1-5 DAYS
Your fresh tattoo may have been wrapped with Saniderm / second skin, which is a medical grade, latex free, breathable & water proof bandage. If you were sent home without Saniderm, move onto the instructions in the next section. Within the first few days, you may see some plasma & ink build up under the bandage which is normal. Leave this protective barrier on for about 1-3 days (as instructed in person) then remove it under warm running water. With clean hands, peel up an edge of the bandage and pull downwards. Don't "rip up" the bandage as we want to keep every bit of ink in the tattoo that we can (take your time to make sure you're not removing scabbing!)
***A small percentage of people may experience redness or skin irritation around the tattoo due to sensitivity to the medical adhesive. If this occurs, remove the bandage immediately.
2-3 WEEKS
After the bandage is removed, you may start gently washing your tattoo 2-3 times daily with a fragrance-free soap (no scrubbing!) Lightly pat dry with a clean paper towel, then apply a thin layer of fragrance & alcohol free lotion to keep skin moisturized. Make sure there isn't a heavy layer of lotion leftover on top of the skin surface, so that the skin can breathe. Scabbing and peeling is normal - do not pick or scratch at it! Avoid direct sunlight, pools/saunas & tight clothing during this stage.
RECOMMENDED SOAPS: Dial gold antibacterial, Cetaphil cleanser, Dr Bronners fragrance free, Cerave
RECOMMENDED LOTIONS: Lubriderm Daily Moisture, Curel Fragrance Free lotion, Cetaphil, Coconut oil, Aveeno
DO NOT APPLY: Vaseline, Neosporin, Aquaphor, Alcohol, Baby Oil
*Please do not use Aquaphor or any petroleum based ointment during the first month. Fine line tattoos are very delicate and these products are too heavy. Use something water based as listed above. Ointment based products can be used once the skin is fully healed and no open wounds or scabbing remains.
3-4 WEEKS
The skin surface should be mostly healed by now, but full recovery in the deeper layers could take longer. Continue to follow do's & don'ts. You may begin to apply a gentle sunscreen to protect the skin from the sun. After one month from appointment date, send me an update photo so we can discuss how healing went and see if you need any touch ups ($0 within first 3 months, $25 after). Enjoy your new tattoo!
TOUCH UPS
All tattoos fade over time - how much the tattoo fades is dependent on the level of sun exposure, skin hydration, placement of the tattoo (high friction areas like hands, wrists, feet & ankles tend to fade much quicker) and aftercare. Due to the small and delicate nature, it is common for fading to be more noticeable in fine line tattoos. It is normal to need at least one touch up. Every new booking includes one touchup. Additional touchups after the initial one are $25 per touchup. Please use the booking link to access the touchup book - Booking Link
