After Care

Once home, wash the tattoo with warm water & soap. We recommend a plain liquid soap. No fragrance, moisture beads, or scrubs.

Process for washing a fresh tattoo

Make a lather in your hand with soap and warm water. Gently clean your tattoo using a circular motion, until all the ointment, blood, and lymphatic fluid are removed. Rinse the tattoo and wash once again, gently, until the skin is clean. Use a clean paper towel to gently dry your tattoo.

*Important* – Only use CLEAN HANDS to wash your tattoo. No washcloths, bath towels, bath sponges, or loofahs on a fresh tattoo.

Once the tattoo is dry, Apply Aquaphor healing ointment, made by Eucerin. Apply a thin layer and rub it in, then dab excess off with a clean paper towel. Use Aquaphor for the first 2-3 days and then switch to a fragrance-free hand lotion.

Fresh tattoos sometimes “weep” during the first couple days, meaning the plasma and ink form a thin coating on the skin. This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel. Press the paper towel to the skin and remove. Do not wipe the tattoo or be rough with it. Do not panic when you see the colors on your tattoo on the paper towel, or on your hands as you clean your tattoo. This is simply excess ink being sloughed from the surface of your skin.

Once a day, after a shower is usually enough for cleaning a tattoo. Consult your artist if you plan on doing any strenuous activity within the first 10 days of having your tattoo. Lotion may be applied to the tattoo as it dries out, however if your skin is sensitive, lotion may cause acne breakouts. This can be taken care of by reducing the number of lotion applications.

Wear loose, preferably cotton clothing over your fresh tattoo. Your tattoo does not need to be bandaged, except in certain rare instances. A bra strap, tight wristband, sweaty gym shoe, or itchy sweater can potentially create healing problems. Also PET hair and dander on clothes or sheets can be problematic.

After a few days, your tattoo will begin to form flaky scaps that will fall off on their own. DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH your tattoo. Keep it moisturized and the scabs will slough off on their own. Once again they will be the color of the tattoo & normally takes 2-4 weeks for your tattoo to completely heal.