IF YOU WERE SENT HOME WITH:

• OPEN TATTOO

Your artist has sanitized your tattoo and left it open to heal due to its delicate nature. Before bed, rinse the tattoo with cool to room temperature water, and let it air dry. Starting on the second day, clean it once a day with mild, unscented soap, and apply a thin layer of fragrance- and alcohol-free lotion.

• SERAN WRAP

The plastic wrap protects your tattoo from bacteria and dirt but is only meant to get you home safely. Since it is not a breathable material, remove it as soon as you are in a clean environment, preferably within 2 hours. Once you remove the wrap, gently clean the tattoo with mild, unscented soap and water, then let it air dry. Do not re-wrap the tattoo; allow the skin to breathe and heal naturally.

• ADHESIVE BANDAGE
  Your fresh tattoo is covered with a medical-grade, latex-free, breathable, and waterproof bandage. During the first few days, you may notice plasma and ink building up under the bandage — this is normal. Leave this protective barrier on for 1–2 days, then remove it under warm running water or in the shower. With clean hands, gently peel up an edge of the bandage and pull downward away from the tattoo. Take your time to avoid removing any scabbing. Here’s a video tutorial on removal: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3NiW3hgujT
  ** NOTE: A small percentage of people may experience redness or skin irritation due to sensitivity to the medical adhesive. If this occurs, remove the bandage immediately.
  
  

• NON-ADHESIVE GEL PATCH

The gel patch soothes and protects your tattoo from bacteria, but is only meant to get you home safely. Remove it as soon as you are in a clean environment, no longer than 6 hours. Wet the patch with warm water & ensure it fully saturates. Wait a few minutes to allow the water to penetrate the gel and loosen, slowly peel away from the skin. Do not re-wrap the tattoo; allow the skin to breathe and heal naturally.

1-3 WEEKS

Starting on day 2, after any bandage or wrap has been removed, you may begin gently washing the tattoo once a day with fragrance-free soap (lather the soap in your hands first and pat it on — no scrubbing!). Lightly pat dry with a clean paper towel, then apply a thin layer of fragrance- and alcohol-free lotion to keep the skin moisturized. Make sure there isn’t a thick layer of lotion left on the skin so the tattoo can breathe. Scabbing and peeling are normal — do not pick or scratch at it! Avoid direct sunlight, pools, saunas, and tight clothing during this stage.

For your convenience, we have made an Amazon shopping list of recommended aftercare products here: AFTERCARE SHOPPING LIST

RECOMMENDED SOAPS: Dial gold antibacterial, Cetaphil cleanser, Dr Bronners fragrance free, Cerave

RECOMMENDED LOTIONS: Hustle butter, Lubriderm Daily Moisture, Curel Fragrance Free lotion, Cetaphil, Coconut oil

DO NOT APPLY: Vaseline, Neosporin, Alcohol, Baby Oil

3-4 WEEKS
The surface of the skin should be mostly healed by now, but full recovery of the deeper layers may take longer. Continue following the do’s and don’ts. You can now begin applying a gentle sunscreen to protect the tattoo from the sun. Please send your artist a healed photo so we can discuss how the healing went and determine if any touch-ups are neede. Enjoy your new tattoo!

TOUCH UPS
Touch ups are optional depending on the healing of the tattoo. How the tattoo heals is dependent on the level of sun exposure, skin hydration, placement of the tattoo (high friction areas like hands, wrists, feet & ankles tend to fade much quicker) and aftercare. Due to the small and delicate nature, fading can be more noticeable in fine line tattoos and depending on the placement/healing, some may need a touch up. Please reach out to your artist via their booking link for a touch up between 1-2 months of your initial appointment. Touch up is free within the first 2 months (except hand tattoos $25) or $30 after.