Caring For Your New Tattoo
First Day
Leave the SkinLock bandage on for 3 hours minimum to 24 hours maximum. Or leave the Tatuderm Bandage on for 3-5 days. (Artist will tell you which bandage you have on) When the bandage is removed, the goal is to remove any dried blood, plasma, residual ink stains or ointments from the area without causing more damage to the skin. Your tattoo is an open wound at this stage and must be kept clean. The care your new ink receives in these critical first days is what makes the difference between a fast heal and one that will scab for two weeks.
Care Instructions
Always Follow All Steps
1. WASH YOUR HANDS
2. Gently wash the tattoo with unscented soap and warm water until the area is free from the SkinLock, blood, plasma, ink etc.
3. Rinse with cold water and pat dry with clean paper towel
4. DO NOT APPLY ANYTHING for the next 24 hours.
2. Gently wash the tattoo with unscented soap and warm water until the area is free from the SkinLock, blood, plasma, ink etc.
3. Rinse with cold water and pat dry with clean paper towel
4. DO NOT APPLY ANYTHING for the next 24 hours.
Day 2 and On
Complete steps 1-3 once a day for the next 6 days.
Allow the area to air dry for 10 minutes and then apply a thin layer of unscented moisturizing lotion. (unscented lotion not cream or body butter). We recommend using Aveeno Daily Moisture Lotion or Coconut oil.
Around day 4 you should notice the skin starting to peel. At this point only apply lotion when the tattoo is tight or itchy. The peeling process can take another 7 to 10 days.
Allow the area to air dry for 10 minutes and then apply a thin layer of unscented moisturizing lotion. (unscented lotion not cream or body butter). We recommend using Aveeno Daily Moisture Lotion or Coconut oil.
Around day 4 you should notice the skin starting to peel. At this point only apply lotion when the tattoo is tight or itchy. The peeling process can take another 7 to 10 days.
Common Questions
Q: Can I take a bath with my new tattoo?
A: Never soak tattoo while it is healing. Other than following the care instructions given keep tattoo out of water. This means no swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs etc. until the tattoo has no scabbing or flaking left.
Q: Can I go tanning while my tattoo is healing?
A: Always keep new tattoo out of the sun and tanning beds as the can slow healing and mute colour. Even after your tattoo is healed you should always put sunscreen on to protect your skin and prevent fading.
Q: How long after getting a tattoo can you go swimming?
A: Healing time of a tattoo can vary depending on the person and location of the tattoo. The average healing time is 2-4 weeks and during that time you should stay out of pools as chlorine will lighten the tattoo.
Q: How often should I clean my tattoo?
A: Follow your care instructions when it comes to cleaning a new tattoo. However, if your tattoo comes into contact with any foreign bodily fluids or other substances clean the tattooed area right away.
Q: What can I do to get rid of the itchiness when a tattoo is healing?
A: Never pick or scratch new tattoos. If you find the area to be itchy you can gently and carefully slap it.
Q: What if my tattoo doesn't heal as well as I want it too or look the way I wanted to?
A: Touch up work will be done at no additional cost, provided the healing instructions were followed correctly. Keeping in mind that not all tattoo designs will look exactly as a picture does.
A: Never soak tattoo while it is healing. Other than following the care instructions given keep tattoo out of water. This means no swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs etc. until the tattoo has no scabbing or flaking left.
Q: Can I go tanning while my tattoo is healing?
A: Always keep new tattoo out of the sun and tanning beds as the can slow healing and mute colour. Even after your tattoo is healed you should always put sunscreen on to protect your skin and prevent fading.
Q: How long after getting a tattoo can you go swimming?
A: Healing time of a tattoo can vary depending on the person and location of the tattoo. The average healing time is 2-4 weeks and during that time you should stay out of pools as chlorine will lighten the tattoo.
Q: How often should I clean my tattoo?
A: Follow your care instructions when it comes to cleaning a new tattoo. However, if your tattoo comes into contact with any foreign bodily fluids or other substances clean the tattooed area right away.
Q: What can I do to get rid of the itchiness when a tattoo is healing?
A: Never pick or scratch new tattoos. If you find the area to be itchy you can gently and carefully slap it.
Q: What if my tattoo doesn't heal as well as I want it too or look the way I wanted to?
A: Touch up work will be done at no additional cost, provided the healing instructions were followed correctly. Keeping in mind that not all tattoo designs will look exactly as a picture does.
