Aftercare

Aftercare

Taking Care of Your Tattoo (So It Heals Clean and Looks Mean)

Your new tattoo is basically a fresh, beautiful wound with expensive ink in it — treat it right and it’ll heal smooth, settle bold, and look crispy for years. Treat it like garbage and it’ll heal like garbage. Simple.

If your artist gave you specific instructions, follow those first (different placements and methods can change things).

First Steps: The First 1–2 Hours

This part sets the tone for the whole heal.

1) Leave the bandage alone for a bit

Keep your bandage on for the first couple hours (or whatever your artist told you). It’s there to protect your tattoo from bacteria, friction, and the outside world trying to ruin your life.

2) Clean hands only

Before you touch your tattoo: wash your hands. Every time. No exceptions. Don’t be the person who heals a sick tattoo because they grabbed it with “gas station fingers.”

3) Remove the bandage carefully

When it’s time, peel it off gently. If it sticks a little, don’t panic — a little lukewarm water can help loosen it.

Daily Care: First Few Days (And Through The Peel)

You’re going to do the same simple routine for the first week or two.

Step 1: Wash it (gently)

• Use lukewarm water and a mild, unscented antibacterial liquid soap.
• Use your hands only — no washcloths, loofahs, or scrubby stuff.
• Wash off any plasma, excess ointment, and whatever your body is pushing out while healing.

Step 2: Dry it (don’t rub it)

• Pat it dry with a clean paper towel.
• No bath towels. They hold bacteria and lint, and your tattoo doesn’t need either.

Step 3: Moisturize it (lightly)

• Apply a very thin layer of a recommended tattoo ointment or a fragrance-free unscented lotion.
• If your tattoo looks greasy or shiny, you used too much. Wipe a little off.
• Your goal is “hydrated,” not “slathered like a Thanksgiving turkey.”

How often?

Wash + moisturize 1–2 times daily, or whatever your artist recommends. More isn’t always better — over-washing and over-moisturizing can irritate it and slow healing.

What To Expect While Healing

A normal heal usually includes:

• Redness and tenderness for the first day or two
• Dryness and tightness as it starts to calm down
• Peeling/flaking like a sunburn (totally normal)
• Light scabbing in certain areas (also normal)

What you don’t want is thick heavy scabs from drowning it in ointment or scraping it up.

Avoid This Stuff While It Heals (Seriously)

These are the biggest ways people mess up a good tattoo:

No soaking for at least 2 weeks

That means:

• baths
• pools
• hot tubs
• lakes/rivers
• saunas

Quick showers are fine. Just don’t let it sit underwater.

No direct sun

Fresh tattoos and UV rays do not get along. Keep it covered or shaded while healing. Sun exposure can irritate it and cause fading early.

Don’t pick, scratch, or peel it

Yes, it’s going to itch. No, you cannot “help” it.

Picking scabs or peeling flakes can pull ink out and leave patchy spots.

Avoid tight or abrasive clothing

If it’s rubbing, sticking, or trapping sweat — it’s not helping. Loose and breathable wins.

Skip petroleum-heavy and scented products

Avoid:

• Vaseline / 100% petroleum jelly
• heavily scented lotions
• products with dyes or alcohol

Those can clog the skin, irritate it, and mess with healing.

Long-Term Care (How To Keep It Looking Fresh)

Once it’s fully healed:

Sunscreen is non-negotiable

Use a high SPF anytime that tattoo sees sunlight. UV rays fade tattoos faster than anything.

Moisturize like a normal human

Healthy skin = better-looking tattoo. Dry cracked skin makes tattoos look dull. Simple.

When To Reach Out

Hit us up if something feels off. Especially if you notice:

• spreading redness after a couple days
• increasing warmth or swelling
• pus-like discharge
• fever or intense pain
• heavy scabbing that seems abnormal

We’d rather answer a quick question than have you stress (or guess wrong).

Saniderm / Second Skin Aftercare

If Your Tattoo Was Covered With Saniderm (Read This Part)

Saniderm (also called Second Skin, Derm Shield, etc.) is a medical-grade adhesive bandage that protects your tattoo while it starts healing. It seals out bacteria, keeps moisture balanced, and lets your body do its thing without outside interference.

It’s normal for fluid, ink, and plasma to collect under it — it might look gnarly, like a little ink lava lamp under your skin. That’s not infection. That’s healing.

While the Saniderm Is On

Leave it on for the time your artist recommended — usually anywhere from 24 hours up to 3–5 days, depending on the piece and placement.

Things that are normal:

• A bubble of fluid under the bandage
• Wrinkling or looseness around the edges
• Mild redness where the adhesive touches the skin
• Itching underneath (yes, we know… still don’t peel it)

Things that are NOT normal:

• Burning pain under the bandage
• Rash spreading beyond the adhesive
• Thick yellow/green discharge
• Fever or feeling sick

If any of that happens, remove it and reach out to us.

If the Saniderm Starts Leaking or Peels Up Early

If the bandage leaks, fills up, or comes loose before 24 hours, do this:

1. Remove it completely
2. Wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and unscented antibacterial soap
3. Pat dry with a clean paper towel
4. Either:
    
   • Apply a new Saniderm bandage (if you were given one and know how), or
   • Switch to the standard aftercare routine listed above

A leaking bandage means it’s no longer sealed — and sealed is the whole point.

How to Remove Saniderm (Without Ripping Your Soul Out)

Do not yank it straight up.

The right way:

• Remove it in the shower or under warm running water
• Slowly peel it back over itself, low and flat against the skin — not straight away from your body
• Take your time. It’s not a race.

Once it’s off:

1. Wash the tattoo gently
2. Pat dry
3. Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion
4. Switch to the normal aftercare routine

After Saniderm Comes Off

From this point on, your tattoo will probably:

• Feel dry and tight
• Start flaking lightly over the next few days

That’s normal. Just follow the wash + light moisturize routine and let it do its thing.

A Few Saniderm Do’s & Don’ts

DO:

• Keep it clean and dry
• Wear loose clothing over it
• Let it breathe after removal

DON’T:

• Re-apply a used piece
• Pop fluid bubbles under it
• Soak it in water
• Use lotions or ointments while it’s still on

Bottom Line

Saniderm is basically a cheat code for healing — but only if you leave it alone and use it right.

Protect it. Don’t mess with it. Don’t panic when it looks weird. And when in doubt, text or call the shop before you do something irreversible.