Aftercare

Hello! First of all, thank you for your interest in getting tattooed by me! Here are the usual healing methods I recommend to everyone who gets a tattoo from me! Please keep in mind that this is just how I suggest everyone heals my work and that another tattoo artist may have a method they prefer you do to heal their work!

 

Recovery Derm Shield

This is my preferred method of healing, unless someone has had a sensitivity to adhesive or a derm shield in the past. 

I will apply the first derm shield at the end of our appt. This piece stays on for 12-24 hrs. After that time, there is usually some dark liquid underneath the shield. This is very normal and may even leak slightly. When it is ready to come off, you will wash the tattoo and any of the excess ink/ooze off with warm water and an anti-bacterial unscented liquid soap (I recommend Dial Gold or Cerave cleansers). Allow the tattoo to air dry for a few minutes.

You will apply the second piece to the washed, dry skin. The white, paper side comes off, revealing the sticky part. You will press the sticky side of the derm shield onto the center of the tattoo and try to push out any air bubbles to the sides. Take off the plastic patterned side of the derm shield at the creases with the yellow arrows.

This second piece will stay on the tattoo for another 3-4 days, with the tattoo healing underneath. When you take the second piece off, the tattoo may still be a bit flaky/dry so I still recommend using a thin layer of unscented cream lotion (such as Lubriderm or Aveeno) for a few days if needed.

When taking off derm shield, please keep in mind that it is best to do in the shower or while washing with warm water. This makes it much easier and less painful to peel off. You'll want to get ahold of one corner and very slowly peel off the shield.

 

Healing Without a Derm Shield

Just in case you are sensitive to adhesives/derm shield, here are the steps I recommend for healing without one!

In this instance, I will wrap your tattoo in cling wrap. Please wear this for the night if possible, that way you don't run the risk of your new tattoo sticking/drying to sheets or pillows.

The next day, you may take off the wrap and wash off all of the ooze that has accumulated overnight. No need to worry, this is a normal step of the process, especially for the full color tattoos I do.

I recommend washing the tattoo with antibacterial, unscented liquid soap a few times a day- usually morning, noon and night. You can always give it another wash if you have been out and about or sweating/exercising.  

Use unscented cream lotion as needed, when you feel that the tattoo may be a tad too dry. I recommend Lubriderm, Aveeno, or Cerave. I personally do not recommend a thick ointment like A&D or Aquaphor for full color tattoos because these do not absorb well into the skin and just sit on top. This can create extra unnecessary scabbing. 

As always, I recommend resting and elevating the tattoo as much as possible the following day. 

Please don't pick if you do get any scabs/flakes on the tattoo! These are normal occurrences and will just fall off in a few days.

Tattoos can take up to a month to fully heal. 

Please email me if you have any further questions about healing!!

If you think you may need a touch up after a full month of healing, please email me pictures of your tattoo.