How do I take care of my tattoo?

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How do I take care of my tattoo? ✩

Tattoo Pre-Care/Aftercare

The quality of your tattoo starts before your appointment

The longevity and quality of your tattoo is of the most importance, and Pre-Care is just as important as Aftercare. Clients usually will receive Aftercare instructions from their artist (find a new artist if they do not!), I don’t usually see artists give their clients Pre-Care instructions.

That’s where I come in!

Tattoo Pre-Care is important because the quality of your tattoo (especially over time) is determined by how well you take care of your skin. Skin is a living organ, so staying hydrated, eating healthy meals, smoking habits, and moisturizing routines all affect how well your tattoo comes out. Even your geographical location can affect the quality of your skin! As always, it’s important to reach out to your artist and ask if they have any recommendations for Pre-Care instructions when asking about Aftercare.

Tattoo Pre-Care

As I tattoo out of Denver, Colorado, I have to keep the climate in mind. These instructions are based off of that if you come to Denver to get tattooed by me. However, these are general and I would follow these anyway.

  • Moisturize your skin with unscented lotion at least 2 times a day for a month before your appointment. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated, and this helps it accept ink better than if it was dry. Aveeno and Lubriderm both have unscented lotions!

  • Speaking of hydrating, drink plenty of water every day at least a week before your appointment, but for longevity purposes, drink water every day anyway to increase general hydration (your dehydrated body will thank you).

  • Eat a full meal before you go to your appointment that includes and carbohydrates (carbs help your blood sugar levels, which helps the client from fainting during their tattoo). If you have a longer appointment or an all-day appointment, consider bringing snacks/drinks or a lunch will be nice to have in case your blood sugar levels drop.

  • Wear appropriate clothing based on the location of your new tattoo. For example, if you are getting your thigh tattooed, don’t arrive to the shop in jeans unless you bring an extra change of shorts. I like to be comfy, so I bring a sweat suit and shorts/t-shirt depending on what area I’m getting tattooed. I don’t like to get tattooed in shoes so I bring slides so it’s easy to get in and out of.

  • Bring everything that will make your experience more comfortable! If having an extra pillow, small throw blanket, your favorite book/Kindle (if you’re feeling naughty, your work laptop), headphones, chargers, or emotional support water bottle will ease your nerves and help you push through your tattoo, bring them!

If you are ever unsure about anything in terms of preparation for your tattoo appointment, please reach out to your artist and ask all the questions!

Tattoo Aftercare

Alright, now picture yourself at the end of your session. The tattoo is finished, and I have officially stopped stabbing/professionally scratching you. You did it!

By the end of your session, your skin is likely screaming and your adrenaline is pumping, so anything I tell you will probably be forgotten (thank you fight-or-flight). I give my clients an aftercare sheet at the end of the appointment so that they don’t forget important notes, so I will put my more important ones here.

In my healing process, I usually recommend Sandierm (aka Second Skin). Not every artist uses it or likes it, so it’s important to ask your artist and talk to them about options because not every client can even wear Saniderm. I have never had an issue with it, so I recommend it but I always ask clients what their needs are in terms of skin sensitivity/placement of tattoo.

What is Saniderm, you ask?

Saniderm is a medical grade adhesive bandage that is used in healing tattoos. It is breathable, waterproof, and transparent. Because of this, only oxygen can get through the Saniderm and reduces the risk of contamination of the wound site (your fresh tattoo). It conveniently eliminates having to wash it and apply topical aftercare multiple times a day.

Saniderm Directions:

  • Keep your bandage on for at least 3-5 days as instructed by your tattoo artist. it is okay to shower as it is water RESISTANT, but it is not waterproof.

  • On the last day of wearing the bandage, take it off either in the shower or under warm running water and fragrance free, anti-bacterial soap (I recommend Dial Gold). If you do not take it off under water, you RISK pulling off your skin and parts of the tattoo that may result in scarring. It MUST be done with water.

  • To take off the Saniderm, grab it from the bottom of the bandage and start to pull/stretch it down towards the ground or upwards towards the ceiling. Do not pull the bandage over itself (like peeling a banana), as. You run the risk of pulling ink/scabs out of the skin. It is okay if it comes off in multiple pieces.

  • Once you remove the Saniderm, wash your hands and then wash your tattoo with anti-bacterial soap and let it either air dry or dry it off with a paper towel. Don’t use washcloths, loofas, use your hand any time you wash a tattoo.

  • Afterwards, you may begin to apply a thin layer of unscented, non-greasy lotion (unscented Aveeno or Lubriderm is fine). Apply lotion at least 2x a day for another 2-3 weeks as needed. You may see your tattoo peel for a couple of days, but it will stop after it is healed. During this time, DO NOT pick at, peel, or scratch your new tattoo! This risks unnecessary scabbing, and you may pull ink out of the tattoo.

  • Make sure your hands are clean before touching your tattoo. The topmost layer of the skin will be healed in 2-3 weeks, and the entire tattoo will be fully healed in 1-6 months depending on the skin and the tattoo.

Essential DO and DO NOTs of the Healing Process:

  • DO wait minimum 2 weeks before applying sunscreen to your tattoo. If you don’t wait the 2 weeks, you could cause a rash on the tattoo.

  • DO NOT go swimming or submerge your tattoo under water during the initial healing stage. Wait 2 weeks after getting your tattoo, otherwise you will interfere with the process and your tattoo could be contaminated (just get tattooed in the winter).

  • DO NOT let water get under the second skin. If it does, take the entire bandage off and wash your tattoo with anti-bacterial soap at least 3x a day and then apply a SUPER light layer of Aquafor (don’t use Vaseline). Then after 3-5 days, you may begin to apply lotion instead of Aquafor.

  • DO NOT pick at or play with the second skin if there are air bubbles or lymph fluid sacs present.

  • DO remember that it is normal to see a little bit of lymph fluid form around your tattoo. It may look a little “fuzzy” or “blurry”, but it is normal since Saniderm is designed to keep everything in and everything out. Don’t panic text your artist at 3 am unless it is leaking from underneath the bandage.

  • DO NOT expose your tattoo to direct sunlight for 2 weeks. In fact, always put sunscreen on after that anytime you are outside for a long period of time so that the sun doesn’t age your skin. It also affects the longevity of your tattoo so don’t skip this, otherwise I will call your mom.

  • DO keep away from excessive pet hair as it can cause infection.

If your Saniderm comes off before the 3-5 days, please refer to the sheet that I give you, or reach out to me for further instructions. Most important thing to remember is to keep the tattoo CLEAN, and go to the doctor if you suspect any infection (also please let me know, but I will still tell you to seek medical care).

Healing FAQs

  • If you have any allergies to bandaids or adhesives, please consult with your artist if using Saniderm as aftercare is a good fit for you. I will not recommend it if you do have these allergies, and I will go over instructions in the consultation.

  • If your Saniderm comes off before the recommended 3-5 days, wash off your tattoo with anti-bacterial soap and please inform your artist so they can guide you on next steps. Most importantly, keep the tattoo CLEAN.

  • If you are traveling, I usually recommend Saniderm so that you don’t expose it to all the germs at the airport and the plane (ew). If you know that you’re getting tattooed, it’s advisable to preorder your travel size soaps and lotions before you travel.