Aftercare
Recommendations from each artist may vary. Here are general and my personal guidelines.
Follow Me
The First Week
When the tattoo is complete I'll use a clear bandage to cover it (SecondSkin or Hypafix). It is waterproof so it is safe to take a quick shower with this on, but not safe enough to take a bath or go swimming.
✓ Keep it on for 1-3 days. Make sure it is sealed, there is no water and the tattoo is still fully covered by the wrap, if you notice water underneath or the bandage came off you have to take the whole bandage off immediately.
✓ Blood, ink and plasma underneath the bandage is a normal part of the healing.
✓ It’s easier to take the wrap off under water. When it’s off, wash it with warm or cold water, if blood/plasma/ink still there you can use some unscented soap foam. Don’t scrub the tattoo while you wash it, don’t use a washcloth, just your finger pads. After you washed it, let it dry out and apply some unscented moisturizer. Keep moisturizing until it’s healed.
✓ Moisturizer. Do not use any over-the-counter tattoo care unless I recommended it to you. Moisturizer has to be unscented, very basic and, if possible, water based. Do not use Vaseline (or Vaseline based products), oils and Polysporin.
✓ Everything that you use during healing period should be unscented - moisturizer, soap, body wash.
✘ Do not swim until your tattoo is fully healed. Don’t take a bath.
✘ Do not exercise in the gym with the bandage on and it’s better to take a couple weeks off even when you took the it off to prevent infection.
✘ Do not scratch the tattoo. If it’s itchy, slap it. Or apply some moisturizer.
✘ Do not touch it for no reason and wash your hands every time you want to touch it.
The First Month
The first week is the most important time in the entire healing process. You have to be extra careful with the tattoo, keep it covered with soft and loose clothing to prevent from accidental scratching and infection. Do not go swimming or tanning until the tattoo is fully healed. Keep using a moisturizer and keep it away from sun. When the tattoo is fully healed (4-6 weeks) start using a sunscreen every time you leave you home and when the tattoo might be exposed to the sun.
Life Care
There is a misconception that the artist is fully responsible for how the tattoo will look in the future, but in fact, how the tattoo healed is most important, and this responsibility falls entirely on the client. If you follow the simple recommendations above, you will never need to touch up (or in 20 years).
When you care about your tattoo and use a sunscreen it might look like fresh for many years.