Congrats on your new tattoo!

Healing your tattoo is the next step in the tattoo process. Your tattoo is an open wound and it is up to you to make sure it’s treated with care . It takes a tattoo 3-4 weeks to fully heal. There are 4 distinct stages of healing . So let’s make sure we have all the information on how to care for it.

Here are the two main methods of care our artists use at our shop:

Saran wrap or Derm Shield.

Products you’ll need to care for the tattoo:

paper towels

antibacterial soap in pump bottle ( do not use bar soaps )

recommended ointment ( ex hustle butter, coconut oil, sorry mom )

Be sure to ask your artist what products they use, that way you have a reference of what works for you.

Derm Shield recovery aftercare is a latex-free breathable waterproof bandage. It reduces exposure to bacteria, dirt and abrasions.

Plastic wrap and gauze can usually be removed within a few hours. Medical-grade adhesive, known as “derm shield,” is designed to last several days. Common brands include:

• Dermalize

• Saniderm

• SecondSkin

• Tegaderm

Your artist will have either done a patch test before your appointment or has confirmed with you that you have used the product before applying to avoid an alergeric reaction.

If you have allergies to adhesives or sensitive skin, Derm Shield may not be the best method for you!

When it’s time to remove the dressing, wash your hands thoroughly before gently peeling back the wrap. Typically saran wrap is removed after 1-3 hours after the appointment, derm shield stays on longer.

Use warm water and fragrance-free antibacterial soap to cleanse the area. Rinse well before lightly pat drying the skin. Wait a few minutes before applying a thin amount ointment or lotion your artist recommends.

Days 2–3

By now, your tattoo will have a duller, cloudier appearance. This happens as your skin heals. Scabs may start to form.

If you’ve already removed your dressing early you will want to start the following steps right away, wash your tattoo once or twice a day, pat dry, and apply a thin amount off ointment. You might notice some ink running into the sink. This is just excess ink that’s come up through your skin.

Days 4-6

“Derm Shield” is typically removed during this time. Some artists recommend running the area under water/in the shower while you peel back the adhesive layer. Make sure your hands are clean before getting started.

You might find it helpful to pull egdes of the derm shield lightly away from the center of the bandage, allowing the adhesive to stretch until it lifts from the skin slowly. Cleanse the area with antibacterial soap and allow the skin to dry before applying the suggested ointment or lotion your artist recommends. Apply a thin layer of ointment, do not glob on the product. Over moisturizing the area could cause slight maceration (what happens when your hands are in water for long periods of time) slowing the healing process, giving opportunity for infection and can be painful. So please apply when you feel the area drying out, but keep in mind it shouldn’t constantly coated in products.

Any redness should start to fade. You might notice some light scabbing over the tattoo.There may be some scabbing , Don’t pick at the scabs — this can cause scarring.

Keep washing your tattoo once or twice a day, and apply ointment or lotion as needed.

Days 6–14

By now, any scabs have hardened and 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 daily to relieve the itch.

Days 15–30

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 3–4 months for the lower layers to heal completely.

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

!!!!!Removal info below!!!!!!!