AFTERCARE

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR TATTOO

SOAP AND WATER

Pick a Soap:
-Dr. Bronners Peppermint Castille Soap, wash twice a day. Typical heal time is 7-10 days.
-Antibacterial and other gentle soaps like Johnson & Johnson baby wash, dove, or ivory (all unscented with no color dyes) wash three times a day. Typical heal time is 2 weeks.
Remove your bandage (up to) 2 hours after it is applied, no longer.
Always wash your hands before touching your new tattoo.
How to wash your tattoo:
-Wet your tattoo.
-Apply a few drops of soap (you don't need much.)
-Wash your tattoo in a circular motion using your fingertips while applying light pressure for 2 minutes.
-Rinse under running water while still using a circular motion.
-Cautiously pat the area dry with a clean towel or paper towel. (Do not use the germ covered towel that has been hanging in your bathroom all week.)
How to apply A&D or Aquaphor:
-Pick one and don't switch.
-If using A&D make sure you are using the clear ointment, not the paste.
-Apply a thin layer to your fresh tattoo and rub it in like lotion.
-Wipe away any excess amount using a clean paper towel, applying pressure. You DO NOT want to see any glare or shine sitting on your skin.
Once your tattoo has peeled (typically 3-5 days) completely, you can quit using ointment and start using a FRAGRANT FREE LOTION.
-Like Lubriderm or Jergens Ultra healing lotion.
Scabs are caused by plasma leakage drying on your skin. They also take 24 hours to form into a hard scab, as long as you are washing it properly with light pressure you should be able to avoid scabbing.
-If you do scab, do not pick at it, it will pull out your ink. Leave it alone and let it fall off naturally.
What should I wear while I am healing?
-Wear white. Depending on the area you will need to decide what is most comfortable for you. It could be tee-shirts, boxer-briefs, shorts, socks, etc. I will discuss that with you in person.
-Other colors have chemical dyes in them, if they stick to your tattoo, it can absorb that chemical and cause infections/irritations.
-Don't leave it openly exposed but don't cover it with tight clothing, keep it semi-loose. Especially if you have in-door animals. Pet dander is one of the largest causes for infections.
-DO NOT put other bandages on your tattoo after the initial one is removed.
-If your body leaks plasma it will stick to the white clothing instead of to your skin. To remove it, wet the clothing and rub the outside gently in a circular motion then carefully and slowly pull the fabric away working in small sections.
No Tanning
No Submerging your tattoo in water. (No pools, lakes, hot tubs, baths, etc.)
-If your tattoo is in an area where your hair will touch it when it is wet, pin it up!
Showers are Fine.
Do Not scratch or pick at your tattoo, it will damage it and can pull out ink. You can relieve your itch by LIGHTLY patting the area. Don't abuse yourself.

SANIDERM

Duration:
-Leave the first piece of saniderm on for 8-24 hours, depending on how much the tattoo is bleeding. You can apply up to 2 more pieces, each lasting 1-6 days.

Ideally, your first removal will be within 8-24 hours.
Your second and final removal will be 5 Full days later.
How To Remove:
-It is easiest to remove saniderm in a warm shower, allow the water to run over/in the Saniderm to help you peel it off.
-You can start the peel by finding an edge and pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth.
-As you are removing the Saniderm, try to keep the skin pulled tight in the opposite direction.
-Remove it slowly (centimeter by centimeter) so you don't damage your skin.
-Removing it to quickly can rip your skin and cause scarring, especially in sensitive skin areas.
-Make sure you wash the tattoo thoroughly to remove all of the "slime" feeling. That feeling is plasma, blood and residual ink.
-Wash in a circular motion using a gentle, fragrant free soap or unscented antibacterial soap until it feels squeaky clean.
How to Reapply:
-After washing the tattoo, allow it to air dry or pat it dry with a clean paper towel or clean cloth. Do Not use the towel that's been hanging in your bathroom all week.
-After your skin is dry, Clean the area you plan on putting the Saniderm on with Alcohol thoroughly to remove any excess oils, that way it will actually stick to your skin.
-Cut the saniderm as needed and apply it to your skin.
-Press the center down first then work your way out to the ends to avoid air bubbles.
-It is okay to overlap the pieces of saniderm.
-Make sure when applying the saniderm that the area you are applying it to is hyper extended so it's not uncomfortable while wearing it throughout the day. (Pay attention to how I apply it.)
Tip: If any part of the saniderm comes up and the tattoo is exposed, quickly use a small piece of saniderm to patch the spot after cleaning it with alcohol.

Tips directly from the Saniderm Website:

Lotion- apply a thin layer of unscented lotion 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks after washing.
Sun Protection- Avoid direct sun exposure while healing. Once healed, you can use a sunblock with SPF 50 or higher.
Swimming- Avoid baths, hot tubs, and swimming for at least 6 weeks
Picking- Don't pick or scratch the tattoo.
Antibiotics- Avoid taking antibiotics within 30 days before and after getting a tattoo.