Tattoo Aftercare

Please note that there’s no ONE right way to perform tattoo aftercare. These are our studio procedures but each shop and artist has their own preferences based on how they tattoo, their style, technique, etc. You wouldn’t necessarily heal a blackout the same way you’d heal fine line.

Here’s how we do it: After we complete your tattoo, we will typically bandage it with a Recovery Derm which your artist will recommend you leave on for somewhere between 24-72 hours. Blood and excess ink will likely continue to leak into the bandage and may create a puddle under the surface- this is normal and will wipe off when you clean it.

Bandages are typically waterproof. Still, do your best to keep water off of it in the shower and do not submerge it. If water enters the bandage, if it’s falling off or the seal is broken, take the bandage off right away. When you do take it off, wash your tattoo with warm water and a gentle, non-fragrance soap (Dial, Dr. Bronner’s, Baby Soap, etc). Pat it dry with a paper towel and get all of the excess blood/ink off. Cleaning off the excess blood and “goo” really well will prevent scabbing and make for a better heal. Repeat the wash and dry process 1-2 times daily for the first 3-5 days. No lotion or moisturizer in the meantime. Only touch your tattoo with clean, freshly washed hands.

After the 3-5 day mark, it will begin to get dry, flaky and itchy which is normal. Only then, begin using a thin layer of unscented lotion (Lubriderm, Cetaphil, Aveeno, etc) 1-3 times daily for comfort/as needed. Please note, over-moisturizing can cause your tattoo to heal not as crisp or can attract dirt/bacteria, leading to infection. When in doubt, keep it more on the dry side and do not glob on a thick layer of lotion.

Repeat the wash/dry/moisturize process daily. When all flakes fall off and your skin feels smooth again, it is fully healed. It will still likely be shiny and continue to settle for the next couple months so please continue to moisturize and protect it from the sun during this time. That’s it!

Avoid medicated ointments like Neosporin and thick, petroleum-feeling products like Vasoline.
Do not fully submerge your tattoo in bodies of water for the first 3 weeks (baths, swimming) Showers/running water is necessary to clean your tattoo.

Do not pick scabs, peel flakes or scratch– this can pull ink out of your tattoo.

Limit sun exposure. After 2-3 weeks, your tattoo should be mostly healed. Sunscreen should be used once fully healed to prevent aging and discoloration over time– the higher the SPF, the better.

Keep an eye out for continued oozing/redness after the first several days. This may be indicative of infection.

If you have sensitive skin or allergies to adhesive, please let your artist know so we can use an alternative bandaging method instead of Recovery Derm.

Quick Summary:

  1. Remove the bandage after 1-3 days, unless bandage becomes compromised.

  2. Wash with warm water and a gentle soap until it stops feeling “slimy”

  3. Pat dry. Repeat daily. (That’s it for the first few days).

  4. Then, start adding a moisturizer to this routine when it becomes scabby/flakey (about 3-5+ days in)

  5. Repeat this wash/dry/moisturize process daily until your tattoo has fully peeled and feels like smooth/normal skin. After 3 weeks, it should be fully healed!