Congrats! You just got a new tattoo! 

Your artist has wrapped your tattoo in a breathable aftercare second skin bandage unless other preferences have been stated for your healing. If you have been wrapped in a traditional bandage please skip to 2A. 

1. Leave Your DermShield/ Saniderm on for 24 hours unless otherwise instructed by your artist - usually we will have you keep it on for 3-5 days, depending on the tattoo itself. It is normal and healthy for fluid such as plasma and excess ink to build under the surface and depending on the type of tattoo you got. (Solid Blackwork and color tattoos will have the most fluid) It is normal and healthy for this to happen. Sometimes the fluid will reabsorb into the body. Things to look out for are redness and irritation around the edges of your bandages, if this occurs remove your bandage early and proceed with normal aftercare procedures. 

2. When you remove your second skin bandage: we recommend removing it under running water, usually the shower is the best place for this. You can gently pull up a part of your bandage and start to stretch it (think command strip) as slowly as possible without causing yourself pain. DO NOT rip the bandage off like a band aid. You can allow warm water to run under the bandage. This will help aid in breaking up the adhesive and aid in a less painful removal process. 

3. Once you have removed your bandage (traditional or second skin) wash the area with unscented, anti-bacterial soap, we recommend Dr. Bronners for a cruelty-free option or dial anti-bacterial (the gold soap) but the soap is up to your discretion as long as it is unscented. 

4. Let your tattoo air dry, you can blot it with a fresh dry paper towel if necessary (do not use cloth towels as they harbor bacteria) It important for your tattoo to be completely dry before you apply moisturizer. 

5. After your tattoo has dried you can apply a small amount of moisturizer to your tattoo with unscented lotion or tattoo specific balm. If you prefer a moisturizer like aquaphor we ask that you use it minimally as it’s important for you skin to breath to heal well. Reapply moisturizer after washing the area when your tattoo is feeling dry/itchy/tight. Less is more. Keep the area clean (wash 2/3 times a day for the first few days as necessary) and lightly moisturized for a happy heal. Your tattoo should be fully healed in 2-4 weeks. 

6. Showers are fine, however, it is imperative to avoid submerging your healing tattoos in any body of water. No baths, hot tubs, pools, lakes or oceans until your tattoo has fully healed. No tanning or direct sun exposure. Remember to use sunscreen on your healed tattoos to preserve them. 

7. For aftercare lotions we recommend brands Aveeno, Lubridern, Cerave, or Cetaphil all unscented. Tattoo balms we can recommend are Hustle Butter, Redemption Aftercare, or CryBaby Tattoo Balm for cruelty free options. Coconut oil can be used for smaller or fine line tattoos but isn’t moisturizing enough for full color or solid blackwork tattoos.