Aftercare
Bandage
There are a couple ways I bandage my clients up after the tattoo is finished— Second Skin and Plastic Wrap. Having a covering for the first day or first few days will help protect your tattoo from infections while it’s still open— after the first few days, it will have scabbed over and, for the most part, can protect itself!
Lotion/Moisturizing
After taking your bandage/covering off, you can start moisturizing the tattoo!
As a starting point, I recommend applying lotion once a day. If the tattoo feels dry or crusty, or you have a tendency to have dryer skin, I’d say you can apply up to 3 times a day. On the other end, if you feel like you’re applying too much or you’re seeing breakouts or spots around the area of the tattoo, you may limit application to fewer than once a day— maybe once every few days or once it starts to feel dry.
Use products that let your skin breathe, no oil or petrolium based products.
Cleaning and Showering
This is one of those things that really varies person to person, depending on your lifestyle.For example, if your new tattoo is in a high-contact area like your wrist or hand, you’ll probably need to wash it more often than a tattoo on your thigh or torso. However, even in cases like this, it’s my opinion that you don’t really need to be washing off your tattoo more often than just taking regular showers, with the exception of when you believe it's gotten dirty.
Use scentless soaps when washing your tattoo, and scentless moisturizing products
Do's and Don'ts
Protect Your Tattoo from the Sun
Your new tattoo is fragile and sensitive to UV rays. Sun exposure can cause fading and interfere with healing. Avoid direct sunlight for the first two to four weeks, and cover your tattoo with loose clothing if you need to be outdoors. Once healed, apply sunscreen SPF 30 regularly to protect your tattoo from UV damage and keep it looking fresh.
Avoid Strenuous Activity
Working out can introduce bacteria to your fresh tattoo through sweat, overstretch healing skin, and cause scabs to tear. Wait 48 hours before doing light activities like walking or cycling. For the first four to six weeks, avoid strenuous exercises and clean your tattoo immediately after any physical activity.
Avoid Tight Clothing
Wear loose, breathable fabrics over your tattoo during the healing process. Tight clothing can stick to lotions or gels, pull off scabs, and cause unnecessary pain or irritation. Dedicate a few pieces of clothing specifically for this stage to prevent ink from staining your wardrobe.
Do Not Pick at Scabs
Scabbing is a natural part of the healing process. Picking at scabs can pull ink out of your skin, leading to patchy spots and scarring. Resist the urge to scratch, and use your moisturizer to calm any itching.
Avoid Swimming
Pools, hot tubs, and natural bodies of water expose your fresh tattoo to bacteria and chemicals, which can lead to infection. Avoid swimming for the first two to three weeks or until the scabs have fully healed. Showering is safe as long as you’re gentle and avoid soaking the area.