Day 3: REMOVE BANDAGE

• I recommend taking this off with clean hands at the end of a warm shower, under running warm water.

• Peel bandage off (along the hair grain) in a downward direction, close to the skin, like a command strip. Do NOT pull outwards away from your skin. (It may feel like pulling tape off of a sunburn) Take nice deep breaths as you pull it off, or sit down on a bench in your shower area if possible.

• Once bandage is removed, gently wash with water diluted UNSCENTED soap and ensure all soap is rinsed completely off. I recommend Dr. Bronner’s unscented Castile soap. Avoid direct water pressure and instead allow water to gently hit the skin.

• Pat dry with a paper towel (I like to leave some prepared pieces ready before I get in the shower) and allow it to air dry for 10 minutes.

• Apply a thin layer of Aquaphor to the tattoo. Continue to use this for the next 2-3 days.

SEE TAB “Aftercare after Bandages” for continued care for Days 4-21

Hour 4-6: REMOVE BANDAGE AND WASH

• Take off your bandage 4-6 hours after receiving your tattoo (or the next day, if its an evening tattoo)

• With clean hands, remove the bandage and gently wash with water diluted UNSCENTED soap and ensure all soap is rinsed completely off. I recommend Dr. Bronner’s unscented Castile soap. Avoid direct water pressure and instead allow water to gently hit the skin.

• Pat dry with a paper towel (I like to leave some prepared pieces ready before I get in the shower) and allow to air dry for 10 minutes.

Hour 6: APPLY LOTION

• Apply a thin layer of Aquaphor to the tattoo. Continue to use this for the next 2-3 days.

SEE TAB “Aftercare after Bandages” for continued care for Days 4-21

Day 4-7

• After removing your bandage and for the next 3 days, wash your tattoo 2x per day with water diluted UNSCENTED soap and ensure all soap is rinsed completely off. Pat dry with paper towels, allow 10 minutes to air dry, and apply Aquaphor.

• Be cautious of over moisturizing. We want the tattoo scab to flake off as naturally as it would a normal scab. Overmoisturizing doesn’t allow the scab to form properly and may result in a duller looking tattoo.

• Once your tattoo has reached the scab flake off stage, stop using Aquaphor and switch over to an UNSCENTED lotion.

Day 7-21

• Continue to wash & moisturize at least once per day.

• Until the tattoo is healed:

  AVOID prolonged sun exposure

  AVOID getting overly sweaty

  AVOID submerging your tattoo entirely in water (ie. bath, pool, ocean, tub, etc.)

  AVOID tight clothing on the area that was tattooed

• During this time, your tattoo may appear dry, flaky, scabbing, itchy, etc. Remember this is a fresh wound and to treat it with care! Your tattoo will be healed when it is no longer doing these things. Expect 2-3 weeks post appointment.

• If it appears to be doing anything else (ie. rash, bumps, excessive pus, bleeding, etc.) please contact me as well as your doctor/dermatologist.

• For relief from itchiness, you can use a cold compress over the tattoo with as cloth barrier between it and your skin. Pat the tattooed area instead of scratching!

• Do not wear any sunscreen until the tattoo is completely healed.