AFTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Tegaderm Healing Method

Leave the tegaderm on for 4-5 days. The duration will depend on your specific tattoo session, so please follow instructions given. If the tegaderm comes off or drains before the recommended amount of time, please remove it following the instructions, then follow the traditional healing instructions.

Remove the tegaderm in a warm shower. The warmth will loosen the adhesive and make it easier to remove. Find an edge of the tegaderm and slowly pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth. If there are areas struggling to come off, you can gently rub antibacterial soap in the area to help it.  Pulling upward on the tegaderm can be painful, so I don’t recommend it. Clean your tattoo with Antibacterial soap. Do not use bar soap, loofahs, rags or sponges as they harbor bacteria. Lather with soap first, then wash using your palm, gently removing any slimy residue. Rinse with cold water and pat dry with a clean paper towel, then allow it to air-dry. Do not use a towel as it can also harbor bacteria. Sparingly, but thoroughly, massage a very small amount of ointment into the skin to keep the tattoo slightly moist, but not smothered.

Do this every four to six hours (washing before each application). Use just enough to give the tattoo a slightly satin shine, and blot with a clean paper towel. Your skin will take in all it needs, so do not leave excessive ointment on the skin. Ensure that extra moisture doesn’t get trapped under the ointment by blotting and air-drying after every washing. Flaking and peeling are to be expected 3-7 days after removing the tegaderm.

Traditional Healing Instructions

Whether your tegaderm comes off early or you plan on doing the traditional method, you want your tattoo to be covered and protected for the first 3-4 days. DO NOT remove the bandage until you can properly clean the tattoo with antibacterial soap and warm water. Clean the tattoo with warm water and antibacterial soap, thoroughly cleaning off all of the slimy coating that may have formed over the tattooed area while underneath the bandage. Finally rinse it off well with cold water. Gently pat it dry with a clean paper towel, then allow it to air-dry. Apply healing ointment to the tattoo. Sparingly, but thoroughly, massage a very small amount into the skin to keep the tattoo slightly moist, but NOT smothered. Use just enough ointment to give the tattoo a slightly satin shine, and blot with a clean paper towel. Your skin will take in all the ointment it needs, so do not leave excessive ointment on the skin. Then rewrap the tattoo with clean saran wrap. Remember to repeat this process every 6 hours.

I recommend keeping the tattoo covered with saran wrap for the first 72 hours. Afterwards, you can continue to clean and put ointment on your tattoo without wrapping it. For the next three to seven days, clean and apply ointment to your tattoo every six hours. Ensure that extra moisture doesn’t get trapped under the ointment by blotting and air-drying after every washing. Only apply ointment for as long as it takes for your tattoo to peel or become flakey, usually three to seven days after stopping serene wrap use. When the peeling begins, the tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn. AT ALL COSTS avoid picking at the cracked and flaking skin. You are now in the peeling phase. (peeling won’t always happen, so don't try to force your skin to peel). The area will become dry and itchy, sometimes very itchy. A good quality, fragrance-free lotion can now be used three times daily, if you prefer it. Repeat each day until the skin returns to its normal texture.

If you feel a heavier lotion is required to prevent over-drying in between applications (physically dry to the touch and not just skin that feels tight), you may switch up to a heavier lotion or continue using the palmers cocoa butter.  If you get any pimples in the area tattooed during this phase, you need to decrease lotion application times or switch down to a lighter or different lotion.

SCABS are the body’s natural way of protecting wounds while they are healing. HOWEVER, it is very important to maintain the appropriate aftercare to PREVENT scabs from forming as they can prolong and complicate the healing process which can lead to uneven healing and even scarring. The first signs that may lead to scabbing often are moisture bubbles that appear during the first few days of a new tattoo, usually caused by negligent cleaning or the over application of ointment. At the first sign of these, clean the tattoo thoroughly and allow it to completely dry. Do not soak the tattoo. Only apply ointment sparingly to the areas of the tattoo that do not have bubbles, allowing the bubbles to dry on their own. If scabs do form, once the tattoo is in the full peeling phase, sparingly apply lotion to the entire area making sure to thoroughly massage and not over apply or soak scabs with lotion. Any developed scabs should not be picked at or prematurely removed.

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Concerning Signs During Healing:

Moisture Rash: If you see little red bumps or pimples surrounding the tattoo, specifically where you haven’t been tattooed, it’s a sign that you are using too much ointment or lotion around the tattoo. If you notice this, I recommend cleaning your tattoo thoroughly, and not applying ointment for about 12-24 hours. You should see improvements by then.

Hot Spots: It’s small isolated spots of your tattoos that are either red, inflamed, swollen, hot to the touch, and/or discolored. This can happen when a small amount of bacteria has gotten into your tattoo, whether from contact, pet dander, or not sanitizing your hands/area before cleaning. This is an early sign for an infection. In the event that this happens, you’ll need to spot treat the area. Start by washing the tattoo really well with antibacterial soap, then wipe it down with alcohol. Once it’s air dry and tight, put Neosporin or a triple antibiotic ointment on those areas only. Normal ointment can be used on the other areas of the tattoo.

Please note, while they are not common occurrences, I’d like to make sure you know what to look for and what to do in case it does happen. At the first sign of either, please contact me so I can help guide you through healing day by day. If conditions get worse, please contact your health care provider.