Tattoo Aftercare

HEALING WITH TEGADERM

THE FIRST 7 DAYS:

  • Leave your Tegaderm bandage on for 7 days, minimum 3 days, if the bandage comes off within the first day, contact us and we can reapply it. After the bandage comes off, move on to the washing and moisturizing steps. 
  • Be careful to not let clothes rub on the bandage and avoid getting water behind it in the shower.
  • Excessive sweating should be avoided as the sweat can pool under the bandage. 
  • It is perfectly normal for ink and plasma to gather underneath the bandage, causing your tattoo to appear distorted or messy (don’t worry, your actual tattoo is safe underneath.) The bandage is breathable and should be left in place unless large bubbles of liquid form and do not dry out.

CONTINUED AFTERCARE:

  • After 7 days gently peel the bandage off. If it feels stuck, get in the shower and let water get behind the bandage to facilitate removal. Once the bandage is removed, a paper thin layer of skin (often containing the tattoo design) will flake off. Some areas of the tattoo may form a scab, do not pick or scratch them! If you do, it can cause ink to come out leaving holes in your tattoo and/or scarring.
  • Wash the tattoo with a gentle, scent free soap duh as Dr Bronners and water. 
  • Moisturize your tattoo once or twice a day (less is more) with an unscented, water based moisturizer such as Keri Lotion or Lubriderm. Do not use any oil based lotions including Vaseline.
  • No hot tubs or swimming for the first two weeks.
  • Do not expose your tattoo to sunlight or artificial tanning for the first six weeks.
  • Touch ups are included at no additional charge for the first 3 months after you receive your tattoo. Exceptions: We are unable to offer free touch ups for hands, feet, and behind the ear. 

 

NO TEGADERM

AFTER THE APPLICATION OF YOUR TATTOO:

  • Leave your bandage on for a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 4, if for any reason you have to take your bandage off, DO NOT put it back on!
  • DO NOT let people touch your new tattoo as it can get infected.
  • Take your bandage off and throw it away. You won’t need a bandage from this point on. 
  • Wash the tattoo with a gentle, scent free soap such as Dr Bronners and water with clean hands and lukewarm water to get any leftover blood or lymphatic fluid off.
  • Gently pat it dry. 
  • Take a photo of it and post it on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/goodformnanaimo

DURING THE NEXT FEW WEEKS:

  • Moisturize your tattoo once or twice a day when your tattoo seems dry (less is more) with an unscented, water based moisturizer such as Keri Lotion or Lubriderm. Do not use any oil based lotions including Vaseline.
  • No hot tubs or swimming for the first two weeks.
  • You will form small scabs in the area of the tattoo, DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH THEM! If you do, it can cause ink to come out, leaving holes in your tattoo as well as scarring. 
  • NO SUN! Do not expose your tattoo to sunlight or artificial tanning for the first six weeks.
  • Clean, loose clothing is ideal. You do not ant anything rubbing or irritating it during the first week especially. This could potentially lead to a longer healing time and possible infection. 
  • Touch ups are included at no additional charge for the first 3 months after you receive your tattoo. Exceptions: We are unable to offer free touch ups for hands, feet, and behind the ear.
ENJOY YOUR NEW TATTOO!!!