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Tattoo Healing tips & Tricks

Here are some general ground rules when it comes to healing your brand new tattoo. these will apply regardless of the healing route you choose until your new tattoo is ready:

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  • No Bathtubs, pools or submerging of any kind in big bodies of water until your tattoo has fully healed. (4-6 weeks)

  • Limit your sun exposure and keep your tattoo covered while it is healing. (4-6 weeks)

  • Limit any heavy physical activity/exercise that results in sweating while your tattoo is healing (about 1 week)

  • Do not scratch, itch or pick at your new tattoo when/if it starts to scab. This could result in ink not showing up in specific areas.

Saniderm/Second Skin/Tegiderm

Saniderm is a clear bandage that is made to resemble another protective layer, like your skin, and will aid in a quicker healing process. The goal is to keep the bandage on for a full five days, but if you only make it 2-3 days, all of the tips below still apply. Here are some guidelines:

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  • Beginning: For the firs two days, it is common to see a pool or "ink sack" of fluids form underneath the bandage. If it breaks through/seeps out and you dont have a spare bandage, follow the "old Fashioned Way" instructions. If you have a backup piece of saniderm, remove the old bandage and replace with the new one.

  • Saniderm CAN get wet, so you have the ability to shower without any worries of it effecting your tattoo. (not bathtubs or submerging)

  • Removal: when it's time to remove your saniderm, I reccommend doing it in the shower with lukewarm water. If you need some extra assistance, a small amount of coconut oil can be used around the edges. Peel the bandage off in a similar way you would peel a command strip off of a wall ( start at the bottom of your tattoo, pull downwards and out away from you in the directiopn your hair grows.) Do not peel from the top. Once removed, clean off any excess dried fluids from your tattoo with antibacterial soap and pat dry with a paper towel. 

  • After: Moisturize your tattoo 2-3 times a day as needed with a fragrance free lotion to bring moisture back to the area.

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The old fashioned way

Soaker pads are large bandages/pads placed on the tattoo to help soak up any blood or plasma that may seep from your tattoo post appointment. These are removed around 4-6 hours or the next day after your session, and require a little more maintenance work for aftercare. Here are some guidelines:

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  • Beginning: Try to keep this bandage on for around 4-6 hours after your appointment, but we recommend keeping it on overnight if you have pets in your home. This will help keep any dirt, debris or hair from getting in or around your fresh tattoo. Remember, this is still a fresh, OPEN, wound.

  • Removal: Remove the bandage the next morning (wash your hands beforehand!) and clean with a fragrance free, antibacterial soap. Be gentle with it! Once clean, pat dry with a clean paper towel. DO NOT USE REUSABLE TOWELS - THESE CAN HARBOUR BACTERIA.

  • After: Continue to wash 2-3 times a day for the next week until you reach the scabbing phase, then you can switch to gently washing it in the shower. For the first 2-3 days, after cleansing, apply a thin layer of aquaphor over your tattoo. Don't oversaturate the area. After that beginning period, you can switch to using a fragrance free, gentle lotion.

  • If you don't have any adhesive allergies and typically like using saniderm to heal your tattoos, feel free to apply a bandage after removing the bandage from the previouis day.

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