Tattoo Aftercare

 With Derm Shield:

  • Leave Derm Shield on 3-5 days UNLESS an allergic reaction occurs, pulling from the bandage causes blisters, or the bandage peels to the point of tattoo exposure. In any of those instances remove the bandage and clean tattoo immediately.

  • Take off in the shower or under warm running water, be careful and gentle because of the strong adhesive, take your time. Coconut oil or soap can be used between adhesive side of the bandage and your skin to help it come off easier. Stretch the bandage parallel to you skin, and out and away from your tattoo instead of peeling it for an easier time taking it off. If you just rip off your wrap and do not run it under water your soul will leave your body. I know, I’ve done it. (It can also rip off surrounding skin, ouch.)

  • FOLLOW TRADITIONAL AFTERCARE FROM THIS POINT (DOWN BELOW)

  • Note: Sweat mixed with the Derm Shield WILL cause a rash! I cannot stress this enough! There are a lot of reasons to not get sweaty when you have a fresh tattoo and this is a big one. If you do sweat heavily for some reason please take off the wrap immediately and clean your tattoo with your unscented soap and pat it dry.

  • You will not need to rewrap your tattoo unless I have given you supplies for it and walked you through how to rewrap it safely.

Traditional Aftercare

  • Remove plastic wrap after 2-3 hours unless directed otherwise

  • You will not need to rewrap your tattoo at any time

  • Clean your tattoo with an unscented antibacterial soap as soon as you remove the wrap, with clean hands and in a CLEAN area (shower is great), then pat dry with a clean paper towel. I use the gold dial liquid hand soap or the Dr. Bronners. unscented baby soap.

  • Clean your tattoo 2-3x a day, or morning, night, and if anything unsanitary touches it (children, pets, etc.), then pat dry with a clean paper towel

  • Once your tattoo starts drying out and peeling(typically a couple of days), you can use an extremely light layer of ointment 2-3x a day or as needed.

  • I use Hustle butter during the tattoo process and you can use that to heal your tattoo (ULTA), Dr. Bronners Unscented Magic Balm has been a huge hit (Target), Mad Rabbit soothing soothing gel and tattoo balm have been popular (online website), or we sell Tattoo Lover’s ointment at Upper Moon Tattoo which is amazing (at our shop).

  • Extremely light layer of ointment. Very light. It should look soft like cloth, and not shiny or goopy. If it is goopy please rinse it off and pat it dry to get the excess ointment off.

  • Avoid picking at or scratching your tattoo, not only can it cause general irritation but it can also cause scarring (slapping it helps)

  • NO swimming/soaking of any kind until your tattoo is healed, this can not only cause oversaturation to any scabs and have pieces fall out too soon, but it can also cause infections. Baths are included in this category. NO you cannot rewrap your tattoo to go swimming or in the hot tub.

  • NO working out until tattoo is fully healed, not only can sweat irritate your tattoo, but gyms are a fantastic place to pick up staph infection or other skin problems. Sweat will also soak any scabs that have formed and will be more susceptible to being pulled off early, which can cause scarring to form.

  • No gardening, there’s dirt and usually sweat and not a hygienic environment for a fresh tattoo.

  • Do not allow pets or children to touch your new tattoo until it’s finished healing.

  • If you have pets that sleep with you, it’s best to change your bedding before removing your wrap and keep them from sleeping with you for a few nights. (Painful, I know, but so is an infection.)

  • Stay out of the sun with your fresh tattoo, you don’t want sun damage on top of the delicate skin that’s trying to heal (ouch). I recently learned that tattoos do take about 6 months to a year to heal the deeper layers of skin tissue and the skin will be thinner than surrounding areas, so keep in mind the tattood area may be more sensitive to sun for longer than just the initial 2-3 week heal. Sun damage directly to a VERY fresh tattoo can result in 2nd-3rd degree burns depending on the severity, and even after it’s healed a while it can be more susceptible to freckling or dark spots. Sun screen (once it’s healed, not while it is still healing) is your friend.

  • Provided you take care of your tattoo you should be fully healed in 2-2.5 weeks, however depending on your skin type and general health it may take slightly longer. Diabetics, for example, can heal more slowly.

  • Should you have any questions on aftercare feel free to contact me through Instagram. You can email as well, but Instagram is faster. Thank you!