You will be sent home after your appointment with a bandage taped over the tattoo. Remove this bandage after 1-2 hours. Carefully wash off any ink or plasma with clean hands using unscented antibacterial soap and gently pat dry with a clean paper towel. Apply a small amount of aftercare ointment (Aquaphor, Hustle Butter, etc.) and rub it in completely. Do not leave a thick coating on the skin’s surface. A little goes a long way, and your skin needs to be able to breathe! If you have sensitive skin, you may stick to using unscented lotion instead of heavier ointments.

For the first week, wash the tattoo and reapply ointment 3-5 times a day. Reduce this amount to 2-3 times a day for the second and third week.

Once the tattoo starts to flake and peel, you can switch to an unscented water-based lotion (Lubriderm, Cetaphil, etc.) instead of ointment. Your tattoo will likely start to itch during this stage - resist the urge to scratch!

You will be sent home with a Recovery Derm Shield clear bandage covering your new tattoo to form a "second skin" protective barrier. This aftercare method doesn't require as much attention as standard aftercare, but it's important to keep an eye on how your skin looks while it is applied to avoid any complications!

The bandage may fill up with a mixture of plasma and ink (an "ink sack") but this is a normal part of the healing process. If the ink sack starts to leak, this means the seal of the bandage has been broken and it needs to be removed to prevent any germs or bacteria from getting trapped underneath. Wash the tattoo with unscented antibacterial soap, pat dry with a paper towel, and switch to standard aftercare.

After 3-5 days, it's time to remove the bandage. Take a warm shower to loosen the adhesive, and begin stretching the edge of the bandage parallel to the skin (similar to a command strip) while holding the tattoo under the stream of water. Gently wash the skin with unscented soap and warm water to remove any ink/plasma or adhesive residue, then gently pat dry with a clean paper towel and apply a thin layer of unscented lotion.

Wash the area 2-3 times a day and reapply lotion as needed until the tattoo is fully healed.

If at any point you experience redness, swelling, bumps, or other irritation around the borders of your second skin bandage, you may be having an allergic reaction to the adhesive. If this occurs you should promptly remove the bandage and switch to standard aftercare.

Avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Your skin is fragile and extra prone to damage from the sun while your tattoo heals. After healing, always apply sunscreen to help prevent any discoloration or fading of your tattoo.

Avoid working out for at least 48 hours for standard healing OR until after your second skin bandage has been removed. Excess friction or trapped sweat around the tattoo can increase your risk of infection or ink rejection.

Do not soak your tattoo. This means no baths, beaches, lakes, or swimming pools for at least 2 weeks. A quick rinse in the shower is fine!

Keep it clean. Don’t touch your tattoo with unwashed hands and keep it away from pets who might try to lick it. Your tattoo is an open wound and it’s important to protect it from potential infection.

Do not pick, scratch, or peel any scabs or flaking skin! This may cause scarring or pull the ink out of your skin. If your tattoo gets itchy, apply a thin layer of lotion or try placing an ice pack wrapped in a clean towel on it for 10 minutes to soothe the skin.

Avoid wearing tight clothing or abrasive fabrics over the tattoo. Wearing loose fitting, soft clothing will protect your tattoo from unsanitary surfaces without causing any unnecessary irritation to your tattoo while it heals.