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Tattoo Aftercare

Contact us with questions after reading or if your tattoo starts to do anything you’re concerned about. 

Congratulations on your new tattoo!!! Now that the hard part’s over, getting your new tattoo, comes the annoying part... healing the tattoo.

The following two weeks are arguably the most essential part of the tattoo process. I say that because I want to stress that THE WAY YOU CARE FOR YOUR NEW TATTOO OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS WILL AFFECT THE WAY IT LOOKS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!

By following these simple steps below, you will significantly enhance the long-term appearance of your tattoo. However, if you are negligent and don't follow these instructions, we assume no responsibility, and we will not be able to honor any guarantee. (You will be responsible for any touch-up costs associated with fixing it if a touch-up is even possible.)

If you have elected to use transparent healing barrier film: Saniderm, SecondSkin, Derm Shield, TegaDerm, or a similar product, congratulations; These products take most of the guesswork out of healing your tattoo and can speed the healing process significantly, giving superior final results. Please refer to the manufacturer's website, listed on the back of the product, for information and techniques. If you have problems or questions, you can contact your artist for assistance.

If you are curious about using these products, talk to your artist before or during your tattoo session. (They must be used when the tattoo is completed and be left on for 5-7 days to be effective. (You can remove the original piece of Transparent Barrier Film after 24-48 hours, then wash the tattoo and use the second piece within 5-10 minutes, ensuring the area remains clean before applying the second piece. Leave this second piece on for an additional 5-7 days or as the manufacturer or your artist recommends.)

Tegaderm Method

(Saniderm, Second Skin, Derm Shield, Transparent bandaid, etc.…)

  1. Clean and dry the tattoo thoroughly.

  2. Cut Saniderm to the desired length and shape. You should account for an extra inch or two on each side of the tattoo to come in contact with un-tattooed, dry skin.

  3. Expose a small section of the sticky side by peeling off the opaque backing.

  4. Smooth Saniderm over the freshly cleaned tattoo as you peel the backing.

  5. Once applied, remove the clear/shiny supportive backing (on the outside). The look of the backing on both front and back does vary by brand.

  6. For best results, the bandage should be flat on the skin with no bubbles or wrinkles. The bandage can leak if not applied properly.

How Does Saniderm Work? 

Saniderm is a medical-grade, breathable, waterproof tattoo bandage, unlike Saran Wrap. Saniderm is engineered to be permeable to gasses like oxygen. These bandages alleviate many of the pitfalls that come with other tattoo healing methods. Saniderm primarily reduces the risk of contaminants entering the wound site of a fresh tattoo. Wearing Saniderm protects the area from unwanted shear/friction and allows the body to keep itself moisturized.

Keep this bandage on for 3-6 days (or as directed by your artist) – the entire six days being ideal. If the skin appears irritated, there is fluid buildup, or the bandage is coming off, removing it sooner rather than later is okay.

  • In the first 24-48 hours, there may be a buildup of blood, ink, and/or plasma underneath the Saniderm. This is completely normal.

  • You do not want to leave the buildup for more than one day.

  • Remove Saniderm when there is buildup, clean and dry the tattooed area, and reapply a fresh piece.

Saniderm Removal

  • To remove Saniderm, find an edge of the bandage and pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth.

  • Your shower is the ideal place to remove Saniderm. Running water will help loosen the adhesive and relax the skin, making the removal much more comfortable.

  • Dry removal of Saniderm may cause discomfort and added trauma to the skin.

  • Discard the used bandage and wash the tattoo with a mild, fragrance-free soap. 

  • Allow the tattoo to air dry or pat dry with a clean towel.

  • Repeat the process, using a new piece of Saniderm starting at step one (see above).

  • If you develop an adverse reaction, discontinue use immediately.

  • Once you remove the Saniderm for good, apply a thin layer of aftercare product to your tattoo if desired. Use a thin layer of petroleum-free moisturizer to help the tattoo retain moisture and itch less. 

Do not reapply any more bandages after the scabbing/flaking phase of tattoo healing has begun. If you find yourself bandage-less during this phase, ensure you keep the area thoroughly moisturized.

If adhesive residue is left over on the skin or the adhesive is not loosening enough with water, coconut oil, and baby oil are helpful for removal.

Caring for Your New Tattoo After Removing Saniderm

Once the bandage has been removed, continue caring for the tattoo by washing and moisturizing as needed until the tattoo is fully healed. The tattoo may appear fully healed on the surface once your Saniderm bandage comes off. However, deeper layers of skin will still be repairing for 2-4 months. We recommend a good moisturizing regimen for this entire period.

Wearing Saniderm While Showering, Swimming, and Exercising

Showering while wearing Saniderm is fine, but it’s best to keep the time spent in the shower to a minimum. Bathing, swimming, or fully submerging a tattoo dressed in Saniderm is strongly discouraged. Light exercise while wearing Saniderm is fine, but avoid activity that causes excessive sweating. Just as water will weaken the adhesion of the bandage, so will sweat and any other significant amount of fluid. Keep the bandage as clean and dry as possible until it’s time to remove it. 

Please call if you have any questions or concerns with these products

The old plastic film (Suran-Wrap) method.

Usually not used unless you have problems with adhesive or Tegaderm products

Please read the following aftercare instructions all the way through, follow these instructions as best you can, and refer back to this page as necessary during the healing process, which usually takes 7-14 days.

Certain instructions below do not apply to those using Saniderm, SecondSkin, Tegaderm, or similar transparent healing barrier film.
(Please refer to the specific manufacturer of the product or their website for proper usage instructions.)
You can also contact your artist with questions at any time.

  1. Remove the bandage/wrappings in no less than 1 hour, but no more than 5 hours, and gently wash the entire area with a mild anti-bacterial soap and warm water. Thoroughly massage the tattoo using only your hands with lathered soap and warm water to remove dried blood and plasma.


    - Do not scrub. Do not re-bandage. AVOID EXTREMELY HOT WATER WHEN WASHING; Warm water works just fine.

  2. Rinse thoroughly, gently pat dry with a clean paper towel, then allow a few minutes of "breathing time" to air dry completely.

  3. Apply mild unscented lotion* VERY LIGHTLY and THIN as needed, Usually 2-4 times a day, with clean hands until fully healed. Always wash your hands before applying lotion or touching the healing tattoo.

    - Applying lotion with un-clean hands is the #1 cause of infection. Infection, even a minor infection, can harm you and destroy a healing tattoo. Germs are everywhere!

    - Always wash hands just before any contact. Otherwise, these germs will enter the open skin in and around the tattoo. Not all germs are nasty, but the bad ones can destroy your tattoo.

  4. Wash, dry, then moisturize your tattoo 2-3 times a day with the same process as above for about three days.

    (Showering counts as one of those cleanings.) If you choose to use a petroleum-based moisturizer, limiting it to the first three days is best. After you stop washing the tattoo daily, switch to a lotion, as mentioned above.

  5. Keep your new tattoo dry and clean until it's healed. Do not touch, pick, scratch, or otherwise irritate the tattoo.

    (Wear clean, loose, unbinding clothing, which can rub or irritate the healing tattoo and ultimately lead to complications or infection.)

  6. ABSOLUTELY NO soaking the tattoo in baths, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, oceans, pools, or any other body of water until fully healed.
    Or, at the very least, until the tattoo has finished flaking and only new skin remains.

    (Aside from using lotion to moisturize as necessary, keep your tattoo as dry as possible until fully healed. Showering is fine, but keep the tattoo out of the water as much as possible while showering to avoid complications. Use caution when showering with tattoos on your lower extremities (feet, ankles, and lower legs). Extremely dirty water tends to collect before draining; this water is full of bacteria and filth from your now clean body and will lead to complications. Remember to pat, never rub, the tattoo dry gently.)

  7. Keep the new tattoo out of the sun for at least four weeks. After that period, use the highest sunblock you can to keep your tattoo from fading.

    - Any and all tanning of the tattoo will cause fading and void any touch-up guarantee. (Tanning beds included.)

    - Do yourself a favor and use sunblock over your tattoo. After your tattoo has healed, your skin will protect the pigment from limited UV exposure. A good rule is never to allow yourself to become sunburned or tanned over your tattoo. While damage to the pigment is rarely immediate, you will notice a significant difference after a few years of sun damage to the tattoo. In addition, the tattoo tends to attract the sun's rays (similar to dark-colored fabric in the sun). The Sun's UV rays not only damage the pigment that makes up your tattoo but will damage the areas of skin over the tattoo much quicker than other areas of your exposed skin.

  8. DO NOT listen to ANYONE but your tattoo artist about the aftercare of your tattoo! Just because something works for someone you know does not mean it will work for you or this tattoo. (The only exception would be a licensed medical professional.)

    - Consult your artist first if you want to try an alternative healing method.

    - If you have questions, contact your artist or another artist at the shop. Your artist knows their tattoos very well; they know the particulars of how they heal and can give you the best advice on healing a tattoo that they gave you. Certain pigments and techniques used by your artist may require special care. Taking the advice of someone other than the artist who did the tattoo could have adverse effects.)

  9. Yes, they are going to be there forever, yes they hurt, yes they make you tough, and no, they don’t make you a bad person.

  10. Contact your artist or another artist at Aloha Salt Lake Tattoos immediately if you have ANY questions, complications, or concerns.
    (Your artist is here to help. Please don't just assume it’s normal or correct! Contact us straight away with any questions or concerns during the healing process. Remember, you only get one shot at this; Do it right.)

  • PLEASE NOTE: Many lotions and/or ointments will work for healing your tattoo. If possible, you will want to use a cream your body is familiar with. You want an unscented (fragrance-free) lotion containing minimal or no alcohol. Brands like Curell, Eucerin, Lubraderm, or Noxema (lotion, not cleanser) work great. Ideally, a new bottle that is travel-sized for easy access while out of your home. If you choose to use a petroleum-based moisturizer such as Vitamin A&D ointment, Bacitracin, or Aquaphor -- Please apply it extremely thin (so thin that your clothes won't even stick to it) and only use it for the first three days. After that, switch to a regular lotion mentioned above. Avoid Triple Antibiotic Ointment (i.e., Neosporin or Polysporin). While certain antibiotic products can help a healing tattoo for the first few days if used properly (Bacitracin), Neosporin (and any other triple antibiotic ointment) is designed to heal a wound, not a tattoo, and often pulls ink/pigment out of your healing tattoo -- Especially if used improperly. It is essential to understand that healing a tattoo must be treated differently than healing a wound. Your body's job is to remove debris embedded in a wound to help prevent infection. But with a tattoo, you want this "debris" in the form of tattoo inks and pigments to remain intact where it was carefully placed.

 

Once something goes wrong with the healing process, stopping or reversing most complications is nearly impossible. If the tattoo scabs, something went wrong, and the tattoo got infected during the healing process. (Usually from bacteria transferred from unclean hands, lotion, clothing, water, or numerous other un-clean sources coming into contact with the healing tattoo.) It is best to let any scabs that form dry out completely... stop using the moisturizer, then let any scab fall off completely naturally. Picking, rubbing, or itching any scab on the tattoo will often pull the underlying ink out, along with the healing skin. This often results in bleeding, worse scabbing, and scarring, which is usually impossible to fix.—ultimately leaving you with something less than ideal on your body permanently.

While some bruising and swelling is common, especially in fleshy areas, sensitive areas, or lower extremities for the first few days, swelling that continues to increase for 3-4 days, develops a red outer edge around the tattooed area (that continues to expand), and feels warm, or hot to the touch could be a sign of infection. It is extremely rare to get an infection from actually getting the tattoo. 99.999% of infected tattoos we have seen have come from simple neglect while caring for the tattoo by either not washing anything that comes into contact with the new tattoo, exposing it to numerous germs, or just ignoring your responsibilities for aftercare and hoping it just heals on its own (we can't stress enough: ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE TOUCHING IT, OR APPLYING ANY LOTION OR OINTMENT, EVEN IF YOU THINK IT'S HEALED ENOUGH). That being said, if it is infected, in whole or just smaller areas, there is nothing I can do for you… It could be time to consult your healthcare provider, depending on the severity of the infection and how your body reacts to it. But remember, most doctors rarely see infected tattoos, and their job is to heal you as quickly as possible and scare you so you don't make foolish mistakes again. Often, their advice and prescriptions and the infection destroy the tattoo during the healing process. So do yourself a favor, follow these instructions, and all will be well.

You only have one shot at this. Do not overdo it! Follow the instructions above, no more, no less, and you will have a beautiful tattoo you will enjoy for the rest of your life.

Again, contact your artist immediately if you have any questions, concerns, or complications. While we are not doctors and cannot offer medical advice, we have seen nearly every complication that can arise from a healing tattoo. While certain complications can be expected, as long as you follow the instructions provided, most complications will be avoided, and it is highly unlikely that you will have any problems.
 

Healing tips:

  • When your tattoo starts to itch, please don't scratch it. Doing so can easily damage the skin, causing infection or, at the very least, pull pigment out of the fresh tattoo. Instead, with clean hands, gently slap the itching area with minimal force. This usually eliminates the itching sensation. Sometimes, you will have to slap it a few times. You can itch around the tattoo, but you risk damaging the edges. Try a lotion with lidocaine or consult your healthcare provider if it gets bad.

  • Wear clean, dark-colored clothing over your tattoo the first few nights. It is a normal part of the healing process for some pigment and a plasma/blood mixture to seep out of a fresh healing tattoo for the first few days. This will ruin your sheets and or lighter-colored fabrics. It does not wash out.

  • Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or similar NSAIDs can help with the initial pain and swelling. Some pain and swelling is normal, especially in the lower extremities. Taking Tylenol, Aleve, Ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs can help relieve some symptoms. If your tattoo continues to swell and/or throb when standing up or exerting yourself, it could be a sign of infection. If symptoms don't improve over the first couple of days, you should contact your artist or medical professional for advice.

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