Tattoo Aftercare

Please email me (mira.m.tattoo@gmail.com) if you have any questions or concerns regarding the healing process. I am not a medical professional, contact a physician if you experience signs of infection.

GENERAL

ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS before and after removing your bandage and/or touching your new tattoo.
NO POOLS/HOT TUBS or any other prolonged soaking, such as baths, until your tattoo is healed (around two weeks).
Things to avoid during healing:

Direct sunlight and tanning.
Hair removal in the tattooed area. (Shaving or otherwise)
Abrasive clothing and activities.

Scabbing and itching is normal, DO NOT pick scabs!
Regardless of the bandaging method, shower as you normally would and keep your tattoo clean.

CLASSIC/DRYLOCK BANDAGE

Keep your bandage on for a minimum of three hours. I recommend keeping it on overnight to allow your skin to settle and prevent anything from touching your fresh tattoo.
Upon removing your bandage, immediately wash the tattoo with a mild unscented liquid soap (NOT bar soap) such as:

Dr.Bronners (unscented)
Dial
Dove
Soft Soap

Using clean hands wash your tattoo with firm but gentle circular motions until it no longer feels slimy.
Gently wash your tattoo once or twice daily for the first few days. Do NOT scrub it.
Gently pat the tattooed area dry with a clean, disposable paper towel.
Apply a very light layer of an unscented aftercare product such as:

Lubriderm
Aquaphor
CeraVe
Aveeno

Reapply as needed. Do not over-moisturize. Your tattoo should feel hydrated but not wet or sticky with lotion.
Do not use medicated, greasy ointments such as A&D, neosporin, etc. They are too heavy and can negatively affect healing.
Do not re-bandage your tattoo.

SANIDERM/TEGADERM/SECONDSKIN

Leave the bandage on for up to four days maximum.
There will be fluid buildup under the bandage, this is normal.
You may shower with the bandage on, but no baths, swimming, or hot tubs. It is water reistant, not waterproof.
To remove:

Run the bandaged area under warm water.
Lather over the edges of the bandage with a liqud soap (refer to list of soaps in previous section)

Once an edge begins to lift, pull it off slowly and gently. If necessary, re-lather and continue to run warm water over the area.

Once removed, gently clean the tattoo and apply unscented lotion if desired.
Do not re-bandage your tattoo.
Flaking and itching will likely still occur until your tattoo is fully healed.
Remove bandage immediately if:

Fluid seeps out of the bandage. If stuff can get out, bacteria can get in.
Redness around the edges of the bandage, swelling, or hives. Your skin may be sensitive to the adhesive, and will calm down once the bandage is removed.