Carefully clean the tattoo with lukewarm water and gentle, unscented soap. A small amount of oil (e.x. baby oil, coconut oil, olive oil) can be used to remove left over adhesive if necessary. If oil gets on your tattoo, rinse it off with water.

Air dry or pat dry with a clean paper towel.

Wait 24 hours before applying a small amount of unscented, petroleum-free lotion (e.x. Eucerin Aquaphor, Unscented Lubriderm). Do not over saturate or apply lotion more than twice daily to the tattoo, it is important that the area stays dry! Lotion is only used for your comfort, it does not help your tattoo heal!

¹ Information about plasma via Stanford Medicine

Meat Packing Bandage

AKA dRY hEALING

This bandage is intended to stay on for 24 hours. After 24 hours, remove the bandage and gently wash the tattoo once daily before bed with a gentle, unscented soap and let air dry or pat dry with a clean paper towel. Wear loose fitted clothing and if necessary, wrap the tattoo in saran wrap.

After approximately three days, the tattoo should be flakey or forming scabs. At this time you may start applying a thin layer of unscented petroleum free lotion (e.x. Eucerin Aquaphor, Unscented Lubriderm) twice daily. Do not over saturate or apply lotion more than twice daily to the tattoo, it is important that the area stays dry! Lotion is only used for your comfort, it does not help your tattoo heal!