STANDARD Aftercare
INSTRUCTIONS

General rules of aftercare:

Avoid aftercare products with synthetic ingredients, fragrances and dyes
Always wash your hands before cleaning your tattoo or applying ointment/lotion
Don’t soak your tattoo; showering is okay but no baths, pools, jacuzzis, natural bodies of water, saunas, etc
Don’t let your tattoo come into contact with anything that might carry harmful bacteria (pets, children, unwashed bed sheets, dirty environments, etc)
Don’t wear tight-fitting clothing over the tattooed area
Keep your tattoo out of the sun

Days 1–3:

Inflammation is the first stage of the natural healing process. It is normal for the tattooed area to be red, tender, swollen and/or oozing.

Leave the bandage on overnight
In the morning, wash the tattooed area with a mild soap and water
- Pat—do not rub—the tattoo dry with a clean towel
- Don’t re-bandage your tattoo (unless you’re using Saniderm)
Let the tattoo air out for the first 2–3 days (don’t apply any ointment/lotion)
Wash the tattooed area 2–3 times per day
Avoid intense exercise

Days 4–7:

Your skin will begin to repair itself by scabbing over and shedding the dead skin (flaking/peeling). This stage of healing can get itchy but don’t scratch or pick at your tattoo! Leave it alone and allow the dead skin to fall off naturally.

By this point, you should not be experiencing persistent redness, swelling, pain, heat and/or oozing (these are potential signs of infection!)

Continue washing your tattoo 2–3 times per day
Lightly moisturize as needed
- Your skin needs to breathe! Only use enough ointment/lotion to allow the skin to move around comfortably; there shouldn’t be any gooey/sticky excess

By week 2:

New skin will begin to grow over the tattoo and it will appear shiny and wrinkly, like onion skin. The “onion skin” generally settles in a few weeks and can be sped up by moisturizing regularly.

After 2 weeks:

Your tattoo should be about fully healed on the surface but it will continue to heal and settle under the surface for anywhere from 20 days to 2 years.

To keep your tattoos looking nice and bright over time: