DAY 1-3

(Dermal Bandage)

The film may be left on your skin for 3 days. There’s a possibility that fluid may build up under the film; that is normal. If your film shows signs of leaking in or out, you may remove it. You can take a shower with the film on, but please be cautious for water seeping in. If there are no complications with the film, you may remove it on the 3rd day and wash your tattoo well with hot water and antibacterial or unscented soap; lather in a circular motion with your hand so that you do not irritate the tattooed skin. Please pat dry your tattoo - do not wipe. Allow a few hours for your skin to breathe then apply a thin coat of A&D ointment, unscented lotion, or ask your artist for recommended moisturizer.

DAY 1

(Normal aftercare routine)

• Remove the plastic wrap 1-3 hours after it has been applied. If you cannot remove the wrap and tape within that time, make sure to remove it before the end of day and WASH THOROUGHLY.

• When washing your tattoo, use an antibacterial soap such as Dial (Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap may be used as an alternative). Lather up with your hands and wash your tattoo thoroughly. Please do not use abrasive materials like a washcloth or loofah during the healing process. When drying your tattoo, pat - do not wipe, and wait until your skin is fully dry or till skin feels taut. Allow some time for your tattoo to be free of moisture and ointment; skin is porous and needs to breathe, so suffocating it can prolong healing, or cause breakouts

• After allowing time for your tattoo to sit and dry, apply a thin layer of ointment to the tattooed skin. We recommend using A&D, but you may use a non scented lotion or ointment such as aquaphor, Eucerin, Cetaphil, or jergens. Or ask your artist for their preferred product. Only a small amount is needed to cover your tattoo with a low sheen. The skin needs to be moistened, to prevent excess scabbing, caused by dry skin, but still be able to breathe. Applying too much can cause the skin to breakout and possibly cause infection.

Day 2-3

REPEAT the cycle of washing, drying, and applying a thin layer of ointment to the tattoo about 1-3 times per day for the first 2-3 days.
During these first few days, it is normal for your tattoo to feel sore and tender. You may also see redness, swelling, and some mild bleeding. Continue with the routine of washing and applying a thin layer of ointment to the tattoo 1-3 times per day, or as needed. Do not worry if your tattoo feels tender or itchy, these are normal processes of healing. Other common side effects from a fresh tattoo are:

• Swelling around ink
• Intense redness
• sometimes slight bleeding
• Peeling that resembles a sunburn
• Flaking

It is very important to protect your tattoo during the healing process. The following are some pro tips to to help your tattoo look its best:

• KEEP YOUR TATTOO CLEAN

• NO DIRECT SUNLIGHT, SAUNAS, JACUZZIS, SWIMMING POOLS, BEACH, OR SOAKING OF ANY KIND until your tattoo is fully healed

• You must keep your tattoo clean. However, long showers and soaking in baths should be avoided until the tattoo is healed. Prolonged soaking can and will lessen scabs if any have formed, or will soak through the soft tissue turning your tattoo into a soggy mess.

• Please refrain from picking or scratching at your tattoo. Scrubbing with a washcloth can be very harsh on a healing tattoo as well, and will cause the colors to fade. Disrupting the tattoo during the healing process can also cause scar tissue to form.

• It is normal for the tattoo to become itchy during the healing process.

• The sun is bad for your tattoo. Whether the tattoo is new or old, if you want it to look nice and heal properly keep it out of the sun. always apply high SPF sunblock to a HEALED tattoo when going into the sun to keep the tattoo looking great for years.