If you suspect for any reason that your tattoo may be infected, contact your doctor at the first sign of infection.  Then, contact your artist so that we may keep a record of the incident.

Keep your new tattoo as clean as possible.

Never touch your new tattoo with dirty hands.  Wash your hands with antibacterial soap, then wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap.  Unscented soap is the best choice to avoid potential allergies.  Always dry your tattoo with clean paper towels, never bath towels or dish towels.  During the first week of tattoo healing, you should be washing your tattoo at least 3 times per day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Moisturize your tattoo lightly as it heals. 

There are many products out there sold and recommended as aftercare cream for tattoos.  Some of these products include Aquaphor, Tattoo Goo, Mad Rabbit, and After Inked.  All of these products are good choices for your healing tattoos.  The most important thing to remember with these creams is to apply them lightly.  After each wash, apply only a very thin layer of aftercare ointment.  Always wash off the old product before applying any more product. After your tattoo is a week old, you can switch to using a body lotion of your choice to moisturize your tattoo.

Keep your new tattoo out of the sun. 

Even minor sun exposure on a fresh tattoo can cause damage to your skin and effect the way your tattoo heals. Keep your tattoo out of the sun for at least two weeks. After that, you should always use sunscreen on your tattoos before going out in the sun to help prevent premature color fading.

Never go swimming with a new tattoo. 

Bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, pools, hot tubs, and bath tubs all have the potential to be cultures of bacteria that can cause serious skin infections.  Even if you are only “going in a little bit” or “keeping your tattoo above the water” you are putting yourself at serious risk.  Don’t risk it.  Avoid swimming for two weeks after getting a new tattoo.

After the first two weeks of tattoo healing, your tattoo will be mostly “healed” but it may not yet be completely smooth in the skin. 

It is normal for there to be some dry raised or bumpy areas on a fresh tattoo.  Moisturizing the skin regularly will help these areas smooth out over time.  Sometimes it can take up to three months for a tattoo to smooth completely.

A regular skin care regiment is essential to keeping your tattoo looking fresh and fabulous.  Once your tattoo is healed, you should be exfoliating your skin in the shower at least once a week with a loofah or scrub, and using a body or tattoo-specific lotion on a daily basis.  Your skin and your tattoos will thank you.

Healing with Saniderm, Tegaderm, RecoveryDerm, or Second Skin:

You just got a new tattoo and your artist used Saniderm on you (meaning they placed a clear adhesive film bandage over your tattoo and the surrounding skin). If this sounds like you, follow these instructions:

1. Leave your bandage on for three to five days.  You do not need to wash the bandage or care for it in any way during this time.  Leave it alone and try not to touch it, pick at the edges, or scratch the area.

2. Within this time, you will notice a build up of blood and plasma underneath the bandage.  It will be black or brown, as the blood in’s mixing with ink from the wound. While it may look gross, this is completely normal. If your bandage starts to leak the fluid out in any amount, remove the bandage and wash the tattoo immediately.

3. If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction to the bandage, remove your bandage immediately.

4. Bandage removal is easiest to do under warm running water.  With clean hands, peel away the bandage slowly.  Do not try to rip it off quickly, as you may damage your skin.

5. Once the bandage is off, wash your tattoo with warm water and unscented, antibacterial soap. Always dry your tattoo with a clean paper towel.

6. For the remainder of the first week of healing, wash your tattoo a minimum of three times per day. After each wash, apply a thin layer of aftercare cream.  Always wash off any old cream before applying more.

7. For the second week of tattoo healing, you can switch to washing your tattoo only once or twice per day, and switch to using a body lotion of your choice to moisturize your tattoo. You can moisturize more frequently as well. Your tattoo will likely itch, and lotion can help alleviate that itch.

Healing without Saniderm, Tegaderm, RecoveryDerm, or Second Skin:

You just got tattooed and your artist did NOT use an adhesive bandage.  There are many reasons for this, namely for tattoos that are very large, particularly bloody, or if the client is allergic to adhesives or latex. Instead, they probably wrapped you in plastic wrap or a gauze bandage. If this sounds like you, follow the instructions below.

1. Leave your bandage on for at least one hour.  Typically you should leave the bandage on until at least you get home and you have access to running water and soap.

2. With clean hands, remove your bandage or wrapping and discard it.

3. Once the bandage is off, wash your tattoo with warm water and unscented, antibacterial soap. Always dry your tattoo with a clean paper towel.

4. For the remainder of the first week of healing, wash your tattoo a minimum of three times per day. After each wash, apply a thin layer of aftercare cream.  Always wash off any old cream before applying more.

5. For the second week of tattoo healing, you can switch to washing your tattoo only once or twice per day, and switch to using a body lotion of your choice to moisturize your tattoo. You can moisturize more frequently as well. Your tattoo will likely itch, and lotion can help alleviate that itch.