Congrats on your new tattoo! Your tattoo artist will most likely go over aftercare with you after your appointment. Here’s a little reminder list for those questions that come to us hours later.
Saran Wrap Aftercare
- Leave with the tattoo wrapped for a bit of time, a few hours is perfectly fine.
- In a few hours, unwrap your tattoo, wash your tattoo at the same temp as your body. It may seem hot but it is good for your tattoo.
- Don’t use anything other than your hand to wash the tattoo, no sponges, washcloths, loofahs, etc. We suggest using dial antibacterial soap, but any antibacterial soap will do.
*If you use the bar soap version. Don’t put it directly on your tattoo. Lather the soap up with your hands and then apply it to the tattoo*
- Do not dry your tattoo with a towel, use a paper towel, and only use a fresh clean towel for the rest of your body. Dab the tattoo dry, do not be too rough with the area.
- Then re-wrap the tattoo, and sleep with it wrapped that night and the following night.
- During the day, change the wrap every 4-6 hours for the following two days.
*In case of swelling ice the area over the saran wrap for 15 minutes on/15 minutes off until swelling is reduced*
- Day three after you get your tattoo, apply non-scented lotion after washing and drying the area.
Recovery Aftercare
If your artist uses any type of Derm Shield Aftercare the healing orders are a little different.
- Keep the bandage on until the next night after you get your tattoo, if possible. If the seal breaks of leaks, remove it immediately
- Avoid hot showers while wearing the bandage. The hot water will remove the seal.
- After you change your first bandage, continue to wear it for another 72 hours. The ideal wear time is 4 days.
*Your artist will provide extra bandages, if you need more you can order Recovery Derm Shield Tattoo Aftercare Bandages on amazon*
- When removing, take a hot shower and peel the bandage against your skin, using the water as an aid.
- When reapplying your bandage, blot your tattoo dry with paper towels. Do not use cloth towels.
*This product does not seal to wet skin. The area and the surrounding area should be dry.*
- When applying, overlap the bandage a full inch off your tattooed skin
Dry Healing
Dry healing is used whenever the tattoo is on an area of your body that can’t stay wrapped 24/7, like a hand or your face.
- Leave with the tattoo wrapped for a bit of time, a few hours is perfectly fine.
- In a few hours, unwrap your tattoo, wash your tattoo at the same temp as your body. It may seem hot but it is good for your tattoo.
- Don’t use anything other than your hand to wash the tattoo, no sponges, washcloths, loofahs, etc. We suggest using dial antibacterial soap, but any antibacterial soap will do.
*If you use the bar soap version. Don’t put it directly on your tattoo. Lather the soap up with your hands and then apply it to the tattoo*
For 3-4 days do not re-wrap the area. Wash it thoroughly every 4-6 hours, completely drying it each time.
- Do not dry your tattoo with a towel, use a paper towel, and only use a fresh clean towel for the rest of your body. Dab the tattoo dry, do not be too rough with the area.
*Completely dry the area, it may take multiple paper towels to fully dry*
- Once it only takes 1-2 paper towels to dry the area, apply a thin layer of Aquaphor or hustle butter.
*In case of swelling ice the area for 15 minutes on/15 minutes off until swelling is reduced*
- Once the area starts peeling you can begin to use non-scented lotion.
Important Info
*Only do light physical activity for the first 2 weeks of healing until the tattoo is noticeably peeling.
* Avoid going into the ocean or swimming until the area is finished peeling completely.