A F T E R C A R E

The quality of your healed tattoo can be greatly impacted by how you care for it.

Please follow these general instructions to make sure your tattoo will heal properly. 

(scroll to the bottom of the page for Tegaderm aftercare instructions)

  1. Remove the bandaging after 4-5 hours for smaller tattoos, next day for larger pieces, unless otherwise stated by your artist. DO NOT re-bandage.

  2. Wash immediately after un-bandaging with warm water, using finger tips and a mild soap.

  3. Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel. Do not rub.

  4. Wash 2-3 times a day for the first 2 days, once a day for the remainder of the healing time, or as needed.

  5. After first 2-5 days, when your tattoo has begun to dry out, apply only a light layer of unscented lotion (we recommend Aveeno) 2-3 times per day, until skin returns to normal (around 4 weeks).

  6. DO NOT pick or scratch scabs!

  7. NO DIRECT SUN, HOT TUBS, POOLS, OR TANNING for the first 3 weeks. Showering is fine, you just don't want to soak or tan your new tattoo!

  8. Touch ups are free for the first 3 MONTHS after your appointment, as long as the tattoo was taken care of properly... we will know if it has not.

  9. Always use a good sunscreen (SPF 30) on your tattoo after it has healed, but not during the healing time.

  10. Soreness, swelling, scabbing and bruising are all completely normal and to be expected, but do not hesitate to contact your artist with any of your questions or concerns!


Please follow these instructions if you are healing your tattoo with Tegaderm.

Tegaderm is a breathable, flexible, adhesive medical film that is ideal for healing tattoos, as it locks in the body’s natural fluids and enzymes which would otherwise be lost to evaporation and scabbing. Tegaderm provides a barrier against external factors such as bacteria, grime and friction with clothing, which can have a negative impact on healing.

If your artist has applied the Tegaderm for you, skip to step 4.
If you were sent home with Tegaderm to apply yourself the following day, do as follows:

  1. Follow steps 1 - 3 as stated in the general aftercare instructions above, and allow tattoo to air dry for a few minutes.

  2. Remove white backing from Tegaderm, and place the sticky side over tattoo - you want it to be as centered as possible, and as smooth as possible (avoid air bubbles).

  3. Once it is in place, find the edge of the clear plastic backing and remove. You may need to hold down the edges of the actual Tegaderm piece as you go so that the clear backing does not lift it.

  4. You may leave this on for up to 5 days at a time.

  5. If you experience any significant itchiness within the first few hours, or welting or bumps under the tegaderm at any point, this can be indicative of an allergic reaction or sensitivity to the adhesive, and in this case it's best to remove it, wash it and resume regular aftercare.

  6. “Oozing” under the tegaderm is completely normal, even a significant amount, but if the seal around the edge of the tegaderm is broken, it should be removed, and you should then resume normal aftercare. If the fluid stays contained, it's best to just leave it, and it will dry out under the tegaderm in a couple of days.

  7. If your tegaderm has become compromised in ANY way, such as being punctured, ripped, or lifted in any way that would allow water or air (and bacteria) to reach the tattoo, it must be removed, and the tattoo must be washed. Resume regular aftercare at this point, or you may replace the tegaderm with a new piece IF provided to you/advised to do so by your artist. The tattoo should always be washed between applications.

  8. When removing Tegaderm, it is best to find an edge and stretch it (like a command strip) or roll it off of your skin rather than trying to pull it off. There will most likely be an imprint of your tattoo left on it - this is just excess pigment and plasma that has dried.

  9. You can stop using Tegaderm and resume the normal healing process at any time. Just remove the Tegaderm, wash your tattoo, and refer to the regular aftercare above.

  10. Steps 7 through 10 as listed in the general aftercare section still apply even when using Tegaderm.

    NOTE: If you have any questions or concerns while using tegaderm, please contact your artist to be advised on how to proceed. Everyone's skin is different, and tegaderm isn't compatible with everyones healing process.