Tattoo Aftercare

Pre-Tattoo Suggestions

• Always have something good to eat before coming in; for long sessions, I suggest bringing snacks and water to keep your energy level up.  **Tattoo Day is Cheat Day!!** 

• Get lots of rest the night before and wear loose appropriate clothing to your session.

• DO NOT consume any alcohol before getting tattooed or be hungover from the night before. Save it for after the tattoo with Victory Meal. Trust us on this!

Aftercare Instructions

Always wash your hands thoroughly with HOT water and liquid antibacterial soap before you do anything to the tattoo. Never let anyone else touch your tattoo, EVER during healing.

• Before washing your tattoo for the first time after leaving the studio, wash your hands and remove the bandage carefully. Doing so in the shower can be helpful in the removal of the bandage and any weeping that occurs after leaving the studio. 

• Dry your tattoo thoroughly after washing with a clean paper towel and let air dry for about 10 minutes. Gently rub your clean hand over your tattoo to feel for any remaining plasma. If you feel any tacky spots or see any shiny spots, please wash them to remove them. Short but hot showers are great for healing tattoos but do not keep the tattoo submerged underwater.

• Please wrap up your tattoo with a nonporous bandage or saran wrap and tape it down, so it doesn’t slide and expose the tattoo for the first night if instructed by your artist. DO NOT apply any ointment or lotion! Keep wrapped up only through the first night. Keeping your tattoo wrapped up will protect it from contaminants, prevent any irritation from clothing and bedding, and from any weeping from drying out.

• The following day wash your tattoo as before and let it air out and breathe. Your tattoo will have stopped secreting and should feel dry and smooth. 

• Wash your tattoo 2-3 times daily with hot water and liquid antibacterial soap. Properly washing your tattoo may be the best defense against discomfort, scabbing, & infections. Allowing plasma to dry may result in scabbing, negatively affecting the healing and quality. Continue washing your tattoo and allow it to breathe.

• Once the tattoo feels dry, tight, and peeling like a bad sunburn, you could use a water-based, fragrance-free lotion (Lubriderm, Eucerin, etc.). Use after washing and when the tattoo is dry. Do not overuse the lotion, and keep your skin clean. Your tattoo will start to peel like a bad sunburn. Continue using the lotion until your skin looks and feels normal again. The “dry phase” differs for each person. I do not limit the lotion's time as it is good skin care.

• Your artist will give you verbal directions that are specific to your tattoo.

Saniderm Suggestions

***There are multiple ways to utilize Saniderm in the healing process. These suggestions are here to help refer to if your artist suggests this method ***

• After your artist applies the first piece of Saniderm on your tattoo before leaving the studio, they may provide you with a second piece to apply within 24 hours.

• Remove Saniderm the morning after getting tattooed or when instructed to by your artist. It is normal to see weeping and ink pooling underneath the Saniderm. If the adhesive seal is broken before you plan to remove the bandage, please remove it as soon as you can in a clean environment.

• Always wash your hands thoroughly with hot water and liquid antibacterial soap before you do anything to the tattoo. When taking Saniderm off, slowly pull it from the bottom corners up. If it gets tender, try pulling from a different corner until it is all removed. This is done best in the shower.  **Do not rip Saniderm off like a bandaid*. 

• Once off, wash your tattoo with hot water and a liquid antibacterial soap like the instructions above, and do not submerge the tattoo under water.

• Pat down your tattoo with a clean and dry paper towel, and let air dry for a few minutes.

• When fully dry, take a new piece of Saniderm, peel the opaque side off, revealing the sticky side, and carefully stick it on the tattoo. Smooth down slowly to ensure no air bubbles are sealed under.

• Then peel off clear plastic barrier on top, leaving the bandage in place. Repeat with multiple pieces if easier to cover the whole tattoo properly.

• Leave Saniderm on for 3-5 days, unless you start to feel or see any irritation. If the seal is broken, remove the saniderm and revert to the aftercare instructions above. The adhesive is hypoallergenic, but pulling due to the body and skin's natural movement may cause irritation.

• After 3-5 days, remove Saniderm as instructed above, and wash with hot water and liquid antibacterial hand soap, and a clean piece of paper towel. After washing, pat dry with another clean piece of paper towel and let breath. Start using a small amount of fragrance-free lotion.

• Continue using the lotion until your skin looks and feels normal again. The “dry phase” differs for each person. I do not limit the lotion's time as it is good skin care.

• Your artist will give you verbal directions that are specific to your tattoo.

Consult a health care provider for: Unexpected redness, tenderness, or swelling at the site of the tattoo; Any rash; Unexpected drainage at or from the site of the tattoo; A fever within 24 hours of the tattoo

These recommendations are from my personal experiences. This is how I heal my tattoos and I wouldn't recommend something I wouldn't do myself. How you take care of your tattoo is your responsibility once you leave the studio, mmkaay!! Please email us at info@alwaysandforevertattoo.com if you have any questions or issues during or after healing.