aftercare



saniderm: 
if you are given saniderm for your tattoo (the clear bandage sticker) you can wear it for 3-4 days. 

when to remove it early: 
  •  if you notice water has gotten underneath it when showering.
  • if you have sweat a lot throughout the day.
  • if you notice any redness, itching, irritation (less localized to the tattoo and more in the general area of the saniderm).

saniderm is more of a tattoo luxury than a necessity so it’s okay if you need to remove it early! it won’t affect the healing process. 

if the answer is no to what is listed above then you can keep it on during these first few days after being tattooed. the benefit of saniderm is that you can “forget” you had a tattoo and let it heal on its own for a little. 

it is normal to see ink/plasma/fluids underneath the saniderm, these fluids help heal your tattoo.

how to remove:

i personally like removing my saniderm in the shower since the warm water softens the adhesive and makes it easier. lift up a corner of it and pull it towards your skin, not away. think of it like a command strip and not a wax strip—here is a video demonstrating. 

the sticky residue left will wash away with time. if you are bothered by it you can try using antibacterial hand soap to gently wash it away but avoid scrubbing on your tattoo. 

plastic wrap:
if you are given plastic wrap for your tattoo—something i will do if you have previously had a reaction to saniderm or know you have sensitivity to adhesive—then keep this on for the first day after getting tattooed. 

it may be uncomfortable to sleep with so you can remove it and wear clean clothes over it instead. you will have to be more diligent about keeping your tattoo clean since the first three days after getting tattooed have the highest risk of infection.

keeping your tattoo clean:
to keep your tattoo clean wash it about 3 times a day with antibacterial hand soap (i use the gold dial) and pat dry with a fresh paper towel. don’t scrub your tattoo! gently wash it. 

think of it like it’s an open wound. avoid touching it on gym mats, subway seats, ect. no swimming for at least 2 weeks! 

after the first week you can ease off the washing since by that point the top layer of the skin will have healed.

moisturizing: 
start moisturizing once your tattoo has reached the itchy flaky stage. when it does, use a light moisturizer that is not petroleum based. for example: lubiderm, not aquaphor. (petroleum based products are very easy to overdo, which can trap bacteria and not let it breathe.)

moisturize as needed, max 3 times a day, until the flaky stage is over. avoid itching the tattoo, try patting it if you need some relief.

getting good heals:
to have the best healed results and a quality tattoo keep the tattoo out of the sun and avoid strenuous activity while the tattoo is healing. this is because the sun damages the skin and sweat pushes ink out of the skin—which can cause faded and patchy heals. try to avoid causing friction around the tattoo (i.e.: wearing jeans when you got a hip tattoo, wearing a backpack when it’s a shoulder tattoo, itching it, scrubbing it).

healing time:
tattoos will go through different phases in the healing process. sore and weeping —> dry and flaking —> milky and faded —> back to full vibrancy. everyone’s healing time is different but this takes 3-4 weeks in total on average. 

long term care: 
to keep your tattoo looking its best always use sun screen on it when out in the sun and keep it moisturized. in the same way a couch’s color fades when left out in the sun, a tattoo’s color will also fade. 

touch ups:
touch ups are free for life! i want my work looking good out in the world :) if you are thinking your tattoo needs to be touched up send me a message and we can schedule one for you. 

TL;DR:
  1. remove saniderm after 3-4 days if no water or excessive sweat is trapped underneath—if so remove earlier
  2. wash 3 times a day with antibacterial hand soap for the 1st week, avoid scrubbing
  3. moisturize with a light lotion, not aquaphor, avoid itching
  4. avoid friction during healing process (clothing, scrubbing, itching)
  5. don’t go swimming or do anything germ-y for 2-4 weeks
  6. no strenuous exercise/sweating for the 1st week and keep out of the sun 
  7. when healed wear sunscreen and moisturize
  8. touch ups are free! message me.