Tattoo Aftercare
Your tattoo is an investment. Proper aftercare is essential for protecting that investment and ending up with a vibrant and long-lasting tattoo. Follow our expert tips to support the healing process, protect your ink, and preserve color and detail.
Have any questions or concerns? Contact us below.
Our Aftercare Recommendations
IMPORTANT: If you are using Saniderm, Derm Shield, or other semi-permanent bandage, our best advice to you is to leave it alone. These bandages may be left on for up to 7 days. Remove the bandage in the shower or with the aid of warm, soapy water. Upon removing your bandage, please follow the normal aftercare instructions listed below.
If you have any questions or concerns about your bandage, please contact us or your artist directly for assistance.
These aftercare recommendations have been reviewed and approved by the Arapahoe County Health Department.
Always wash your hands before caring for your new tattoo.
1. UNLESS YOU ARE USING A SEMI-PERMANENT BANDAGE, take your temporary bandage off within 4 hours of leaving your appointment.
You may see blood or clear liquid under the bandage. This is normal.
2. Take the bandage off slowly and wash the tattoo with non-scented antibacterial soap and water and apply a thin layer of artist-recommend aftercare lotion, salve, or ointment to the tattoo.
3. Use artist-approved lotion, salve, or ointment for one week. Apply only a thin amount as needed (1 to 3 times a day - listen to your body) and always wash your tattoo with non-scented antibacterial soap and water before applying a new layer.
Avoid over-use of lotion, salve, or ointment as excessive quantities can cause prolonged healing and significant scabbing.
4. Use clean bed linens and bath towels throughout the healing period.
5. After one week of using artist-approved aftercare lotion, salve, or ointment, you should only need to apply the recommended moisturizer on as as-needed basis when skin begins to feel dry, tight, or flaky. This may continue to be multiple times a day, or sparing use such as every other day depending on the individual.
6. Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo. It's OK to get your tattoo wet - just don't soak it or scrub it. To clean it, apply a small amount of non-scented antibacterial soap on hand and rub it gently over tattoo. Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so avoid these for 2-3 weeks. Showering is perfectly fine as long as you don't saturate your tattoo. Swimming in a pool, fresh water or salt water should be avoided for at least 2-3 weeks or until skin has completely healed.
While semi-permanent bandages are waterproof, use discretion and exercise good judgement as leaks in the bandage can be present and allow water underneath.
7. In the process of your new tattoo healing, it will become very itchy.
DO NOT SCRATCH OR PICK AT YOUR TATTOO. It will peel, but let the dead skin fall off on its own. At this stage your tattoo is almost healed. Let your body do the work.
8. Tanning is not recommended on the site of the tattoo during the healing phase, and it is suggested to use sunscreen over bright tattoos after 2 weeks of being healed to preserve their color. Going to the gym is okay, but use caution to protect your tattoo from the gym equipment and germs.
If you think you are having a problem, feel free to call the shop at (303) 268-5354 or come in to show us. Please reach out to your artist with questions and be hesitant of advice from people who are not professional tattooers.
If you experience abnormal symptoms after the procedure such as: infection, yellow or green pus discharge from the tattoo site, extreme pain, or swelling:
PLEASE CONTACT A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY!
Frequently Asked Tattoo Aftercare Questions
how long will my tattoo take to heal?
Tattoo healing time has many variables. Several lifestyle factors can either reduce or prolong your healing time, such as activity level, diet, hydration, health or skin conditions, or even simply genetics!
Other factors can include the size and placement of the tattoo, aftercare methods, and artist technique.
On average, tattoos will take roughly one-to-two weeks to heal, with the skin returning to "normal" within one month.
We tend to notice that semi-permanent bandages such as Saniderm or Derm Shield reduce healing time and potentially negative external factors significantly. However, not everybody's skin is suitable for these options. If you are sensitive to medical adhesives (band-aids, medical tape, etc.) there is a chance that you will be sensitive to these as well.
Please be transparent with your artist so we can give you the best aftercare advice possible! After all, its 100% in your hands once you leave the shop.
how long should i leave my saniderm on for?
The answer to this question is highly preferential. Some artists recommend changing your first bandage for a fresh one after 24 hours, while others may recommend leaving the original bandage on for up to 7 days.
Both are completely safe and effective methods!
Tattoo artists tend to know how their individual work heals the best (it comes with experience, y'all) and will provide your instructions tailored to their own work.
As a client, however, you gain your own experience in getting tattooed and will find that some things work better for you than others. That's okay. After all, nobody knows your body better than you do.
Some general rules of thumb when using a semi-permanent bandage:
1. If you are going to change your original bandage for a fresh one, make sure your artist has either provided or approved the brand of bandage you are using. Also make sure your artist has shown you how to properly re-apply your new bandage.
2. If the bandage is peeling off and leaving parts of your fresh tattoo exposed–it is time to take it off.
3. Some itchiness is normal, but the bandage should not be a nuisance or cause any pain. If you suspect that you are having a reaction: carefully remove the bandage, wash your tattoo, and monitor the area. Contact your artist with concerns, and don't be afraid to consult a physician if you suspect a serious issue.
4. Leave it alone. Seriously. Less is more. Go enjoy your life and check back on that thing later!
Why does my saniderm look gross?
We get it. It ain't pretty.
Semi-permanent bandages seal in all of the bodily fluids coming from the fresh tattoo and skin around it. This includes blood, plasma, sweat, natural oils, and excess pigment being pushed out of the skin.
Leaving the shop with a nice and bright tattoo only to wake up to a liquid blob can be alarming, but don't you worry. This is a normal part of the process. Your new alien-looking sac will eventually dry up and come off with the bandage once you remove it.
In some cases, the blob can be a little much. We know you don't want to walk around with the equivalent of a ziploc bag full of your own juices stuck to your arm. If it bothers you or begins to leak, contact your artist and ask about changing the bandage for a new one. We are happy to walk you through it or have you come by the shop to get rid of your... situation.
Is my tattoo infected?
Infection is a serious word in tattooing. Infections are also incredibly rare due to the extreme universal precautions used in the application of your tattoo.
While rare, it is always a possibility. Unfortunately, the rest of the world doesn't adhere to the same precautions of a clean tattoo shop and there are many opportunities for your tattoo to come in contact with something it shouldn't. This is why cleanliness is paramount while taking care of your tattoo.
Always wash your hands before touching a fresh tattoo. Wear clean clothing and use clean linens. Do not let animals come into contact with your fresh tattoo. Definitely do not let your friends come into contact with your fresh tattoo. As always, wash your tattoo with antibacterial hand soap regardless of these factors.
Sometimes–even with the best of precautions–you may experience scabbing or a rough heal. It happens to the best of us. This doesn't necessarily immediately point to infection.
99.99999% of the time, your tattoo is unlikely to be infected, but it never hurts to ask.
It is important to remember that tattoo artists are not physicians, however an experienced artist can generally tell if a tattoo is healing normally or if medical intervention may be necessary. We've seen it all, and usually the infected ones look dramatically different than the others.
Don't hesitate to ask us, but also don't hesitate to ask your doctor if you are concerned.
When can i get my tattoo touched up?
This is a question that we will sometimes be asked before a person's tattoo is even done healing.
Remember that the healing process isn't always pretty. Skin dries up and gets flaky. Some people experience scabbing more than others. Colors look a little weird for that first week. Saniderm does... that thing.
Be patient in your healing process. Our goal is to send you out the door with a tattoo that won't need a touch up (though given the external variables that we've covered–it does still happen).
Let your tattoo fully heal before consulting with your artist to see if a touch-up is necessary! We typically suggest waiting at least a month before tattooing over that skin again anyways.
My friend told me...
No.
Look, we know your friends probably have the best of intentions. They may even have several tattoos themselves! This doesn't mean that they know what they're talking about.
An experienced tattooer has sent thousands of tattoos out into the wild with their own aftercare instructions, resulting in thousands of happy clients with happy tattoos.
We know how our work heals best. We know what products to use, and we know what to avoid.
We are also always open to new ideas or suggestions, but please ask us first! The mystery salve that your friend's girlfriend's granny made in her dirty kitchen in last night's mac-and-cheese pot may not be the best thing to put on an open wound.
Or maybe it is! Just check with us first. Please and thank you <3
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