tattoo Aftercare

Inspect the tattoo site at least once a day without removing the dressing. Tegaderm dressing can be left in place for up to 7 days. Change the dressing if:

- Ink or blood leaks out;

- It is no longer sticking to the skin where the tattoo is;

- There are holes in it;

- The skin around the dressing is red and itchy.

It is normal for fluid to appear under the Tegaderm dressing. However, a strong odour is a sign of possible infection and should be reported to your healthcare provider.

The easiest way to remove Tegaderm is in a warm shower. Start by allowing the water to spray gently on the skin to help loosen the adhesive. Then, with one hand stabilizing the skin next to the dressing, slowly pull down and away from the skin. As the dressing is removed, continue moving the stabilizing hand to support the newly exposed skin.

If you are having trouble removing the second skin, let more water run on it for a few minutes and then continue to pull it away

Your dressing can be removed anywhere from 1-4 hours after the appointment. Do not leave the dressing on overnight. Once it has been removed, follow Basic Tattoo Care instructions below.

After removing your bandage, you should gently wash your new tattoo with fragrance-free antibacterial soap & hot water. Let it air dry, or pat-dry with a clean paper towel. Proceed to wash the tattoo twice a day for up to 14 days, or until the area is no longer flaky or shiny.

Do not moisturize your tattoo within the first 48 hours of the appointment. Only moisturize after 2 days if the tattoo is itchy, uncomfortable, or dry. Stick to unscented lotions. Do not moisturize more than twice a day. Use a small amount of unscented lotion to moisturize. Vaseline and Aquaphor are NOT recommended.

Over the first month or so, your skin is going to be extremely sensitive to sunlight and UV rays. You MUST keep the tattoo out of the sun until healing is complete. You will require touch-ups if the tattoo is exposed to direct sunlight before it has completely healed.

Sunscreen is a bad idea during this healing phase as the ingredients included in most sunscreens and creams will be too harsh for the sensitive area. It could cause irritation and other unwanted side effects, including prolonged healing times. After the tattoo has completely healed, you should be able to apply sunscreen to the area. It’s recommended to wait at least 3-4 weeks.

During this two-week healing process, you will also want to avoid prolonged water contact. Yes, of course, you can shower, and washing your tattoo a few times a day is encouraged - but you shouldn't submerge your tattoo in baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, or salt water. Standing water = unhealthy bacteria & irritants. Icky! You'll want to avoid all of that during your first 2-3 weeks with a tattoo.

Peeling is a normal part of the tattoo healing process. DO NOT PICK THE SKIN. Don't scratch it either. Peeling skin will typically be the same color as the pigment that was used in the tattoo. If you pick or scratch your scab, you risk pulling out the color or causing hypertrophic scarring. Let the tattoo heal by itself.

A skin infection may be present if you experience any of the following symptoms a few days to a week after having a tattoo:

Increased pain, swelling, redness, heat, or tenderness around the tattoo site

Red streaks extending from the tattoo site

Puss coming from the tattoo site

Swollen or tender lymph nodes

Fever

Infection may start at the tattoo site on the surface of the skin. The normal clear or clear-yellow fluid drains from a tattoo site may change to creamy yellow, brown, or red or look or smell like puss.

If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact a doctor immediately.

If you have a question about your tattoo or the healing and don’t see an answer here, don’t be afraid to reach out! Contact me via email at dillanrosetattoo@gmail.com