The process of getting a tattoo results in small traumas to the skin being worked on. We must treat this skin with care, as it is considered a wound from now until it is healed in 3-4 weeks

Open wounds are most vulnerable to bacteria and other outside factors in the 12 hours after the initial trauma. At this time your skin cells are working hard producing plasma to fill the wounded areas of your skin. This plasma provides important proteins to heal the skin, but like most biological material, the plasma will start to go rancid if not sustained at freezing levels. In other words, if you leave your tattoo sitting in a pool of your plasma for too long, it will eventually irritate and in some cases, possibly infection. Plasma starts turning rancid around 18 hours post-tattoo. 

Your tattoo must stay covered between 12-18 hours after being tattooed. 

How does the healing process work?

What type of bandage will I receive

At the very end of your tattoo appointment, we will thoroughly clean and cover your tattoo with 1 of 2 types of protective bandage: 

Saniderm, also known as Second Skin 

• Saniderm is a medical-grade waterproof, flexible film that covers your tattoo. This form of bandage is best for small tattoos with minimal-average ink saturation. Saniderm uses a skin-safe adhesive to stay on the body. If you are known to have reactions like redness, rash, itching, or irritation caused by other skin adhesives such as band-aids or athletic/medical tape, please let us know and we will use another option. 

• To remove your Saniderm bandage, please do so slowly, under warm running water. 

Tattoo Armor

• Tattoo armor is an absorbent pad that covers your tattoo. This bandage does not require an adhesive to touch the skin, protects the skin from outside bacteria, and absorbs excess plasma. Tattoo Armor is best for tattoos with large areas or saturated tattoo ink, or those with skin adhesive allergies.  This bandage is not waterproof. Your artist will supply you with clean replacement bandages and instructions on re-application when you shower.

How do I care for my tattoo

The morning after your tattoo appointment remove your given bandage. 

• Step 1: Gently wash your tattoo with unscented antibacterial Dial soap provided in your care package. After, rinse your tattoo off with cold water. Do not use any exfoliator, terry cloth towel, or loofah. 

• Step 2: Pat dry your tattoo with a clean towel or dry disposable paper towel. 

• Step 3: Moisturize your tattoo with a thin, even layer of Lubriderm water-based moisturizer provided in your care package. 

Continue each step twice a day during weeks 1-2, and once a day weeks 3-4.

During the healing process

Exercise: Please refrain from heavy exercise one week after being tattooed. This includes, but it is not limited to: weight lifting, long-distance running, or high-impact sports. Constant flex and release of the muscle can cause ink to spread or be expelled from the body during the first week after your tattoo.

Sun exposure: Keep your tattoo out of the sun and covered by clothing at all times 1 month after being tattooed. 1 week after being tattooed you may apply SPF if and when you will be in the sun. 

Swimming: please do not go swimming/ soaking yourself in ANY body of water. This includes but is not limited to pools, baths, lakes, oceans, spas, saunas, rivers, etc. 

please consider

What to expect during your healing

Weeks 1-2: The Shedding Stage 

The first few days after your tattoo, it is normal to experience residual soreness, redness, and/or swelling. Afterward, your skin will peel/shed off the external layer of skin. Refrain from peeling the skin yourself to avoid any unnecessary scarring. Everything will happen on its own.

Weeks 3-4: The New Skin Stage

After the outer layer of your skin has shed, you will have new fresh skin exposed. This skin is still very fragile, please continue your regimen of washing and moisturizing your tattoo once a day to strengthen the skin resulting in a gorgeously healed tattoo.