Aftercare
Regardless of bandage type, your new tattoo should be fully healed in about 4 weeks. For the best results, new tattoos should receive daily care for the first 2 weeks. During that time:
It’s normal for the tattoo to feel itchy. Do not scratch, peel, or pick at your tattoo; this can pull ink out and cause permanent scarring. Allow your skin to shed and heal on its own.
Do not submerge your fresh tattoo in water (no baths, swimming, hot tubs, etc.) Do still shower!
Do not expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight. Seek shade or wear a loose layer of clothing on top of your tattoo. Do not wear sunscreen on the area for 2 weeks. For the best long term results, apply sunscreen anytime you will be in the sun after the first 2 weeks.
Exercise is okay, but avoid excessive sweating for a few days (hot yoga, sauna, etc.)
Avoid exposing your new tattoo to dirty surfaces (gym equipment, pets, dirt while gardening, etc.)
Healing With Second Skin/ Saniderm/ Tegaderm
Leave the bandage on for 3-5 days, and monitor the area for signs of allergic reaction (irritation and a rash) or that the bandage is compromised. If you are allergic, the edges are pulling up and exposing the tattoo, you find a hole in bandage, water gets inside while showering, or the ink/blood/plasma mixture is leaking out, take it off as soon as you’re able.
When you’re ready to remove your second skin bandage, take a warm shower to help soften the adhesive. Take an edge of the bandage, and stretch it out, close and parallel to your skin (similar to taking a command strip off the wall).
Wash the tattoo with a fragrance free, gentle soap (Dr. Bronners, CeraVe, and Dial are all commonly stocked at Target, Woodman’s, Walgreens, etc.)
Pat the clean tattoo dry with a fresh paper towel, or air dry. Avoid using bath towels, as they can harbor bacteria.
Apply a small amount of fragrance free lotion or natural-ingredient ointment. Make sure not to overdo it; too much product can clog pores and lead to infection. Avoid petroleum products like vaseline.
Keep up a routine of washing and moisturizing twice a day for a week, then once a day for another week.
Traditional Healing / temporary wrap
Remove the wrap after about 3 hours. Do not re-bandage.
Wash the new tattoo with a fragrance free, gentle soap (Dr. Bronners, CeraVe, and Dial are all commonly stocked at Target, Woodman’s, Walgreens, etc.)
Pat the clean tattoo dry with a fresh paper towel, or air dry. Avoid using bath towels, as they can harbor bacteria.
Apply a small amount of tattoo ointment, or fragrance free lotion. Make sure not to overdo it; too much product can clog pores and lead to infection. Avoid petroleum-based products like vaseline.
Keep up a routine of washing and moisturizing twice a day for a week, then once a day for another week. Swap to moisturizing with a lotion after the first few days, if you’ve been using Aquaphor or an ointment.