One to two hours after your procedure wash your hands, remove the bandage and gently clean your tattoo using antibacterial soap and warm water. Be diligent and remove all traces of blood and plasma. Gently pat the area dry with a clean paper towel or just allow it to air dry.

After the area is clean and dry, apply a very thin layer of Aquaphor or A&D ointment to the tattoo. A little goes a long way. You want to use just enough ointment to keep the tattoo moist. When applied correctly the tattoo will have a very slight shine. If the ointment looks globby, runny or accumulates when you run your finger over it you have applied too much and must immediately remove the excess gently with a clean paper towel. It is very important that you are careful not to over saturate the tattoo with ointment as it will suffocate the skin. All wounds need to breathe in order to heal properly. Do not re-bandage your tattoo. Ointment can be applied approximately two times per day for two to three days or whenever the tattoo feels dry or stiff, but do not of over-moisturize.

After two to three days switch from ointment to moisturizer. Apply a thin layer twice a day for the remainder of two weeks or until the tattoo is fully healed. Basic moisturizers like Aveeno, Lubriderm or Vaseline Intensive Care are recommended. Do not use fragranced, glittery or tinted moisturizers.

For the duration of the healing period be very gentle with your tattoo. Allow your tattoo to heal at its own pace. Cover you tattoo with loose fitting, cotton clothes. Do not cover it with tight, non-breathable or synthetic materials. Do not scrub, scratch, pick or allow any germs, infectious items or irritants near the tattoo. Be cautious of bacteria prone environments. Refrain from taking long showers or exposing your healing tattoo to prolonged moisture. Short showers under ten minutes are best. Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub/sauna.

Avoid sun exposure. After a few weeks when the tattoo has healed, not during the healing process, apply sunblock (not to be confused with sunscreen) whenever your tattoo is sun exposed. The sun is one of the most damaging elements to the lifespan of tattoos.

Notes on peeling and scabbing:

All tattooed skin will form a protective layer. When the tattoo is kept moist, it doesn’t have a chance to form a hard scab. It does however form a thin membrane to protect the tattoo while it heals. This layer peels like a sunburn. When the time is right for this membrane to come off, it will naturally flake away and you will see colored skin peeling off your body. This is normal. Do not prematurely peel your tattoo because you will pull the ink out. Thick, hard scabs are also common and may form to various degrees on your tattoo. Try not to let the scabs crack and do not pick at or remove them. Premature removal of scabs will pull out the ink and damage the tattoo. Your skin is healing underneath and they will detach from your body on their own. Allow your body to heal at its own pace.