Tattoo Aftercare

*If at any time during the healing process, you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

If saniderm was not applied for you, or was not recommended, see general care instructions. If your saniderm has already been applied, and you are experiencing no issues, continue to the wear section. See below if you are applying saniderm for the first time or it needs to replacing after removal.

Saniderm or similar barrier film application:

Thoroughly clean and dry the tattoo and surrounding area. Do not apply any products. Make sure the saniderm is cut to the appropriate size to cover the entirety of the tattoo with a 1/2” - 1” border. Your tattoo will likely seep in the first couple days. This is normal, and the border is to give extra room to allow this to happen and prevent leaking*. It’s a good idea to trim the corners into rounds to help minimize lifting. First remove the paper backing to expose the adhesive side, and apply, covering the tattoo. Smooth hand over the saniderm to ensure it is adhered to the entire area, then remove the plastic backing. Smooth saniderm over once again.

*(Some individuals and some areas of the body do seep more than others, and sometimes leaking is unavoidable. In these instances, you may be instructed to wait a few hours or a couple days to apply the saniderm, or replace it in the event of leaking. Contact to your tattooer if needed.)

Wear:

Leave saniderm on, as is for up to 4 days. There is no need to wash or lotion during this period. Observe for  irritation, fluid leaking outside the dressing, tearing, or excessive lifting. If this occurs in the first 24-48 hours, remove the saniderm, and replace if desired, or proceed to the next step. (In the instance of irritation, replacing the saniderm is not recommended). If removal is necessary after the first couple days, simply remove and proceed to the next step.

Removal:

Gently peel back a corner, and rather than pulling straight up, gently pull, stretching sideways (parallel to the skin, and away from the tattoo) to help ease the dressing from the skin. It’s best to work patiently and deliberately. Some find that removal in the shower while water runs over it helps facilitate the process. Wash immediately after removal.

General Care

Washing:

Start immediately after saniderm removal. If you did not wear the saniderm, start right away. I recommend using a liquid antibacterial hand soap, such as dial or soft soap. You can gently apply pressure and massage the tattoo to help loosen buildup of ink, blood, and plasma. This is especially important the first few days. Rinse thoroughly, and gently pat dry (do not rub) with a clean towel or paper towel. Continue washing about twice a day. It is important to keep the tattoo clean as it heals. You may  wash more as needed (such as  coming in contact with dirt, an unsanitary surface, or if you sweat excessively).

Moisturizing:

Start immediately after saniderm removal. If you did not wear saniderm, you may need to wait up to 48 hours before applying a moisturizer. Please refer to your tattooer for instructions.

After each washing I recommend applying a plain, white, unscented, water based lotion. Apply in an even, thin layer- just enough to absorb into the skin, and no more. Additional applications can be added throughout the day, but only as needed. Do not overapply, as this can cause further irritation resulting in excessive scabbing, loss of color or infection. Heavy creams, medicated creams, or ointments are NOT recommended. Avoid products like Vaseline, Aquaphor, A&D, Neosporin, or similar. Refer to your artist for product recommendations.

Precautions:

Healing time varies per individual, but generally takes about 2-4 weeks. Some irritation is normal in the first 24 to 48 hours. During healing, observe for excessive irritation, swelling, redness, bumps or discoloration. Please notify me of any concerns. Remember, your tattoo is a wound and can get infected, so be cautious about your environment and things that come in contact with your skin. Clean towels, sheets, and clothing are important, especially in the first week.  Always be sure to wash your hands before touching your tattoo, especially when applying lotion. If you have pets, be mindful of pet fur. Avoid any activity or workout that may cause friction or strain on the tattooed area until healed. Avoid wearing any tight fitting or abrasive fabric. Your tattoo may seep in the first few days. If you are not using saniderm, be aware that this seeping may carry ink and blood, which may stain clothing and sheets. It may dry, temporarily adhering fabric to your tattoo. If this happens, run warm water over the fabric and gently pull it off the skin, then wash thoroughly being sure to remove any fibers that may have attached to the surface of your tattoo.  Do not submerge in standing water. Running water is ok. Avoid bathing, swimming, or soaking in a tub. Avoid sun exposure, and wear protective clothing if needed. DO NOT apply any dressing or product to the tattoo that is not recommended in the care routine until after the tattoo is completely healed (including sunscreen). Some scaling, light scabbing, and itching is normal. Do not pick or scratch. Continue the daily recommended care as directed until tattoo is healed.