AFTER CARE
How to heal and care for your tattoo:
At the end of our session, your tattoo will be cleaned with antibacterial soap, then wiped with distilled water
Then, we'll seal your sanitized tattoo in a Recovery Derm Shield adhesive bandage
If you have a sensitivity to adhesives, we'll heal the traditional way with ointment and cling wrap (see below)
Derm Shield Care
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Keep on for 4-5 days
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Avoid sun, soaking, and sweating
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You can take showers with the bandage on
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It's ok for clothes to cover the bandage
Remove the bandage early if:
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the bandage leaks
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the bandage rolls or tears, exposing the tattoo
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your skin feels red/itchy around the edge of the bandage
It's normal to have fluid build up in your bandage.
Some of it will re-absorb in the days following your session.
Removing Derm Shield
Remove the bandage in the shower after 4-5 days
Let warm water run on top of the bandage to soften the adhesive, then peel up enough bandage to grip the bottom of the bandage.
Instead of pulling the bandage up, pull the bandage straight down. Stretch it as far as you can to start slowly releasing the adhesive, like a command strip
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wash your tattoo morning, night, and if it gets dirty
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wash with an unscented antibacterial soap like Dial Gold or an unscented Castile soap like Dr. Bronner's baby soap
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liquid soap only, don't use a bar soap
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use a clean towel or paper towel to pat-dry your tattoo
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moisturize after washing with a thin layer of unscented daily moisturizer e.g: Lubriderm, Cera Ve, Eucerin
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wear loose clothing and sleep on clean sheets
Tattoos will become itchy and flaky as they heal, this is normal. Avoid picking scabs as this can make your tattoo patchy. Applying a thin layer of moisturizer can help.
Keep your tattoo out of the sun and avoid soaking for 2-3 weeks.
Cling Wrap
Remove your cling wrap bandage 3-5 hours after we put it on, no longer than 12 hours. Immediately wash with a Dial Gold or Dr. Bronner's baby soap.
Use a paper towel to pat dry. Gently apply a thin layer of ointment (Aquaphor or Hustle Butter are good options.)
Wash and apply ointment 3-4 times a day for 5 days. When the tattoo becomes flaky switch to an unscented daily moisturizer and follow the post-adhesive bandage care steps.