What to purchase prior to the tattoo appointment:

• Non scented non colored soap like Dial Antibacterial Soap
• Non scented non colored lotion like Lubriderm or Cetaphil
• Breathable Bandage (I highly recommend Recovery Derm Shield)

The first layer of Derm Shield will be applied to your tattoo before you leave the shop.

The breathable bandage will likely need to be patched and/or changed during the following 4 days after getting tattooed.

Derm Shield is sold at the shop for $40.00 in a package of 10 sheets that are 10x14" OR purchase online: https://recoveryaftercare.com/collections/tattoo-products

Breathable Bandage Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Gently clean with anti bacterial soap and pat dry the tattoo and surrounding area, ensuring there is no soap or any residue on the skin. With clean gloves, remove Derm Shield from the sterile pouch. Cut the Derm Shield to cover tattooed area plus a 1 to 2 inch margin from the edge of the tattoo. Peel off backing to expose adhesive side and position the Derm Shield over the tattoo with the adhesive side facing the skin. Gently apply using light pressure, starting from the center to the edges.

Should there be bubbles in the Derm Shield after application, take a sterilized scissors, cut a tiny hole in the Derm Shield where the bubbles are, then patch the holes with small pieces of Derm shield.

Do not stretch the Derm Shield during application.

The first Derm Shield application should stay in place for 24 hours and up to but not exceeding 4 days total, depending on level of exudation. It is normal for blood and fluids to collect under the bandage, and, just as long as the fluid is not leaking, it is good to leave it inside the bandage as it helps heal the tattoo much faster.

Derm Shield can be reapplied every day if need be. From the time of the tattoo session, the total amount of days wearing the Derm Shield should not exceed 4 days total, no matter how many times it's changed within the period of time.

Should the Derm Shield agitate the skin (make the skin itchy, bumpy, burning, etc.), this could be an indicator that there is an allergy to the Derm Shield, remove immediately and don't reapply.

Directions for breathable bandage removal

In the shower, gently peel the Derm Shield by pulling it slowly from the edge back over itself. Do not pull the bandage upwards.

Directions after breathable bandage removal

Wash tattoo daily in the shower with anti bacterial soap. Keep non scented non colored lotion on the tattoo for the remainder of the healing process.

What to purchase prior to the tattoo appointment:

• Plastic wrap
• Aquaphor or Vasoline
• Medical tape
• Non scented non colored soap like Dial Antibacterial Soap.
• Non scented non colored lotion like Lubriderm or Cetaphil

Plastic wrap aftercare

Take off the plastic wrap in the shower, gently wash your tattoo every 4-6 hours with your bare clean hand and antibacterial soap.

There will likely be a lot of goo and ink coming off your healing tattoo. Gently washing this away will prevent your tattoo from scabbing.

Example of washing schedule: Wash the tattoo right before bed and right when you wake up in the morning, and then wash it two times during the day.

When you get out of the shower, let the tattoo naturally air dry for 5 minutes or pat dry with something sterile like a paper towel.

When changing the plastic wrap, DO NOT LEAVE THE TATTOO OUT IN THE AIR TO BREATH FOR LONGER THAN 3 TO 5 MINUTES IN BETWEEN RE WRAPPING WITH PLASTIC WRAP. If it starts to scab from being left too long in between bandaging, you must discontinue the plastic wrap all together and go to the next stage of healing.

While wearing a nitrile glove or your bare clean hand, apply a thin layer or Aquaphor or Vaseline and then wrap the tattooed area with plastic wrap which will be taped to the skin in order to be kept in place.

• Cover your tattoo with sunblock until it’s fully healed.
• Scratch or pick at the tattoo.
• Wear abrasive clothing over the tattoo.
• Go swimming or immerse your body in water with a healing tattoo.
• Don't exercise AT LEAST 4 days after getting tattooed!
• Don't let the tattoo be exposed to the sun for 6 months (wear an SPF shirt over the tattoo).

Tattoo aftercare by day

How quickly you heal depends on the size of your tattoo and how intricate it is. Bigger tattoos will stay red and swollen longer because they cause more trauma to your skin.

Day 1

You’ll come home from the tattoo studio with a bandage or plastic wrap over your tattoo.

Once the breathable bandage or plastic wrap comes off, you’ll probably notice fluid oozing from the tattoo. This is blood, plasma (the clear part of blood), and some extra ink. It’s normal. Your skin will also be red and sore. It might feel slightly warm to the touch.

Days 2 to 3

By now, your tattoo will have a duller, cloudier appearance. This happens as your skin heals.

Days 4 to 6

The redness should start to fade.

You’ll probably notice some light scabbing or extra callus-like skin over the tattoo. The scabs shouldn’t be as thick as the scabs you get when you cut yourself, but they’ll be raised. Don’t pick at the scabs - this can cause scarring.

Days 6 to 14

The scabs/callus-like skin will begin to flake off.

Don’t pick at them or try to pull them off. Let them come off naturally. Otherwise, you could pull out the ink and leave scars.

At this point, your skin may feel very itchy. Gently rub on a fragrance-free and alcohol-free moisturizer several times a day to relieve the itch.

Days 15 to 30

In this last stage of healing, most of the big flakes will be gone and the scabs should be going away. You might still see some dead skin, but it should eventually clear up too.

The tattooed area might still look dry and dull. Keep moisturizing until the skin looks hydrated again.

By the second or third week, the outer layers of skin should’ve healed. It may take 6 whole months for the lower layers to completely heal.

By the end of your third month, the tattoo should look as bright and vivid as the artist intended.

GOOD TO KNOW...

Infection

A tattoo that isn’t properly cared for can get infected. Infected skin will be red, warm, and painful. It may also leak pus.

Allergic reaction

If you’re sensitive to the ink your artist used, you may develop a red, itchy skin reaction at the site. According to a 2019 studyTrusted Source, red dyes are the most likely to cause an allergic reaction.

ResearchTrusted Source shows that red dyes, along with blue and black dyes, are also more likely to cause nonallergic skin reactions such as photosensitivity.

Scarring

Damage from the needle or from picking at the tattoo can cause your body to produce scar tissue. Scars can be permanent.

Long-term tattoo aftercare tips

Once your tattoo has healed, you move into maintenance mode. Though you don’t have to specifically care for it after 3 or 4 months, there are things you can do to prevent the ink from degrading.

Keep it clean and moisturized.

Watch what you wear. Wear SPF clothing so the sun won’t fade your tattoo.

Always apply sunblock should the tattoo be exposed to the sun.

Avoid scratchy fabrics, such as wool, which can damage the art.

Avoid excess weight gain or loss. Changes in weight could stretch out or distort the tattoo.