caring for your tattoo

If traditional plastic wrap was used on your tattoo, leave it on for 1-2 hours unless otherwise instructed.

If Recovery Derm was used on your tattoo, leave it on for 24 hours. You may sleep and shower with it on, but avoid getting water beneath it. When removing, peel up slowly from the corner and pull away from your body, similar to removing a command strip. Note that it is easiest to take off under warm running water.

Regardless of bandage type, you can expect plasma, blood, and pigment from the ink to seep from your tattoo and collect beneath the surface of the bandage. It will potentially look oozy and smudgy. This is completely normal and will wash off once you remove the bandage.

After taking off your bandage, wash your tattoo with unscented antibacterial soap and warm water. Pat it dry with a freshly clean towel or new paper towel and apply a thin layer of ointment for the first few days of healing. Toad and Turnip Aftercare or A&D is what I personally recommend.

After the first 2-3 days, switch to a gentle unscented lotion like Lubriderm, Aveeno, or Eucerin. For handcrafted all-natural vegan-friendly aftercare options, I carry Toad and Turnip Aftercare products available for purchase in my shop, as well as entire aftercare kits (including soap, sunscreen, and other small items that help in the healing). I have had much success with Toad and Turnip myself while healing my own tattoos, and they are my #1 recommended brand (they are also trans and queer-owned by a very cool human)! Do NOT use Vaseline, Neosporin, or lotions with fragrances.

Apply lotion a couple of times a day for the remainder of the healing process. Most tattoos take about 10-14 days to heal on a superficial/surface level, but you could moisturize your tattoo every day for the rest of your life if you wanted to! Hydrated skin keeps your art looking fresh.

Do not submerge or soak your tattoo in water (bath, pool, ocean, etc.) for at least the first two weeks, or up to four weeks if you can manage.

Do not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight, especially for the first two weeks. If you tend to spend a fair amount of time in the sun, keep your tattoo covered with clothing during healing and sunscreen from then on out. Sunlight breaks down the pigment in the ink and causes the vibrancy and color of your tattoo to fade over time.

Things to Expect

Your tattoo and the skin surrounding it may remain mildly swollen, red, and tender for the first few days, depending on placement and your body’s reaction. However, if there is pus, excessive pain, redness, or irritation, you may have an infection and need to see a doctor for treatment.

Plasma and pigment can continue to seep to the surface for the first couple of days. If this happens, wash your hands and then clean your skin with warm water and unscented antibacterial soap, pat dry, and reapply ointment/lotion.

Peeling, flaking, and itching can be expected. A thin scab will form over the tattoo and may cause it to appear dull or uneven in color as it heals. This is normal.

Do NOT pick or scratch at your tattoo while it is healing. Picking at your tattoo can cause potential for infection and/or scarring and pigment removal.

The better you care for your tattoo during the healing process, the better it will look over time.