AFTERCARE

•The following is how I found to be the easiest, quickest, and cleanliest way to care for a new tattoo.

Tegaderm in Tattooing

Tegaderm is a transparent medical dressing. It can be used to cover and protect wounds.

•After the tattoo session is complete, Tegaderm will be placed over the entirety of the area.
•The tegaderm bandage may stay on for up to 5 days.

•The bandage is water resistant and will keep the area underneath clean and protected from outside elements.

Do not soak or submerge the bandage in water. It is okay to quickly rinse over the area in the shower.

Reasons to Remove Tegaderm Early

Water Under Bandage
IF YOU NOTICE REDNESS OR BURNING ON TH EOUTSIDE EDGE OF BANDAGE, REMOVE IMMEDIATELY
We don’t want outside bacteria sitting inside the bandage. If water gets underneath it, remove bandage and clean.
Bandage Lifting:The bandage lifting is normal, sometimes you can trim the loose ends and continue wearing it.
If the bandage lifts and a portion of the tattoo is uncovered, we don’t want the tattoo healing at two different rates. Remove the bandage and clean

The First Week

•The first 7 days is when we consider your tattoo to be an open wound (unless scabbing occurs).

•Whether your bandage lasts 5 days or you have to remove it early, this is what youll want to do after bandage removal until you reach 7 days after the tattoo session.

To Do

Clean 2-3 Times Daily
Use antibacterial liquid soap (Dial Antibacterial Hand Soap). Use fingertips to wash tattoo, nothing abrasive like a cloth or luffa.
Moisturize After cleaning and drying. Or when you notice it drying out in between cleaning.

Use Ointment in very small amounts to cover the entire area.

The First Week - After Bandage Removal

Wash your hands before and after handling your healing tattoo!!!!

Massage onto tattoo with fingertips for 30 seconds. Rinse, do not soak your tattoo. Pat dry with dispsosable paper towel. Repeat 2-3 times daily.

Put a small amount of ointment on your finger, dab ointment around tattoo (top, bottom, left, right). Then smear the small amount over the tattoo to completley cover the area. Repeat immediatley after washing, and anytime in-between if it starts drying out.

After the First Week

•Starting on day 8, your tattoo will no longer be considered an open wound, but your skin will be EXTREMELY dry.
•You can expect dry skin for 3-5 weeks starting at this point.
•Your dry skin will heal quicker if you apply lotion more frequently.
•This is the point of the healing process where your tattoo will become VERY itchy. Apply lotion to subdue itchinessAfter the First Week
•You can use any brand of lotion
•Use lotion that is meant for healing dry skin, it will be a thicker consistency and heal your dry skin better than a thinner, every-day lotion.
•Apply lotion to prevent your tattoo from drying out. Anytime you feel your tattoo drying out (getting itchy) apply a generous amount of lotion to the area.
•When using large amounts of lotion, we always suggest washing the area 1-2 times daily to help prevent clogging pores (acne).

Other Risks - Scabbing

Scabbing may occur to a tattoo when the area dries out in the first few days after getting tattooed.

To prevent your tattoo from drying out and scabbing you can either keep the tegaderm on, or keep the area moisturized with aquaphor.

If Scabbing Does Occur:

•Limit Aquaphor use to 1-2 times daily and avoid the scab itself.
•You will want to allow your tattoo to dry out and the scab to naturally fall off to avoid longer healing times and scarring.
•The scabbing area will be considered an open wound until the scab can naturally fall off. make sure you’re keeping the area clean and dry during this time.

Other Risks - Infection

•Infection is always a risk with open wounds, especially to people who may be immuno compromised.
•Keep the area clean and do not submerge/soak tattoo to help prevent infection.