After care instructions
general after care instructions and tips with and without an adhesive wrap.
Adhesive Wrap (Dermor) after care instructions:
Please note the adhesive wraps are water resistant not waterproof. Pleaseeeee shower as you normally would during the healing process. It is fine if they get wet in the shower, you just cannot submerge the wrap under any type of water. So no pools, baths, or ocean water during the healing process of the tattoo, this also applies if you choose to not have an adhesive wrap.
Leave wrap on for 5-7 days. (3 days minimum)
Remove slowly in shower with warm water and clean with a non scented antibacterial liquid soap. Example: Dial Gold
Dry with clean paper towel or let air dry.
Apply non scented lotion.
Follow “healing instructions without wrap” for approximately 1-2 weeks after removing the wrap.
Healing instructions without adhesive wrap:
WASH YOUR HANDS
Wash tattoo with warm water and non scented antibacterial soap (Example: Dial Gold)
Pat dry with clean paper towel or let air dry.
Apply non scented lotion in the same way you would anywhere by rubbing it in all the way
Repeat 2-3 times a day for approximately 2-3 weeks
It is ok to wash it more frequently if you feel that it is necessary due to the nature of your job or if you feel like it is dirty. Just be sure to apply lotion after each wash to ensure your tattoo does not dry out too much.
Tips:
Remove wrap towards the end of your shower to help loosen it up.
If you have any of the adhesive stuck to your skin when you remove the wrap, apply a little extra lotion on the sticky areas before you go to bed and then take a shower again in the morning and it should come off easier.
Please leave the wrap on for a minimum of 3 days unless it is leaking or causing pain or irritation.
Please remove wrap if it is leaking, casing pain or irritation, or if any of the tattoo becomes exposed from under the wrap (ex: the wrap peels off and part of your fresh tattoo is no longer covered. If this happens it can cause bacteria and other things to get trapped underneath the wrap and put you at a higher risk of infection).
Do Not!
Do not pick at your tattoo at anytime during the healing process… or ever
Do not go to the beach, pool, or hot tub with a fresh tattoo. There are flesh eating bacteria in the ocean and other waters!
Do not over moisturize your tattoo by putting globs of lotion or ointments on it. Only apply as much lotion as you would if you were putting it on normally.
Do not let your tattoo dry out too much. The better you take care of your skin during and after the healing process the better your tattoo will heal and hold up over time.
If at any point you think your tattoo is infected please see a doctor immediately!
Products I recommend and where to get them.
Products i’ve used that I like.
If your looking for aftercare products that I have used and recommend for an easier healing process this is the place for you :)
I order a majority of my supplies from Electrum Tattoo Supply. They are a great smaller family owned business. I am not sponsored by them in any way but I try to support the smaller companies as much as possible <3
If you have a busy life style, are getting a tattoo in a area that may be more difficult to clean multiple times a day without hopping in the shower Electrum Gold Standard Foaming Wash and Aftercare and Electrum Cleanse Tattoo Cleanser & Rinse Solution are great products to use.
I typically have Electrum DERMOR Protective Dermal Armor on hand but I do occasionally run out. If you are someone getting a lot of work done by me or were working on a large product feel free to order a roll for yourself to bring with you just in case i’m waiting for an oder to come in :) it works great for cuts and scapes also! I know a lot of you have told me you will purchase it from the store occasionally but you get a lot more bang for your buck by purchasing a roll instead of small sheets. This is also good to have if we are working on bigger tattoos because sometimes with more saturated tattoos it is better to replace the first wrap after 24 hours if you have a significant amount of fluid build up. Its ok and normal for fluid to build up under the wrap but if it begins to leak at all it need to be removed as soon as possible. By replacing the wrap after the first day you should have less fluid build up and allow the wrap to stay on better. If you do happen to need a replacement wrap you can always come in and I will put a new one on for you if I have some or you can bring some with you.
A lot of you ask me what the white stuff I rub on the skin while i’m tattooing is and here ya go haha! Its called Crybaby Tattoo Glide I use it during the tattoo process to lubricate the needles creating a more comfortable tattoo experience and it creates an oil and water type of effect on the skin with the ink allowing it to stay in a little blob instead of of spreading all over the surface of the skin, allowing me to see what i’m doing better. It is also great for keeping the skin moisturized and promotes healing so it is a great product to use during the aftercare process or for a regular part of your skin care routine. I know everyone always says non scented lotions and that is true in regard to every day lotions so if you are someone who enjoys all things scented and smelling good you will love this stuff because it smells like frosting! Rest assured if smelling like a cupcake isn’t your vibe and you want to still try it they do have a different scent, GothBaby, but I have not tried that one so I am not sure what it smells like but i’m sure it smells equally as great! You can also order crybaby from electrum but I have noticed they have been out of stock lately so I have been ordering it directly from the source.
If you are getting a tattoo on your arms or lower legs and you are worried about it getting infected or messed up during the healing process due to the nature of your job, I recommend ordering some of these single use disposable arm covers or leg covers from amazon. These are great to use if you need an extra barrier just please do not re-use them and change them frequently if they get soiled.
What type of supplies do I use?
For anyone who have any allergies and want to check the ingredients of the products I use.
My main goal is to give my clients the best quality tattoos I can provide and I have spent a lot of time researching and testing different products on myself. I don’t believe in using anything on my clients that I personally wouldn’t use or want someone else to use on me. I am not one to gate keep what I am using on my clients and I think it is important to know for those of you who may have allergies you are able to see here what products I use and can let me know ahead of time if I need to make any accommodations for you prior to your appointment. If there is something you are allergic to in anything I use please let me know and I will do my best to find something different to use instead :)
For all of my line work/black shading/ dot work I use “Allegory” brand Inks and for color I mostly use the brand “Solid”.
Tattoo glide is used during the tattoo process to help reduce friction and lubricate the needles I mainly use Crybaby brand tattoo glide but if I am out or if you have an allergy to something I can use a&d instead. I also use their stencil application gel.
I use green soap to clean the skin throughout the tattoo process.
How to prepare for your tattoo appointment.
what to do prior to your appointment
Before your tattoo appointment, please hydrate and get rest! Eat a filling meal before your session, and feel free to bring a bottle of water or snacks with you if you need a snack break :) We also usually have soda and bottles of water available for you to purchase if you forget or get thirsty.
Bring anything that will make your experience more comfortable (small blanket or jacket, pillow, headphones, ect.) If you are getting a tattoo on your stomach, back, chest, or ribs I recommend wearing/bringing a long sleeve button down shirt or jacket that fully unzips from the front.
Skincare is also important prior to getting a tattoo! If you are sunburnt or the skin is currently damaged or peeling in the area you are getting tattooed I will not be able to do your tattoo until your skin is fully healed. If this occurs please let me know so we can reschedule your appointment. Exfoliating and moisturizing your skin regularly before your appointment will also be beneficial to your new tattoo! The better you take care of your skin before and after your tattoo the better they will heal and hold up over time.
Alcohol and Caffeine in large amounts before and after the tattoo process can affect how your tattoo heals. They thin your blood and can cause you to bleed more than you may normally when getting a tattoo.
If you are sick or actively fighting an infection of some sort please contact me to reschedule your appointment! It not only will be harder for your body to heal a tattoo if you are trying to heal something else in or on your body, but I also have POTS, which makes it much more difficult for me to recover if I get sick. As a tattoo artist I am an independent contractor, I do not get paid time off or accommodation for sick days so if you suspect you may be sick please just reach out to reschedule. I have a non refundable deposit policy but I will allow you to reschedule if you reach out to me within a reasonable amount of time <3