General Aftercare Instructions

Each individual tattoo artist will have their personal recommendation on how to care for your new tattoo. It is important to follow their suggestions to ensure proper healing. Below you will find general shop guidelines for healing a new tattoo.

Recovery Derm Shield Faq

You most likely have had Recovery Derm Shield placed on your new tattoo, and may have been given some extra sheets for the next day. Derm Sheild is a latex-free, clear, breathable, waterproof, and hypoallergenic film placed over your fresh tattoo and protects it from outside elements that may interfere with the healing process of your new tattoo. *There are a number of brands that could be substituted by your artist instead of Derm Shield such as Saniderm, Tegaderm, and Second Skin. They are comparable products but just different brands.

Recovery Derm Shield Instructions 

1. If your artist has used Recovery Derm Shield on your new tattoo, the goal is to keep the Derm Shield on for 5 days for maximum healing effectiveness. If your artist has given you an additional piece, please go to step two, if not please go to step 7.
2.  Keep the Derm Shield your artist has initally put on after your session for 24 hours. 
3.  After the first 24 hours, carefully remove the Derm Shield film using warm water. We find this is best done in the shower which allows the bandage to loosen and prevents a potential mess of fluid buildup that may have taken place under the bandage from leaking. 
4.  After the film is removed, gently clean your tattoo with warm water and unscented soap such as Dial Antibacterial Soap.
5.  Once you have cleaned your tattoo, use a clean paper towel to pat dry your new tattoo. We also suggest using some alcohol to clean around the tattoo without touching the new tattoo itself. This will help the adhesive stick better. 
6.  Once your new tattoo is clean and dry, please cut the new pieces of Derm Shield to fit the tattoo leaving an inch or so border around the tattoo. You can also layer the Derm Shield if its not possible to do it in one piece. Start by removing the white backing paper like peeling a sticker from the film. Place the film centered over your new tattoo and gently push down smoothing the film from the center out to the edges. Some wrinkles may form, this is ok. After the film is pushed down, look for a seam and start removing the black pattern backing, leaving the film remaining over the tattoo. If some of your tattoo remains uncovered, please repeat the steps until the entire tattoo is covered. 
7. Continue to Wear your Derm Shield for 5 Days. At the end of the 5th day you can remove your Derm Shield using warm water. We find this is best done in the shower which allows the bandage to loosen and prevents potential mess of fluid buildup that may have taken place under the bandage from leaking. 
8. After the film is removed, gently clean your tattoo with warm water and unscented soap such as Dial Antibacterial Soap.
9.  Use unscented lotion, such as Lubriderm, Cetaphil, or Cocoa Butter, periodically throughout the day on your new tattoo for two weeks following the removal of the bandage. If your tattoo has small scabs or flakes remaining, continue to lotion and allow them to fall off naturally. Prematurely removing the scabs or flakes will cause ink to be removed. 

General Notes about Derm Shield

• Your bandage will most likely fill or bubble with plasma, excess ink, and blood under the film preventing you from seeing the tattoo. This is normal and is your body and the bandage working together during the healing process.
• You may also experience a ghost image on the bandage on the film upon removal, this is also normal and not a reason to be concerned.
• The edges of the film may peel up over the course of the five days, if this happens don’t be concerned.
• If your bandage begins to leak, please contact your artist immediately for next steps.
• You may get redness around the bandage edges, this can happen depending on the part of the body and skin sensitivity. It will normally disapper within a few weeks after the bandage is removed.
• If it becomes uncomfortable, please contact your artist for further instructions. 

Traditional Heal Instructions

Recommended Ointments are Hustle Butter, Moms Tattoo Aftercare, Redemption, or Aquaphor as a last resort. 

1. When you get home from your session, take off the bandage used to cover your tattoo. Gently wash your tattoo with warm water and unscented antibacterial soap. Pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel.
2. Apply ointment to your fresh tattoo 3 times a day for 4 days. Make sure to use only a very thin layer of ointment. DO NOT PICK any scabs or flakes, let them come off naturally.
3. After 4 days apply lotion to your tattoo until it isn’t peeling, itchy or dry feeling. Make sure your hands are clean before applying. 
4. Do Not overly wash your tattoo. 

Things to Avoid after a New Tattoo

Please avoid swimming, hot tubs, baths, sun exposure, gym equipment, and shaving for at least two weeks while your tattoo is healing. You have an open wound and are more susceptible to harmful chemicals and bacteria that may interfere with your healing and your overall health. Please also try to avoid your pet touching your fresh tattoo. 

If you have any questions please immediatley reach out to your artist for next steps.