Safety and Sanitation

Wash your hands before touching your tattoo. Use warm water and unscented soap for at least 20 seconds, then dry with a clean towel or paper towel.

Use clean linens. Sleep on fresh sheets and use clean towels while your tattoo is healing.

Watch for infection. Excessive redness, swelling, pus, red streaking, severe pain, or fever are not things I can diagnose or treat. Contact a physician promptly if you notice any of these.

Adhesive Bandage Aftercare (Saniderm or similar)

I'll apply the first bandage before you leave. Leave it on for 24 hours unless I've told you otherwise.

Remove it slowly under warm water, pulling the bandage down and away from the skin rather than straight up.

Wash gently with fragrance free soap and warm water, then pat dry. Apply a thin layer of unscented ointment or lotion, such as Aquaphor or a fragrance free lotion like Lubriderm.

Wash 2 to 3 times a day and reapply a light layer of lotion each time.

Only reapply a fresh adhesive bandage if I've specifically told you to. Otherwise, stick with the lotion method going forward.

Old School Aftercare (no adhesive bandage)

Day 1: Apply A&D ointment. Keep it covered with plastic wrap until bedtime. Wash gently with fragrance free soap, then rewrap with clean plastic if you're sleeping in it overnight.

Day 2: Remove the wrap in the morning. Wash with fragrance free soap and warm water, pat dry, and apply a thin layer of ointment. Keep it uncovered as much as you can.

Day 3 and beyond: Wash gently 2 to 3 times a day. Switch from ointment to fragrance free lotion once scabbing and peeling begin. Moisturize as needed.

Days 4 to 14: Keep it clean and lightly moisturized. Avoid soaking, swimming, or heavy sweating until fully healed. Let flakes and scabs fall off naturally, don't pick.

General Care

Avoid direct sun while healing, and use sunscreen on it long term once healed.

Never scratch or pick.

Healing usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, though full skin recovery can take longer.

Results and healing time vary based on skin type, placement, immune health, and how closely these instructions are followed.

Your Responsibility, and Mine

Aftercare is your responsibility once you leave the studio. I'll give you clear verbal and written instructions before you go, and I'm always available if you have questions while you heal. That said, I am not a medical provider, and this page is not medical advice. If you notice signs of infection or anything that concerns you, contact a licensed medical professional right away, don't wait on a message back from me.

Healing results depend heavily on aftercare. I am not responsible for poor healing, fading, scarring, infection, or other complications that result from not following these instructions, sun exposure, swimming, picking, or from pre-existing health conditions that affect healing, such as diabetes, autoimmune conditions, or poor circulation. Every tattoo is a collaboration: I control the art and the application, you control the healing.

Questions during healing? Reach out, I'm happy to help.