Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

After your appointment is completed, your tattoo will be bandaged for your trip home. Please, keep in mind that tattoos take 2-4 weeks to fully heal, depending on your lifestyle and nature of work. It may be necessary to wear clothing heavy enough to protect your tattoo during the healing process (particularly if you are around grease, oils, dirt, dust, etc). If possible , take time off from activities that may put your tattoo at risk of damage or infection (work, gyms, water parks, the outdoors, etc.).

During healing period, do as follows :

  • Leave the bandage on for a minimum of 2 hours but no longer than 24 hours

  • When you remove the bandage, wash it thoroughly with liquid hand soap and water (Dial, Softsoap or any other fragrance-free soap)

  • Allow tattoo to air dry or pat dry with a paper towel

  • Apply a very thin layer of unscented lotion ( Aveeno, Lubriderm or any fragrance-free lotion)

  • From then on, wash and moisturize your tattoo 3-4 times a day

  • Always wash your hands before touching the tattoo

During healing period, do NOT:

  • DO NOT re-wrap the tattoo after the first night (wearing breathable clothes over your tattoo is fine)

  • DO NOT submerge your tattoo in water (no jacuzzis, baths, pools or oceans, showers are ok)

  • DO NOT expose it to direct sunlight or extreme heat (no sunbathing, tanning, saunas or steam rooms)

  • DO NOT pick or scratch at your tattoo (just keep it clean and moisturized)

  • DO NOT shave over the tattoo (wait at least a month before you start shaving again)

When the tattoo is completely done peeling and the skin feels smooth to the touch, you can resume your day to day activities.

A medical-grade bandage can be used to protect your tattoo. This product is great as it protects your fresh tattoo from the outside elements as it heals. If you decided to use the adhesive bandage, the aftercare process is a little simpler.

The adhesive bandage:

  • Can stay in place for 1-3 days, depending on how much the wound weeps (it is normal for fluids to collect under the bandage)

  • Eliminates scabbing and the risk of scarring

  • Prevents exposure to bacteria, dirt, and abrasion

  • Is waterproof (avoiding baths, pools, baths, etc. is still recommended)

Remove if:

  • Bandage begins to come off and any part of the tattoo is exposed

  • Fluids leak out from bandage

  • 3 days have passed
    A second application can be used for 6 days, as long as the tattoo has been cleaned thoroughly and dried completely between applications

    Directions for Removal:
    To remove your adhesive bandage, find an edge of the bandage and pull it back over itself. The ideal place to remove the bandage is in the shower as the water will help loosen the adhesive and relax the skin, making the removal much more comfortable. Dry removal is acceptable but it is a little more painful.

    1. Discard the used bandage and wash the tattoo with a fragrance-free liquid soap. 

    1. Allow the tattoo to air dry or pat dry with a paper towel

    1. Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion to your tattoo

Please contact me if you have questions or concerns

As with any procedure, tattooing may involve possible health risks. Tattooing could result in pain, bleeding, swelling, infection, scarring of the tattoo area or nerve damage.

If an infection should occur at the site, contact your doctor and the Southern Nevada Health District at (702) 759-0677