AFTERCARE
If none of the buttons on this page work—they are just links to email me. tankgirltattooing@gmail.com
“Aftercare” in the subject will receive prompt responses.
AFTERCARE\the skinny
Wear bandage for no longer than 3 days. If you don’t like it, it irritates your skin, becomes compromised and leaky, or takes on water while you shower its time to remove it.
When you remove the bandage, do it while in the shower. Wash your tattoo well. Air dry or pat with a paper towel.
Moisturize 2-4 times each day with a fragrance free lotion or ointment. I like aquaphor, aveeno, or lubriderm. A little goes a long way do not over apply. Do this for 3 full weeks, even though all the scabs will be gone in about 2. Always wash your hands before moisturizing.
Wash daily.
Do not pick at the scabs! The color will flake off in bits while its healing, this is normal, but let the flakes come off at their own pace.
Avoid direct sunlight, swimming, or soaking in a bathtub for at least two full weeks.
Do not attempt to rebandage the tattoo unless specifically told by me to do so.
Avoid pet dander! Cat hair especially. Wear clothing that keeps it covered the first couple of days. Socks, pants, and sleeves, all comfortable or loose fitting clothes are completely okay over a fresh tattoo, don’t worry.
LOOK OUT FOR THESE IF ITS BEEN OVER A WEEK
Red halo around the tattoo
Strong stinging or throbbing pain
Warm to the touch
Yellowish scab formed or forming
If you notice any of the above please send an image and description to my email tankgirltattooing@gmail.com ASAP or use the link. Be sure to write “Aftercare” in the subject!
AFTERCARE\long-winded
this is for first timers, curious minds, and anyone bored enough to read
I will bandage your tattoo with either plastic wrap, or a clear sticky bandage that acts as a second skin. The type of bandage I choose is based on your preference, if you have allergies, the size and saturation of the tattoo, and its location.
No matter which bandage, its most optimal to keep it wrapped until the next morning if possible. The plastic wrap must* come off by the next morning. The second skin you may keep on up to 3 full days unless
you don’t like it
you are having an allergic reaction (pain, itching, blisters, redness)
it starts to leak plasma and ink, or water gets in while showering (the sanitary environment has been compromised)
The second skin will create a puddle of ink and plasma beneath it that looks disturbing. So long as its not leaking there is no need to remove the bandage! It looks gross, but that plasma is helping your body heal the longer it gets to sit with it. That is why at least keeping it wrapped until the first morning after is optimal, even if it begins to leak plasma before bed—if possible just blot off the leakage and tape it down until you wake in the morning.
I recommend removing the bandage while in the shower. It will feel like you’re going to hurt yourself or your tattoo but I promise you’re not, this thing is just really stuck on your intact skin. Roll or peel it back over itself if possible. The bandage stretches far, so pulling it away from your body instead of over itself will only prolong the discomfort!
Wash it for the first time with just your hands and soap and water. It doesn’t matter what kind of soap as long as it doesn’t have exfoliating beads. Wash gently but very well, get all that plasma off—it’ll feel slimy until it finally doesn’t. I usually have to give two full wash/rinses before my own feel clean that first time. Once you’re clean, either air dry it or use a paper towel to gently blot it dry for the first couple of washes. Your bath towel is most likely harboring some bacteria.
At this point its super simple—Don’t overthink it! Moisturize with something fragrance free a several times each day. I like aquaphor ointment, lubriderm, curel, or aveeno lotion, or some name brand holistic tattoo balm if you are so inclined to find one. Always make sure your hands are clean before you moisturize, and make sure you are moisturizing* and not smothering your tattoo. Put it on like you’d put lotion on your hands. Not to heavy. Rub it in.
You will notice there are one or two days the scabs flake off in colored bits. I worked with a guy who called them “fruity pebbles.” That is normal! Its just the excess ink and dried skin, but can be freaky to moisturize over and tempting to rub off. Moisturize normally, and just be patient. In one or two days your new tattoo will have a shiny new coat of skin!
This shiny skin is still healing. Please keep moisturizing once the scabs are gone for at least another week. It should be about 3 weeks of moisturizing several times per day.
Wash your tattoo once a day unless you get dirty give it an extra wash.
Avoid direct sunlight, tanning, swimming and soaking in a bath of water (showers only) for at least 2 full weeks. Don’t pick at the scabs. Don’t itch it.
Avoid pet dander, particularly cat hair. Wearing clothing that keeps the tattoo covered its first two days or so will help if you have pets like I do.
Do not rebandage unless I specifically told you to do so.