Tattoo aftercare is important to protect your tattoo and ensure that the tattoo design stays crisp and brilliant. Proper tattoo aftercare is essential for keeping the tattoo looking amazing for years to come and preventing infection.
At Barak Studios: Custom Tattoos & Art Studio, I make sure that your tattoo is protected from the moment you leave the studio with Derm Shield tattoo bandage. Upon completion of your tattoo, you will have a piece of Derm Shield tattoo bandage applied to your tattoo. I encourage tattoo clients to wear the bandage for 48 hours. You will notice that fluid will collect underneath your tattoo bandage after the first 24 hours. This is a combination of plasma, ink, and blood- which is completely normal and part of the tattoo healing process. In some cases, there may be a larger amount of fluid in which case you may have to remove the tattoo bandage after 24 hours. While you are wearing the tattoo bandage, please avoid excessive sweating or exercise as they will prematurely lift the adhesive of the bandage.
Side note: In lieu of the directions that follow, you may exclusively heal the tattoo using Derm Shield tattoo bandage. Derm Shield promotes a faster healing time and leaves less room for error during the tattoo healing process. Derm Shield is available for purchase at Barak Studios, or you may follow the healing guidelines below.
To remove the Derm Shield tattoo bandage, it is best to do so in a hot shower as the steam helps to lift the adhesive of the tattoo bandage. Gently pull the tattoo bandage away from the skin as you let the hot water run over the area. Wash the tattoo gently and thoroughly with your clean fingertips using a mild, unscented soap. Once you are done showering, have disposable paper towels available to pat the tattoo dry. DO NOT USE A CLOTH TOWEL TO DRY YOUR TATTOO. Cloth towels harbor bacteria that may cause infection and other complications in tattoos. After drying the tattoo thoroughly using disposable paper towels, use a non-scented lotion (I prefer Aveeno because it contains oatmeal which prevents itching) and gently work it into the skin until the lotion disappears. Depending on the size of the tattoo, you may only need a pea-sized amount for smaller tattoos (4 to 5 inches) while larger tattoos will require more lotion.
From this point on, continue to wash the tattoo with a mild soap, dry the tattoo with a paper towel, and apply a mild lotion to the tattoo two to three times per day until the tattoo heals. Healing times generally take 14 days. Avoid direct sunlight or submerging the tattoo under any body of water (lakes, oceans, baths, hot tubs, etc.) during this time. If you have pets, please avoid direct contact with pets near the tattoo as pet dander harbors bacteria which causes complications and infections.
When the tattoo is fully healed, you may use a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher to protect your tattoo from direct sunlight. The sun’s UV rays are a tattoo’s worst enemy. Sunscreen will help your tattoo stay bright and vibrant for years to come.