How to take care of your new tattoo
Please note: The following are generalized instructions and may vary between different artists. Please follow your specific artists instructions as they will know the most efficient way to take care of your tattoo based on how they work.
Saniderm or Derm Shield
Leave the initial bandage on 4 to 6 days. It is normal to see a bit of pooling under the bandage, this consists of ink and plasma. It will not affect the healing of your tattoo. Please note: in some areas on the body the bandage can cause chafing of your skin along the edges of the bandage. This can be very uncomfortable, and if this happens you may want to remove the bandage early. In the case you remove the bandage early you will want to continue the ointment for the first 3 days. You may want to take the bandage off in the shower using the hot water to help easier release the bandage from your skin. It also helps if you stretch to release the bandage (like taking a command hook off of a wall) rather than pulling it back over itself like a bandaid. Once the bandage is removed; thoroughly wash the tattoo with shower temperature water using just your fingers, and Dial Gold antibacterial hand soap. Do not use any type of washcloth or loofa on your tattoo. After you wash the tattoo let it air dry 15 to 20 minutes. Avoid using any kind of towels on it at least for the first 2 days. After this you may gently pat dry with a paper towel. Once the tattoo is dry, apply a thin layer (finger tip amount) of A&D ointment to the tattooed area. Repeat this process 2 to 3 times a day for the first 2 days. Beginning day 3; continue the same washing process, but switch from a&d ointment to unscented white daily moisture lotion. I recommend Lubriderm Normal to Dry fragrance free lotion. Continue the washing process until the tattoo is fully peeled. Usually this takes 5 to 7 days after the removal of the bandage. After the tattoo peels you can discontinue the washing process. At this point just wash as normal, and apply lotion whenever you feel it's necessary. Avoid submerging the tattoo in water for a minimum of 2 weeks after the bandage is removed. If there is any scabbing, peeling, or flaking left on the tattoo; that means it's not ready to be submerged in water yet. Do not scratch, pick, or peel as this could pull the ink out of the tattoo especially if there is any scabbing present.
Standard Method
Leave the initial bandage on 2-3 hours. Once the bandage is removed; thoroughly wash the tattoo with shower temperature water using just your fingers, and Dial Gold antibacterial hand soap. Do not use any type of washcloth or loofa on your tattoo. After you wash the tattoo let it air dry 15 to 20 minutes. Avoid using any kind of towels on it at least for the first 3 days. After this you may gently pat dry with a paper towel. Once the tattoo is dry, apply a thin layer (finger tip amount) of A&D ointment to the tattooed area. Repeat this process 2 to 3 times a day for the first 3 days. Beginning day 4; continue the same washing process, but switch from a&d ointment to unscented white daily moisture lotion. I recommend Lubriderm Normal to Dry fragrance free lotion. Continue the washing process until the tattoo is fully peeled. Usually this takes 5 to 10 days after the removal of the bandage. After the tattoo peels you can discontinue the washing process. At this point just wash as normal, and apply lotion whenever you feel it's necessary. Avoid submerging the tattoo in water for a minimum of 2 weeks after the bandage is removed. If there is any scabbing, peeling, or flaking left on the tattoo; that means it's not ready to be submerged in water yet. Do not scratch, pick, or peel as this could pull the ink out of the tattoo especially if there is any scabbing present.