healing your new tattoo

RecoveryDerm/Saniderm Healing

• Leave the wrap on for 2-3 days. If you have more at home, you can replace the wrap every 24 hours, this is typically recommended by the wrap companies. This step is not necessary but does help keep your tattoo cleaner.

• When you are ready to remove the wrap, doing so under lukewarm water, or in the shower tends to work best - the steam and warm water will help loosen the adhesive seal and remove easier than dry peeling it off.

• After your wrap is removed, let your tattoo air out for about 10-15 minutes before applying a small amount of lotion or tattoo balm to your fresh tattoo!
  Use a non-scented & dye-free lotion/balm when healing your tattoo. You can use products as widely available as Lubriderm, Dove’s non-scented white lotion, or you can use tattoo specific products such as MadRabbit, CryBaby or HustleButter.

• It’s very important not to oversaturate your tattoo with ointment, lotion or balm as this can cause the pores to suffocate and prevent proper healing. Be sure to find the right balance of letting the tattoo breathe and keeping it moisturized!

• Black and Grey tattoos typically heal a bit faster than fully saturated color tattoos. Be prepare to have your color pieces scab a bit more and have flakes come off of the tattoo. This is normal! Just be sure not to pick at any scabs as this will pull the pigment from the skin & can cause infection.

• Your tattoo should be fully healed between 2-3 weeks. During this time, be sure to avoid saunas, hot tubs, pools, lakes, beaches, harsh sunlight, tight clothing, and any environments that would potentially irritate your open tattoo.

Standard/Traditional Healing

• If saran wrapped with soaker pads, you can leave it on overnight as the soaker pads will help absorb any plasma or ink your body dispels. Do not leave this wrap on for more than a day. Saran wrap is not a breathable material so it is not recommended to be left on the tattoo for a prolonged period of time.

• Once the wrap is removed, clean the tattoo with a non-scented, dye-free antibacterial soap. Dial clear soap is typically available at most pharmacies and grocery stores. There are also tattoo specific brands such as MadRabbit, HustleButter & RecoveryDerm that also make soaps for tattoo healing.

• Once the tattoo is clean, let it air out for a few minutes ,or you can pat dry (not wipe or rub) with a paper towel (do not use cloth towels as the fabric fibers can get stuck in the tattoo and cause infection). Then you can apply your tattoo aftercare.

• People have varying preferences for what they like to use during the healing process. We never recommend A&D or Vaseline as these are thick, petroleum based ointments that can clog the pores and prevent the tattoo from breathing & prolonging the healing process. Instead we recommend using a very sparing amount of Aquaphor, Crybaby ointment, Hustlebutter, or any tattoo-specific butters/aftercare, as these tend to have a less oily feel and are safer to use on your new tattoo!

• Clean your new tattoo no more than 2-3x a day repeating this process. Allow scabs to form and fall off naturally. Picking at the scabs will pull out pigment and cause the tattoo to “fall out”. Additionally, keep your tattoo in an environment that will allow for clean healing. Stay out of pools, lakes, saunas, hot tubs, dusty fields, beaches, etc. Be sure the tattoo is not in direct sun.
  

  How to Care for Your Tattoo Once it’s Fully Healed

  Even after the scabs have fallen off and your skin returns to its normal texture, it is important to remember that there are things still healing in your skin’s dermis on a cellular level up to SIX months after you’ve been tattooed! Getting a fresh color piece and then spending several hours in direct sun on the beach will 100% be the same as sticking your tattoo under a giant laser - lightening and dulling the colors and vibrancy of the piece! It’s important to protect your new tattoo for the next 6 months upon having the work done.