Aftercare

The Ultimate Guide to Tattoo Aftercare

please follow the instructions

The First Day

Your tattoo artist will cover your tattoo with Dermalize, which is an adhesive bandage designed to help your tattoo heal quickly.

This can remain on your skin for the next 4-6 days while the tattoo heals underneath.

If the Dermalize starts to peel away beforehand, it's totally fine to remove it early—just follow the next steps on how to do so!

Healing Process

It probably goes without saying that any care you give to your tattoo must be done in a VERY clean, sanitary environment to avoid any infection or complications, especially during the early stages of healing.

Once the bandages are removed, after 4-6 days, gently wash the entire area with warm water and soap.
Choose a moisturizing product without any abrasive ingredients; we highly recommend Stories & Ink.
Use CLEAN HANDS only to wash your tattoo. NO washcloths, bath towels, bath sponges, or loofahs.
Once it's thoroughly washed and sufficiently air-dried, apply a thin layer of moisturizer over your dry tattoo. Let the tattoo air dry again after applying your next layer of moisturizer to allow the skin to fully absorb the product.

At this point, it's not necessary to wrap or bandage the tattoo.

Ideally, you want to keep your tattoo uncovered as much as possible since it will start forming scabs during the early healing stage. While it is best to keep the tattoo uncovered, if that is not an option, you want to be sure to wear loose-fitting clothes to avoid irritation on the fresh tattoo.

During the following 2-3 weeks, you should continue to wash your tattoo with warm water and mild soap twice a day, every day.

It's also super important to keep your linens clean for 2 weeks afterward until the tattoo is well-healed.

Your new tattoo will probably start to itch or feel dry while it's healing. Even if the skin doesn't feel dry, apply a moisturizer at least 2-3 times throughout the day. Continue this process for up to 3 weeks. Stay far away from petroleum-based products as they are known to cause the ink to fade over time.

No matter how much the skin itches, you should not scratch it while your tattoo heals. The tattooed area will form scabs during healing, and picking at them can cause open wounds and increase the risk of infection. Scratching can also cause the skin to flake and the color to peel away.

Special Attention

Next, a few words of caution about water and sunlight.

Too much water and too much sunlight are not good for your new tattoo. Minimize how wet your tattoo gets until it's completely healed, which takes about 3 weeks.
Once the bandage is off, a quick daily shower is perfectly acceptable, but you should avoid getting your new tattoo too wet or letting it sit under running water for too long.
Stay far away from swimming in pools or the ocean, soaking in baths or hot tubs until all your scabs have flaked off and your tattoo has fully healed. Water with chlorine or saltwater is equally bad for your tattoo.

It is equally important during the summer months—or if you live in a warm climate—to avoid too much sun exposure while your tattoo heals. The best way to keep it from drying out or fading is to minimize your time in the sun until after all your scabs have fully peeled.

Your first and best line of defense is to keep your tattoo covered with both a layer of SPF 30 or higher sunblock and light clothing for extra UV protection.

Keeping your skin healthy and moisturized is fundamental and essential for your tattoo's longevity. Using a gentle, daily moisturizing product is recommended.