AFTERCARE: How to Heal Your Tattoo

• Keep clear Tegaderm bandage on for a minimum of 3-5 days
• Be most careful during the first ~72 hours of healing, when the skin is still an open wound. 
• During the healing process, the bandage will lightly fill with a mix of remaining ink, blood & plasma rising up from the fresh skin. Oozing of excess ink around the lines & shading is completely normal, and will not affect your tattoo in any way. The natural fluid build up actually helps the body to heal itself, while the bandage keeps your new tattoo protected.
• The bandage is water proof and can be left on in the shower. It will stay on very well in the water, until you make efforts to peel it off. 

REMOVING THE BANDAGE:

• When in the shower, slowly peel off Tegaderm bandage from the top/edges. Allow hot water to run over the bandage as you remove it.
• After removing, lightly wash the entire tattoo with an unscented hand soap (Dial, Softsoap) to remove any excess ink / plasma around your tattoo. 
• Pat dry with clean paper towel & briefly let your tattoo air dry 
• Apply a thin layer of tattoo aftercare (After Inked, Hustle Butter) or unscented lotion (Aveeno, Lubiderm). Moisturizing is key for helping pigment to settle smoothly into the skin.

FOR 2 - 4 WEEKS AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE: 

• Apply aftercare to your tattoo twice a day, in the morning and evenings after lightly cleaning your tattoo. Always make sure that your hands are clean when touching your fresh tattoo. 
• In general, your tattoo will feel mostly healed within 1-2 weeks. It can take up to 4 weeks for a tattoo to fully heal - So remain mindful of your Aftercare routine.