Aftercare
Healing Is Half the Work
How your tattoo looks six months from now comes down to the weeks right after your session. Everyone heals a little differently, so treat this as the general guide for an average heal. If your piece needs any extra steps, Rob will go over them with you, and reach out any time something looks or feels off.
First 3–12 HoursLeave the first wrap on. Take it off once you can properly wash it, no sooner than 3 hours and no later than 12. Wash with a mild antibacterial soap and warm water, rinse the slimy coating off with cool water, pat dry with a clean paper towel, and let it air out for about 10 minutes.
Days 1–3Keep it wrapped and wash every 4 to 6 hours, up to 8 hours overnight, or any time you sweat. After each wash let it fully air dry, massage in a very thin layer of ointment for a light satin shine, then re-wrap with a fresh piece.
Days 3–7Once it stops forming that slimy coating and only body moisture is left, stop wrapping. Keep the thin layer of ointment going until the skin starts to flake like a sunburn. Do not pick at it.
Peeling PhaseStop the ointment. Switch to a fragrance-free lotion 3 to 4 times a day until the skin feels normal again. It will look dry, dull, and itchy for a bit, and that is normal.
Weeks 2–3Flaking and peeling should be finished. No soaking, swimming, saunas, or steam rooms until it is fully done. Texas health guidelines call for at least a 2 week wait.
Weeks 3–4 +The surface is healed and elasticity comes back around 3 to 4 weeks. Ease back into training, keep the skin moisturized and hydrated, and put 60 SPF on it any time it sees the sun. Swing by for a check-in and we will handle any small touch-up.
What Rob keeps on hand
A mild antibacterial soap such as Dial Gold or Opti-Scrub for cleaning, a healing ointment like Redemption in a thin layer only, and once you hit the peeling phase a fragrance-free lotion such as Lubriderm for Sensitive Skin. For very dry spots you can add a little Avocado Oil or step up to a heavier Lubriderm. Keep everything fragrance-free.
Moisture Bubbles & Scabs
Little bubbles in the first few days usually mean too much ointment or not enough cleaning. Clean the area, let it fully dry, and only put ointment on the parts without bubbles. If a scab forms, keep it lightly moisturized during peeling and never pick it or soak it off.
Moisture Rash
Too much wrap on the surrounding skin, or leaving a wrap on too long, can cause bright red irritation with tiny pimples that itch and sting. Ice it for no more than 20 minutes at a time over the wrap. If that does not help, unwrap it, clean it, let it dry, and switch to ointment on the tattoo only.
Using Saniderm?
If you are healing with Saniderm instead of the wrap-and-wash method, the steps are different. Text or call Rob and he will walk you through exactly what to do for your piece.
Call the studio if you notice
Redness that keeps spreading, heat coming off the piece, red streaks running outward, swelling that gets worse after a few days, fever, or any discharge that is not clear fluid. Reach out to Rob first so he can take a look, and see a physician if needed. In Texas you can also report a reaction to the Dept. of State Health Services at 1-888-839-6676.
