TATTOO AFTERCARE

GENERAL

Around 2 weeks following bandage removal, I suggest applying coconut oil or cold-pressed coconut butter 3 to 6 times daily. Spread it evenly in a thin coat over the tattoo, using just enough to cover it. Avoid applying too much lotion, as excessive moisture can interfere with healing and cause pigment to fade.

I recommend staying away from vigorous workouts for 2 weeks, since contact with dirty surfaces, rough fabrics, and perspiration may trigger irritation, extra scarring, and potentially infection. Furthermore, if you have pets at home, keep your tattoo away from pet fur during the initial week while it remains an open wound, as this can rarely result in infection.

During the healing period (within the first 2 weeks to 1 month), avoid submerging your tattoo in water bodies like pools, seas, or oceans, and limit extended exposure to direct sunlight. Water exposure may lead to dangerous and potentially fatal infections, while direct sun can overly dry the healing skin or result in early fading.

Finally, I respectfully ask that you share a high-quality photograph of your tattoo 2 months post-completion. I’m eager to see its healing progress! While it's your tattoo, it also represents my artwork, and ensuring it looks excellent for life matters greatly to me. Should you feel that a touch-up is needed, please don't hesitate to point out specific spots, and I will assess and complete any required touch-ups.

FOR PLASTIC-WRAP

Once you arrive home, take off your bandage, then cleanse the spot with warm water and a mild, unscented antibacterial liquid soap.

According to your artist's guidance, it might be suggested to rewrap the tattoo at bedtime. This prevents the tattoo from becoming dry, minimizes discomfort from nighttime movement, and stops blood or ink from marking your bedding while managing the flow of plasma (the bodily fluid released from the skin following tattooing).

Should your artist recommend rewrapping your tattoo, take off the bandage the following day, clean the spot (as outlined in the previous step), and begin hydrating your tattoo with coconut oil. If your artist suggested an alternative cream, kindly follow your artist's guidance on the technique and timing of cream use.

FOR SECOND-SKIN BANDAGES

With your tattoo protected by a second skin, you're generally able to continue your daily activities as normal. The material is a specialized medical-grade product commonly used in surgical settings, modified for tattoo applications. It offers water resistance, allowing you to shower while it's on, though we suggest limiting extended exposure to water as it may occasionally penetrate. To avoid stress on the bandage and tattoo, we recommend wearing relaxed-fitting clothing.

While the bandage is in place, you might observe some fluid collecting beneath it, making the tattoo look hazy. This is plasma from your body, which supports the healing process by bringing micro-ink particles to the surface. This is entirely normal and beneficial to healing.

We suggest maintaining the second skin bandage for up to 3 days following your session. Following this timeframe, carefully stretch the bandage in the orientation it was placed while keeping it under warm running water for removal. Because the bandage bonds firmly to your skin, you'll need to use some effort when taking it off. If you see ink particles on the bandage, don't worry; these are micro-ink particles that have dried onto the bandage. Should the bandage create any irritation or start lifting off before the 3-day timeframe, take off the bandage and apply coconut oil to hydrate your tattoo 4 times daily for 2 weeks (use a minimal amount of coconut oil, spreading it gently across the complete tattoo).

Furthermore, during the initial week following bandage removal, we suggest cleaning your tattoo with antibacterial (unscented) soap twice daily (once in the morning and once at night).

What's the purpose of aftercare, you ask? Simply put, all aftercare techniques aim to maintain your tattoo clean and hydrated throughout the healing process for superior and smoother healing. Please avoid applying excessive or insufficient cream or cleaning more than suggested. Applying cream 10 times daily when 4 times is advised can be equally detrimental as insufficient cream application.