Aftercare

1. Keep the first applied bandage on for anywhere from 3-24 hours, depending on how much the wound is weeping. Replace within 24 hours or leave on as instructed by me. It’s fine if there is some plasma/blood/lymph fluid buildup under the bandage during this period. 
2. For color realism only: to remove Saniderm after 24 hours, find an edge of the bandage and pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth. The shower is the ideal place to remove Saniderm. Running water will help loosen the adhesive and relax the skin, making the removal much more comfortable. Dry removal of Saniderm may cause discomfort and added trauma to the skin.
3. Discard the used bandage and wash the tattoo with a mild soap, preferably fragrance-free. 
4. Allow the tattoo to air dry for 10 minutes or pat dry with a clean towel. Do not wipe dry. 
5. Apply a second bandage by following the application steps given from your artist.  
6. Keep this second bandage on for 3-6 days – the full 5 days being ideal. If the skin appears irritated, there is fluid buildup, or the bandage is coming off, it’s okay to remove the bandage sooner rather than later.
7. Do not reapply any more bandages after the scabbing/flaking phase of tattoo healing has begun. If you find yourself bandage-less during this phase, make sure you’re keeping the area thoroughly moisturized. For a tattoo moisturizer, we strongly recommend Hustle Butter or a non alcohol based lotion. 
8. If there is adhesive residue leftover on the skin, or the adhesive is not loosening enough with water, coconut oil and baby oil are helpful for removal.

1. Leave your plastic siran wrap on for 2-4 hours. If using diaper wrap, leave on for 24 hours/ overnight.
2. ​Wash your hands thoroughly before removing your bandage.   
3. Clean your tattoo with a mild anti-bacterial soap and warm water. (Dial antibacterial gold soap works best).
4. Use your fingertips to massage the area, removing ink, dried fluids and ointment.  Do not scrub your new tattoo.
5. Dry the area by patting with a clean, sterile towel.  Do not rub!
6. Let your tattoo air dry completely (approximately 10 minutes).
7. ​Your tattoo needs to breathe, do no re-bandage the area with any siran wrap.
8. ​For the first 3-4 days, gently massage a very small amount of a light, water-based cream or lotion, like Hustle Butter, on your tattooed area. Moisturize whenever your tattoo feels dry. Thin layers only.
9. Do not use an oily or petroleum-based products.
10. After the first 3 or 4 days, lightly moisturize the area in the morning and in the evening to prevent your skin from itching.​

 A tattoo typically takes 1–2 weeks to appear fully healed on the surface, but it can take several more weeks to completely heal through all layers of the skin. 

The healing timeline can vary depending on the type of ink, tattoo style, size, and placement. Different areas of the body have varying levels of sensitivity and skin texture(ex: cover ups or scarred tissue), which can affect how well the skin holds ink & how quickly it heals.