Aftercare
So here we are... You've left the tattoo shop and you're away from the umbrella of my direct attention and care. The next few weeks are all up to you to ensure your tattoo heals as safely and beautifully as it was when you left the studio! You'll have the option to use Recovery Derm, or a natural healing process. I will help you choose the best option for your tattoo. Follow my instructions below to set your healing up for success!
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Recovery Derm Aftercare
Recovery Derm is bandage that goes on like a clear sticker. It was originally created for use as a breathable, water-resistant second skin for burn victims, and we've been using it for tattooing for about 8 years. Recovery Derm (or similar derms) keeps your plasma fluid, and collects it like a pouch. The alternative is, your body produces plasma and it dries on top of the tattoo, which can be pretty painful and prolong the healing process!
What I ask of my clients who choose recovery derm is:
- Leave the bandage on for 72 hours (your tattoo is considered an open wound for 72 hours)
- If you've had extensive work done by me I may give you a second bandage with instructions to replace it after 24 hours (this will be on a case by case basis)
- Be aware that the bandage may get very full, and this is normal! Do not feel like you need to poke a hole or remove any of the plasma. In fact, your body can actually re-absorb some of the plasma.
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- I suggest removing your bandage while taking a shower. Let the water run over the bandage, taking it off slowly. The water will aid in removing it.
- Wash the tattoo with unscented, antibacterial soap like Dial. If your tattoo is still weeping/creating plasma (and you'll KNOW if it is) then continue to wash it twice daily until it stops. But in most cases, with this aftercare, everything will be closed up by the time you remove the bandage, so no need to wash it daily outside of your normal routine.
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- Lotion 2 - 3 times daily with CLEAN HANDS, applying a thin layer of water-based, unscented lotion, like Curel or Lubriderm (it is NOT necessary to oversaturate your tattoo. A rule of thumb is if you can see the lotion, there's too much).
- DO NOT use a container of lotion that you need to dip your fingers into: this can lead to cross-contamination! Instead, use lotion with a pump or squeeze tube (if you have to use an open container, use something like a tongue compressor/popsicle stick to scoop it out).
- Continue to lotion for up to 2 weeks.
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- NO SWIMMING during healing
- NO DIRECT SUNLIGHT during healing
Natural Healing Aftercare
If you do not prefer Recovery Derm, OR if you have an allergy and we can't use the bandage, here is what I would like you to do:
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- You will need to wash your tattoo 3 times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with unscented, antibacterial soap, like Dial.
- After washing your tattoo, it is very important to let it air dry, and not use a towel or paper towel (anything that could hold bacteria).
- I tell people not to put any lotion or ointments on their tattoo for the first 72 hours.
- Your tattoo is still an open wound for the first 72 hours, and in my professional opinion, if you choose to lotion your tattoo during that stage, you run the risk of irritating or infecting your tattoo.
- You will need to continue washing your tattoo 3 times a day for up to 7 days.
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- On day 4, you can begin lotioning your tattoo! With CLEAN HANDS, apply a water-based, unscented lotion like Curel or Lubriderm.
(it is NOT necessary to oversaturate your tattoo. A rule of thumb is if you can see the lotion, there's too much).
- DO NOT use a container of lotion that you need to dip your fingers into: this can lead to cross-contamination! Instead, use lotion with a pump or squeeze tube (if you have to use an open container, use something like a tongue compressor/popsicle stick to scoop it out).
- Continue to lotion for up to 2 weeks.
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- NO SWIMMING during healing
- NO DIRECT SUNLIGHT during healing
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- If you choose the natural aftercare process, Mel will give you verbal tips for an easier heal after your appointment
What to Expect During Your Healing Process
PAIN and DISCOMFORT are a natural part of every tattoo healing process! Your tattoo is going to produce plasma and "weep" for 3 - 4 days. Ideally, your tattoo will heal like a sunburn. It will PEEL, and it will ITCH.
- DO NOT pick at the skin! You can literally pull the ink out of the skin (and when you come in for a touch-up I will know EXACTLY what you did).
- DO NOT itch your tattoo! Instead, feel free to slap it (itching your tattoo can reopen wounds, cause scarring, irritate the tattoo and prolong healing).
- Expect that every time you get tattooed, you're going to heal differently! A lot of factors affect the healing process (the part of your body, your immune system, your environment, your lifestyle, hydration, etc).
- Animal dander and hair WILL INFECT YOUR TATTOO! It's very important to make sure you have clean bed sheets.
- If you're going to touch your tattoo, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CLEAN HANDS!
- Sometimes, your skin will become "milky," and your tattoo will look faded during the healing process. Although this is uncommon, it CAN happen, and DO NOT PANIC! You're still healing, and it won't look its best until its 100% healed.
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- If you scab, you need to continue washing it with unscented, antibacterial soap (like Dial). Scabs can hold bacteria, so it's important to give them extra care until they're gone. DO NOT pick at them! Let them fall off naturally.
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- You do not want to damage damaged skin, aka skin that's try to heal. Think about it... if you got a bad sunburn, would you want to go sit back in the sun again? NO! So, no direct sunlight.
- Soaking a fresh tattoo WILL RUIN IT. NO SWIMMING! Washing a tattoo is very important, but if you're trying to keep it, DO NOT soak it. Shower = OK. Bath = NOT OK.
- Expect to be fully healed within 2 weeks to a month.
- If you are having any concerns about the healing, feel free to hit me up! I'm here to help!