Aftercare Instructions

Recovery Derm/Saniderm

After the tattoo has been cleaned and a breathable, adhesive bandage (Recovery Derm/Saniderm) has been applied, leave on for 72-96 hours (3-4 days). The bandage may fill up with plasma that is stained by small amounts of ink. This looks like a brown/black fluid. This is normal. If the bandage leaks, slowly push fluid out of the leak point. Wash the area with a liquid antibacterial soap, pat dry with a clean paper towel and let air dry for 10-15 minutes. Patch the leak with a new piece of adhesive bandage or tape. When it’s time for the bandage to come off, remove the bandage in the shower. Warm water will soften the bandage for removal.

Gently clean away any mess (plasma, fluid, etc) and pat dry with a clean paper towel. After removal, leave tattoo exposed. Apply an intensive care, fragrance free, dry skin lotion (example: Lubriderm) as needed. Wash the tattoo gently 3 times throughout the day, making sure it stays clean. If the bandage comes off early refer to the Conventional Healing instructions.

Conventional Healing Instructions

Remove the bandage after 2 hours, but no more than 12. Don’t remove the bandage until you can properly clean the tattoo with mild soap and warm water. Rinse it well, cleaning off any plasma or slimy buildup. Gently pat it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel (never re-use a towel as it will hold bacteria) then allow it to air-dry for 15 minutes before applying ointment.

Apply Aquaphor ointment or a specialty tattoo-healing product to the tattoo as needed, massaging a very small amount into the skin to keep the tattoo slightly moist, but NOT smothered. Use just enough ointment to make the tattoo slightly shiny, and blot off any excess.

For the first few days treat your tattoo like the open wound it is. Clean it 2-3 times daily, or more often if the area gets sweaty or dirty, and then apply ointment as needed. Ensure that extra moisture doesn't get trapped under the ointment, by blotting and air-drying after each washing. Only apply ointment for as long as it takes for your tattoo to peel, usually 3-4 days. When the peeling begins, the tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn. At this point simply keep the tattoo clean, and begin to use a scent free, dye free lotion as needed. Always let the tattoo dry out completely before applying more lotion.

The healing tattoo should never stay submerged in water. Therefore, limit yourself to only short showers until the tattoo has finished peeling. It’s also important that a fresh tattoo be protected from the sun and dirty environments. All normal activities involving water or sun exposure can usually be resumed after 10-14 days, when the tattooed skin feels normal.

NEVER pick at the cracked and flaking skin. The area will become dry and itchy, and a good quality, fragrance-free lotion can now be used until the skin returns to its normal texture.

Any time your tattoo is exposed to the sun after it’s done healing you should use a minimum of SPF 45 sunblock.

For at least two weeks, minimize exposure to the sun and discourage swimming in fresh, salt or chlorinated water. Apply antibiotic ointment or cream.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by sending me a quick e-mail or calling me directly 817-966-4975.

The client shall consult a health care practitioner at the first sign of infection or an allergic reaction, and report any diagnosed infection, allergic reaction or adverse reaction resulting from the tattoo to the artist and to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Tattoo and Body Piercing Program at (512)834-6711.