AfTeRCare

• Mild Soap: Preferably unscented & antibacterial, such as Dial
• Paper Towels: Do not use bath towels, you will want something disposable
• Ointment or your preferred Tattoo healing product
• Unscented Lotion: Cetaphil or Eucerine for example
• Healing with Derm: Saniderm, Tatu-Derm or Tegaderm are good choices

*Not endorsed, just thoughts on products I’ve used myself

Overall, I prefer products in tube containers rather than tubs for easier and hygienic handling. If your preferred aftercare is in a tub just remember to have clean hands when handling the product and never share it with anyone else. Otherwise the product is easily contaminated and when you apply it on your tattoo it can cause infection.

• A & D Ointment: Apply sparingly since it’s usually a thick consistency.
• Aquaphor: Water-based & my usual recommendation since it has no scent, has a more lotion-like texture, and is easily found in any convenience store. Travel-sized should be enough unless you got a tattoo that is larger than 5-6 in.
• Bactine Spray: Also easily found in pharmacies or convenience stores. I sometimes use it as an extra precaution when cleaning the tattoo.
• Cetaphil & Eucerine: Both good mild lotions for sensitive skin and they usually have cleansing soaps as well.
• Hustle Butter: Has good moisturizing ingredients, however it comes in a tub container which I’m wary of because it’s easier to contaminate. I recommend getting the smallest size.
• Tattoo Goo: Extremely watery so it easily absorbs, which is helpful since your skin will be irritated. However, it’s so watery that it can just fall out of the tube.

• 7-10 days for minimal work, linework or fineline work
• 2-3 weeks for larger work especially for cover-ups, color, or shading sessions. Healing may take longer because there was more trauma done to the skin as well as some skin reaction while healing to certain colors.

• Flaking and peeling is finished and the tattoo skin returns to regular skin texture, flat and matte. If there are any scabs, they will have naturally fallen off.

• Yes, and sometimes it’s easier to clean the tattoo while showering. Just avoid showering for too long, using hot water directly on the tattoo, and soaps with fragrance until the tattoo is healed. However, no baths.

• It’s good to take a break for a couple days if possible. If you must work-out try to stick with cardio or physical activity that will avoid exposing the tattoo area to any public surface or equipment. Also be sure to clean the tattoo and apply ointment after sweating.

• Tylenol, aspirin, or Advil is fine to take after your session.

• Derm comes in various brands (Saniderm, Tatu-Derm or Tegaderm) and can be found online, CVS, or Target. Rolls are more available online and are best for large tattoos. Patches are sold more in stores.
• When applying the derm, first clean the tattoo and pat it completely dry with paper towels. Do NOT apply ointment or lotion or the derm will not stick and it can clog your pores. Over the dry tattooed area, apply the derm making sure to press out any air bubbles. Derm can be layered to properly cover the tattoo area.

• This usually happens if too much moisture has built up over the skin from applying too much ointment and clogging your pores. If this happens it will take longer for the tattoo to heal and the area will feel itchy, painful, or irritated. If this happens, clean the area and do not apply anything. Allow the area to air-dry and peel on it’s own. Once the area is less irritated apply a thin layer of mild lotion.

• It is normal for the tattoos to lose some fluid for the first 1-2 days because your skin has been traumatized. You can just blot the excess fluid with a clean paper towel. You will see this especially if you’re healing with the derm bandage. It is okay for there to be fluid in the derm bandage. If it starts to leak excessively from the derm, blot and or change the bandage after cleaning the tattoo.

• Aside from the normal small amount of fluid usually lost in the first 1-2 days, if the fluid appears thick, pus-like or has a smell, it could be infected. Especially if the tattoo has come in contact with any unsanitized surfaces before the peeling stage, usually within the first 1-3 days.
• If you suspect an infection, seek out medical attention immediately to avoid more serious complications. If you are able to please also clean the tattoo. Bactine spray is a helpful product to cleanse, relieve pain, and disinfect.

• Water activities (hot tubs, swimming, submerging your tattoo in water for a long period of time in general, etc), sweat build up, tanning, excessive sun exposure, public/ unclean surfaces or environments, letting the skin get too dry that it scabs, clothing rubbing on your tattoo, pet hair/dander, picking or scratching the tattoo