We designed your tattoo to last a lifetime.
Here’s how to get the most out of it.
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We will clean and wrap your tattoo at the end of the procedure. At this stage, your tattoo is an open wound; treat it as such. Please leave that wrap in place until the following morning.
Remove the bandage the morning after your appointment, using scissors if necessary. This is bio-waste; please dispose of it properly (away from children or pets).
Wash your hands with antibacterial soap, with as gentle a fragrance as you can find. Keep the soap handy, you’ll need this to wash your tattoo.
Get in the shower, and rinse off the slimy layer of blood plasma, ink, and glide. We recommend bringing water to the tattoo, as opposed to running the tattoo directly under the tap, Go about your regular business showering, as washing your tattoo is the last thing you’ll do in there.
Wash your tattoo gently, but thoroughly, with clean hands and antibacterial soap. Rinse the tattoo with hot water, and assess if you need to wash more. There should be no plasma, ink, or residue otherwise when you’re finished. Rinse the tattoo with as cold water as you can stand when you’re finished washing.
Get out of the shower, and allow the tattoo to air dry. While your tattoo is an open wound, please only air dry, or dab dry with a clean paper towel. Allow the tattoo to breathe for about 10 minutes.
Moisturize your tattoo with a thin layer of white unscented lotion. Our favorite is The Body Cream by Nécessaire.
For the first few days following your appointment, you’ll want to wash and moisturize your tattoo 3-4 times a day. Wash as often as you need to prevent any weeping fluids from drying on your tattoo and forming a scab. The scab is the natural predator to the newborn tattoo.
As your tattoo heals beyond being an open wound, washing your tattoo becomes less imperative. We recommend transitioning to washing the area 2 times a day, while maintaining your moisturizer regimen.
Your tattoo will begin to peel, similar to a sunburn. Allow the dead skin to flake at its own pace, while continuing to apply moisturizer throughout the day.
Should your tattoo scab: do not pick, scratch, pull, or interact with the scabs outside of applying moisturizer. They will come off when they’re ready, and premature removal could result in loss of ink.
Once your tattoo is fully peeled, please allow 1-2 more weeks for your top layer of skin to fully grow back. During this period, your tattoo is extra sensitive to scratching and sun damage; take precaution to protect your new tattoo.
Congratulations, you’ve fully healed your new tattoo! To keep it looking fresh for as long as possible, apply an SPF cream if you know you’ll be exposed to prolonged direct sunlight. Moisturize regularly to keep the top layer of skin looking healthy (this is the window to the tattoo).
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We will clean and wrap your tattoo at the end of the procedure. At this stage, your tattoo is an open wound; treat it as such. Please leave that wrap in place until the following morning.
Remove the bandage the morning after your appointment, using scissors if necessary. This is bio-waste; please dispose of it properly (away from children or pets).
Wash your hands with antibacterial soap, with as gentle a fragrance as you can find. Keep the soap handy, you’ll need this to wash your tattoo.
Get in the shower, and rinse off the slimy layer of blood plasma, ink, and glide. We recommend bringing water to the tattoo, as opposed to running the tattoo directly under the tap, Go about your regular business showering, as washing your tattoo is the last thing you’ll do in there.
Wash your tattoo gently, but thoroughly, with clean hands and antibacterial soap. Rinse the tattoo with hot water, and then shave the area to ensure a clean 2” border around the whole tattoo. Be sure to wash the tattoo again after shaving, even if using a new razor. There should be no plasma, ink, or residue otherwise when you’re finished. Rinse the tattoo with as cold water as you can stand when you’re finished washing.
Get out of the shower, and allow the tattoo to air dry. Allow the tattoo to breathe for about 10 minutes.
For the brave: wipe the entire shaved area down with a clean paper towel and some rubbing alcohol. This will remove any oils from your skin, allowing for a better adhesive seal.
Apply the adhesive bandage of your choice (we recommend Recovery Dermshield) according to its specific instructions, allowing for at least 1.5” of buffer between your tattoo and the edge of the bandage. If your tattoo requires multiple pieces for full coverage, start the top, overlapping slightly as you go down.
Leave the bandage on for 4-5 days, or until the bandage leaks. If fluids are able to escape the film, bacteria is able to enter. If your bandage leaks within the ~24 of you leaving the shop, you may replace the bandage. If you are unable to get at least 3 days out of your bandage, refer to the instructions above.
Remove the bandage under warm running water, doubling one side back over to its opposite. Wash any dried plasma / ink off of the tattoo (this may take more than one wash). You may have some residual adhesive around the edges of the bandage; this will come off in time.
Your tattoo may begin to peel, similar to a sunburn. Allow the dead skin to flake at its own pace, while applying a white, unscented moisturizer throughout the day.
Should your tattoo scab: do not pick, scratch, pull, or interact with the scabs outside of applying moisturizer. They will come off when they’re ready, and premature removal could result in loss of ink.
Once your tattoo is fully peeled, please allow 1-2 more weeks for your top layer of skin to fully grow back. During this period, your tattoo is extra sensitive to scratching and sun damage; take precaution to protect your new tattoo.
Congratulations, you’ve fully healed your new tattoo! To keep it looking fresh for as long as possible, apply an SPF cream if you know you’ll be exposed to prolonged direct sunlight. Moisturize regularly to keep the top layer of skin looking healthy (this is the window to the tattoo).