Mike’s Suggested Aftercare

Leave your bandage on overnight. If needed, you can leave it on for up to 24 hours. It can help to loosen the tape if you take it off under warm to hot running water.

Wash your tattoo gently and thoroughly with a mild liquid soap under warm to hot water. Air dry or pat dry with a clean towel. Apply a very thin layer of Aquaphor or A&D ointment (these are readily available at any major pharmacy). Whichever you choose to use, apply very sparingly.  Only use enough to be able to spread over tattoo.  Using too much may lead to clogged pores which will cause you to break out.

After several minutes, if the tattoo still seems shiny or greasy, dab off any excess ointment with a clean paper towel. Make sure to wash the tattoo every time before you reapply ointment.

Wash your tattoo 4-5 times per day for the first three to four days. Around this time, the tattoo will get dry and begin to peel. When this happens, switch to a sensitive skin, non-scented lotion (ie Lubriderm, Curel) and moisturize as needed.

Most of the healing will occur within the first 1 to 2 weeks. Tattoos generally take about 1 month to fully heal and for your skin to return to normal. If you find that you need a touch up, you will want to wait at least 1 month but no longer than one year.

Don’ts:

Don’t submerge your tattoo in any standing water for 2 weeks (ie pools, hot tubs, bath tubs, lakes etc.). 

Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight as much as possible for 2 weeks.  Wearing sunblock on it in the future will prolong the life of your tattoo.

Don’t pick or scratch at your tattoo.  If it’s itching, you can relieve it by gently slapping it.  This will help you avoid pulling up any healing skin.

If at any point you experience symptoms of infection, please contact your health care provider.