Congrats on your new tattoo!

Think the tattoo process is over now? Think again.

Optimum care for your tattoo is integral to its healing.

Follow these aftercare steps to ensure your tattoo heals well.

There are two ways you go about your aftercare..

Your tattoo artist will most likely wrap your new tattoo in a ‘second skin’ product. We highly recommend healing your tattoo this way and have seen great results from our clients.

If you need extra adhesive, you can purchase Saniderm as most pharmacies, or ask your artist for extra sheets.

Please don’t hesitate to contact your artist if you have any questions.

Visit Saniderm website here

If you’re more into the old fashion way of healing your tattoos, then we recommend the following:

  • Leave your bandage/wrap on for a minimum of 1 hour and no longer than 4 or 5 hours (we would rather you left it on longer as opposed to washing it in a dirty bar bathroom). DO NOT REBANDAGE unless previously recommended by us.

    • After you take the bandage off, wash thoroughly with hot water and preferably a mild, liquid, UNSCENTED, antibacterial soap (e.g. dial, equate, etc...)

    • Pat dry with a clean paper towel and let air dry for one hour or more before applying aftercare cream.

    • Apply a thin layer of aftercare cream (Bepanthan, Dr. Pickles, cocoa butter/shea butter, etc) and massage into the skin to the point where it just barely looks moist.

    Do not apply A&D ointment.

    If using lotion, make sure the product is labelled “FRAGRANCE FREE”, otherwise there may be a small amount of chemical additive to make it smell just a little better, — as well as containing alcohol — that is what will irritate and dry out the tattoo. Porentially leading in it healing badly.

    • Repeat cleaning process 1-2 times a day (or just after you shower/bathe)

    • apply aftercare cream to your tattoo after washing

    THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF HEALING YOUR TATTOO IS KEEPING IT CLEAN WITH SOAP AND WATER!

    It is a mere matter of common sense. If you are out and about, working, or getting dirty, wash it more than if you are sitting on the couch watching Scooby Doo re-runs.

    • Again, only use fragrance free soap, and lukewarm water (not hot!)

    • Repeat this process for a week or two depending on the how the tattoo looks. It will peel like sunburn after a few days (it is totally normal to see colored flakes of skin shedding).

    • If it does scab in a few areas this is nothing to worry about, just let them fall off on their own.

    DO NOT SCRATCH OR PICK AT SCABS and do NOT over-saturate in the shower. This could soften them up too much and cause them to come off prematurely which will leave blank spots in the tattoo that will need touching up.

  • During the healing process:

    • NO SUN EXPOSURE

    • NO SWIMMING POOLS

    • NO JACUZZIS

    • NO OCEAN

    • NO SOAKING IN WATER OF ANY KIND!

    • NO TIGHT CLOTHING

    • NO PETS NEAR FRESH TATTOO

    • DON’T LET PEOPLE TOUCH THE TATTOO

    Submerging your tattoo WILL make your tattoo fade fast, heal poorly and greatly increases the risk of infection. Limit showers to 10 minutes.

    A sunburn will make your tattoo heal poorly. Do not put sunscreen on in the healing process, keep the tattoo covered by loose clothing (pants/longsleeve shirt)

  • THE BETTER YOU TAKE CARE OF THE SKIN THE BETTER THE TATTOO LOOKS UNDERNEATH

    Think of it this way, you are looking THROUGH the skin at the ink underneath much like a picture in a frame with glass over it. The better you take care of the glass/skin the better the picture/tattoo looks underneath.

    • moisturise regularly after showering/bathing.

    • wear sunscreen daily (you should do this anyways, but ESPECIALLY with tattoos!).

    • avoid knife fights.

    After you are all healed (usually around the 2 week mark) swing by and say hi to your artist! That way we can give it a good looking over and get a nice healed portfolio picture.

  • What's the point if you don't show it off? We love seeing our art out in the real world and would love for you to tag us in your pics on Instagram.