Aftercare

What to Expect After the Tattoo

There are a lot of different things that can go on when healing a tattoo. A lot of it depends on placement, time spent getting tattooed, the technical application of the tattoo, and how your body handles healing wounds and cuts. Below is a general list of what to expect during the healing process.

• Your tattoo may feel like a real bad sunburn
• It may be itchy
• You might have some slight swelling
• There may be some slight ink oozing
• Eventually, your tattoo will start peeling (like a sunburn)
• After all is said and done, you’ll have a really cool tattoo

Back to Top

Aftercare Instructions for “Saniderm”

Your artist may apply a bandage material to your tattoo called “Saniderm” (or “Tegaderm”). Saniderm is a breathable bandage that allows your tattoo to heal without the worry of doing any sort of major maintenance. Saniderm replaced the industry old standard of wrapping tattoos with saran wrap and is much safer to use.

Below are the general instructions for healing and taking care of your tattoo if Saniderm was used to bandage you up. Please note that this is just a general list and instructions may vary based on where your tattoo is placed on your body.

• Try to leave the bandage on for 3-4 days
• Keep the tattoo elevated while sleeping if you can
• Take ibuprofen and apply an icepack if the swelling gets bad
• Try to avoid any strenuous activity while the bandage is on
• If the bandage is peeling up or leaking, just take it off
• Wash gently with white bar soap, no scents
• Apply a thin layer of ointment (A&D, Hustle Butter, or Aquaphor)
• Less is best when applying ointment. Your tattoo should not look wet
• Eventually, your tattoo will start to peel (this is normal!)
• Continue to wash and apply ointment daily until your tattoo is done peeling
• Only use lotion (no scents) after peeling is done

Back to Top

Aftercare Instructions (no “Saniderm”)

If you opted out of using “Saniderm”, have an allergy to medical adhesive, or have found your way here from the wild universe of the internet, fear not! We also decided to put out general instructions for healing your tattoo “the old school way”.

• Leave the bandage on for (at most) 2 hours.
• After you take the bandage off, wash the tattoo with white bar soap (no scents)
• Apply a thin layer of ointment (A&D, Hustle Butter, or Aquaphor)
• Less is best when applying ointment. Your tattoo should not look wet
• Eventually, your tattoo will start to peel (this is normal!)
• Continue to wash and apply ointment daily until your tattoo is done peeling
• Only use lotion (no scents) after peeling is done

Back to Top

When Should You See a Doctor?

We’re not medical professionals, but we have enough knowledge and experience to guide you on how to heal your tattoo. Sometimes things don’t always go according to plan, so if any of the below are happening please go seek medical attention!

• If your tattoo has really gross and nasty looking puss coming out of it
• If your tattoo is bleeding non-stop
• If you’re experiencing nausea/lightheaded/about to faint
• If you’re experiencing extreme pain in the tattooed area

Back to Top