aftercare

Keep the wrap on for 1-3 hours after leaving the shop. Do not leave on for more than 4 hours.

Upon removing the plastic wrap, you may notice excess liquid weeping from your skin, as well as intense swelling or even bruising. This is normal, your body went through a lot.

Dispose of the wrap and immediately wash the area or shower. Use liquid antibacterial soap or a gentle facial cleanser. Never use soap with fragrance on fresh tattoos.

Use your fingers to wash. Just enough to get the plasma off the surface. No loofah’s or exfoliating cloths. Ouch!

Use cool to warm water. I personally like starting off washing brand new tattoos with the coldest water I can tolerate, and then gradually warming it up to an equally tolerable warm temperature. helps the plasma budge and makes the colors pop :)

Pat dry the tattoo with a clean towel. No wiping or rubbing! Don’t moisturize immediately after the first wash. Your skin is likely still weeping fluid at this point. Wait until the tattoo looks like it needs lotion to apply lotion. This usually happens the next day.

Do not re-cover the tattoo after removing the initial dressing. Let it breathe. Sleep in loose fitting clothes and don’t use white sheets for the next week or so. Your skin may continue to weep plasma for the next few days, which can and will stick to/stain your clothes and bed sheets. There isn’t much you can do to avoid this. Do not re-apply plastic wrap to the tattoo, It needs to breathe. Ink fallout is unlikely to happen from the tattoo sticking to sheets, but if it does, I offer a free touch up.

Do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol or any amount of blood thinning medication for 24-48 hours after getting tattooed. I do not recommend doing any outdoor activities or going to the gym for the first 5 days after taking the plastic wrap off. If you must sweat or get dirty, PLEASE wash the tattoo immediately after.

A large unhealthy meal, Ibuprofen, EmergenC, cold compresses, copious amounts of rest, and keeping the tattooed area slightly elevated are all great things to do for the first 2 days of tattoo recovery.

Wash the tattoo once or twice a day, or as needed if you are sweaty or exposed to the elements. Gently wash it with your fingers using gentle unscented soap. No loofahs or exfoliators. It will get flaky after a few days. is completely normal and supposed to happen. Don’t pick at it or itch it! If you feel like itching, moisturize it instead. Let your body do its thing.

Unscented moisturizers only! I really like Hustle Butter, Aveeno Baby Lotion, or CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. Apply it as needed in small amounts, use just enough to nurture the skin. Rub it in gently. Don’t slather a layer on top of your tattoo and leave it! This suffocates your tattoo and can cause sebaceous filaments, ink fallout, and infection! Let her breathe!

Wait at least 4-6 weeks before applying sunscreen. Keep it out of the sun as much as humanly possible until then. You’re good to use sunscreen once it’s no longer shiny or risen.

Using or doing any of the following on a new tattoo can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions, infections, or just ruin your tattoo. Use caution and be sure your tattoo is fully healed before doing any of the following:

-Skincare products with acidic or medicinal properties. Avoid for up to 3 months. We are strictly moisturizing here. Nothing extra. That’ll complicate things.

The No-No list includes, but is not limited to:

A&D Ointment, Neosporin, CBD creams, prescription topical steroids such as eczema or psoriasis cream, accutane or hydrocortisone gel, HRT gel, Menthol, Essential oils, Salicylic/Lactic/Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, Retinol/Retinoids.

-Fragrance & Dyes. Don’t wash or lotion the tattoo with Bath & Body Works.

-Blood Thinners. Not for the first 2-3 days.

-Antibiotic cream. Absolutely not.

-Waxing. wait until it’s fully healed and no longer risen or shiny. Usually 2 or more months.

-Hair removal cream. I’m so serious. My husband’s friend literally melted his skin off using Nair on a fresh tattoo. Absolutely ruined it.

-Pain relieving creams, such as Boiron, IcyHot, Tiger Balm, or BIOfreeze. This should be self explanatory.

-Avoid excess sweating! No hot yoga, saunas, or heavy cardio until it’s almost done being flaky.

-Animal fur/bites/licks/scratches. If your pet comes into contact with your healing tattoo, wash it immediately and monitor for symptoms of infection. If new redness or itchiness occurs, see your primary doctor or visit an urgent care for an antibiotic.

-Playing in dirt. Just be clean. Keep your tattoo clean.

- Infused essential oil products, like tea tree or eucalyptus lotion.

-Shaving. Wait until it becomes one with your skin before you drag a razor over it.

- Pools & baths ( Wait 1-2 months)

- Lakes & beaches (2+ months)

-Sunscreen (Wait 1+ month). Avoid direct sunlight on the fresh tattoo as much as possible until you are able to apply it.

-Tanning. You actually shouldn’t tan ever again if you’re concerned about your tattoos holding up over time.

-Exfoliating sponges, scrubs, or chemical exfoliants. Wait until well after your tattoo is fully healed.

Lastly, pease don’t scratch or pick at my artwork </3

A large unhealthy meal, a fat joint, Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, EmergenC, cold compresses, copious amounts of rest, and keeping the tattooed area slightly elevated are all great things to do for the first few days of tattoo recovery.

Avoid alcohol, illicit drugs, and blood thinners for 48 hours after getting tattooed.

Keep it simple with your aftercare products. Use antibacterial soap, or a gentle facial cleanser. do NOT use dish soap. I like Dial Gold Antibacterial Liquid Soap or Dr. Bronner’s Castile Baby Soap. You can use an unscented facial cleanser like CeraVe or Vanicream if you have it on hand.

Unscented moisturizers only! I really like Hustle Butter, Aveeno Baby Lotion, or CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. Apply as needed in small amounts, use just enough to nurture the skin. Rub it in gently. Don’t slather a layer on top of your tattoo and leave it! This suffocates your tattoo and can cause sebaceous filaments, ink fallout, and infection! Let her breathe!

Avoid using products with acids vitamins, retinol, and fragrance. If you want to use a petroleum based moisturizer, Aquaphor is better than Vaseline. Use petroleum based products sparingly. a pea sized amount or less should do the trick. Don’t slather it on. Do not exfoliate or apply sunscreen to your tattoo until it is fully healed, and no longer shiny or risen. Once it has been fully healed for 3+ months, I recommend using a Solid sunscreen stick for quick & easy UV protection, and a dry coffee scrub to exfoliate the skin.

Wait at least 4-6 weeks before applying sunscreen. Keep it out of the sun as much as humanly possible until then. You’re good to use sunscreen once it’s no longer shiny or risen. SPF 30 or higher is recommended. My personal favorite is the Neutrogena SPF Stick. it’s soo convenient to have when you’re in a rush or on the go. Avoid tanning, as this can speed up the tattoo aging process. Tattooed skin gets damaged way quicker than non tattooed skin. Sunscreen & long sleeves for life!

Exfoliate at least monthly. Moisturize once to twice a day for the rest of forever if possible. Always Use sunscreen on your tattoos when it will be exposed to UV rays. Shaving helps exfoliate the dead skin cells and keeps the tattoos lookin’ crispy. Once it has been fully healed for 3+ months, I recommend using a Solid sunscreen stick for quick & easy UV protection, and a dry coffee scrub to exfoliate the skin. stay hydrated and protect your immune system.