How do I take care of my new tattoo?

Here are the recommended aftercare instructions I provide to all of my clients:

 

1. Remove your bandage after one hour if you received a standard dry-lock pad. Do not leave on longer than two hours and do not rebandage the tattoo.

 

2. Wash the tattoo gently with clean hands and a mild, unscented soap, such as gold Dial soap. Do not wash with a washcloth. Make sure to wash your tattoo at least twice a day. Morning and night at the minimum. 

 

3. Gently pat it dry with a clean paper towel.

 

4. Once completely dry, apply a healing ointment such as Aquaphor or A&D, or a specialty tattoo healing balm three times a day for the first three days. Make sure it is a very paper thin layer. Too much can pull the ink from the tattoo and it can heal unevenly.

 

5. After three days, you can use an unscented lotion three times a day until it is healed. This typically takes anywhere from 7-14 days.

 

6. Do not submerge your tattoo in water while healing, such as getting in a pool, bathtub, lake, or hot tub. Showers are absolutely fine.

 

7. Your tattoo will peel and flake, but this is normal. Do NOT pick the scabs/flaking skin. let them come off on their own. 8. If you have pets or are around animals, make sure to wash your tattoo as soon as possible if an animal does touch it while healing.

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