So you’ve just got fresh ink and now you’re wondering about tattoo aftercare. You may have many questions. How do I clean my tattoo? What lotion should I use? When will I be cool? Healing a tattoo properly comes down to a cocktail of self-love, patience, consistency, and the occasional willpower to resist an itch.
After the appointment, we’ll wrap you up with SecondSkin or a bandage for tattoos. Then we’ll send you on your way, and the responsibility of taking care of a living, breathing work of art becomes yours.
Using SecondSkin for tattoos can make healing easier and worry-free as it offers a little more protection. If your tattoo is in an area that receives a lot of friction with your clothes or movements, we may recommend SecondSkin to help reduce risk of bumping it or picking any minor scabbing.
You should leave SecondSkin on for 3-5 days. You may experience fluid building up under the bandage, but this is normal and should be expected. If the bandage starts to leak or peel off, remove it. When you remove the bandage, start at the bottom and pull away at a 45-degree angle, instead of a 90-degree angle. The bandage will come off slowly as you do so.
You may decide to use a normal bandage if you have skin allergies or simply prefer it more. Leave the bandage on for at least 4-6 hours, but no longer than 24 hours to prevent any bacteria from entering and allow the blood to clot. Once the tattoo’s initial covering is removed, do not cover it again during the healing process. The tattoo will need to be exposed to open air in order to heal.
Immediately after you remove the SecondSkin or bandage, clean your tattoo. Wash the tattoo gently with clean hands, warm water, and a mild fragrance-free antibacterial soap like Dial Gold. Avoid harsh chemicals like alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. DO NOT use a washcloth! They can be too abrasive and harbor bacteria. While cleaning the area, make sure to remove all traces of blood and plasma. Pat the tattoo dry with a paper towel or air dry it, and be careful not to rub it.
Once your tattoo is clean and dry, cover it with a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion like Lubriderm. Make sure you rub it in and don’t leave a shiny coating over the area. Avoid products like Vaseline or petroleum jelly as they can prolong the healing process and potentially fade your tattoo.
Devil’s Magic by Walter McDonald
Wash your tattoo at least twice a day for the first week. Apply lotion 5-6 times a day for the first 3 days it’s exposed, especially when it feels dry. Keeping it clean and moisturized will help reduce the scabbing and peeling your tattoo experiences, thereby reducing fading.
If you do any physical activity that causes you to sweat, make sure you wash your tattoo immediately after. Do not swim or submerge your tattoo in any body of water like a hot tub, bath, swimming pool, lake, ocean, fountain of youth, etc. for at least 2 weeks after getting tattooed. Chemicals like chlorine or bacteria in the water can cause the tattoo to fade or get an infection while it’s healing.
Avoid tanning for at least 2 weeks after getting tattooed. After 2 weeks, tanning is okay, but be sure to apply a light layer of SPF 25 or higher sunblock to the tattoo. Sunlight WILL FADE the ink, especially brighter colors and black, so try to avoid overexposing your tattoos to the sun.
It’s important to remember that a tattoo is a wound. While it’s healing, you may encounter scabbing and itching. Do not scratch or pick at it! Removing a scab before it naturally falls off can lead to a loss of color in your tattoo.
When you do experience itching, lightly tapping the area or applying lotion can help relieve any discomfort, but the best recommendation we have is to not give in. Deny all earthly desires to relieve the itch. When it comes, close your eyes and go to the beach. Anywhere to get your mind off scratching that itch!
Be mindful of what you’re wearing and what you’re doing while it heals. If possible wear loose clothing and avoid activities that might cause you to rub against the area. For example, we’d recommend abstaining from Brazilian jiu-jitsu for a couple of weeks.
Lady of the Lotus by Walter McDonald
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your artist with any questions during the tattoo healing process. Outside the normal limits of healing, any concerns that your body art has resulted in complications, infections, or disease should be reported to:
Denver Department of Public Health
Public Health Inspection- Body Art
101 W Colfax Ave #800
Denver, CO, 80202
720-865-5401
You may also report to your artist about complications, infections, or diseases. The rules and regulations governing body art establishments and body artists require the body artist to report those conditions to the department within 24 hours of discovery. If you experience any severe or adverse reactions, please contact us or your physician. While we are experienced with healing tattoos, we can’t offer diagnosis or medical treatment. Remember, you paid good money for your tattoo, so it’s your responsibility to take good care of it, and we’re here to help.