Healing your tattoo is easy! You will receive a large bandage that will fully cover your tattoo. This bandage will briefly absorb any blood, plasma, and rejected ink that is exuded. I will give you instructions on when to remove this bandaged based off of your tattoo.

FOR SECOND SKIN PATCHES: Leave on for 3 - 4 days before removing, unless instructed otherwise. For most they provide a safe and easy method to protect and heal your new tattoo. Saniderm patches will fill up with blood, plasma, and any rejected ink that is being exuded from your new tattoo; Not all the ink is falling out of your skin, only a small amount, and this is completely normal. Remove after the instructed amount of time by your Tattooer. Do so under warm water, in the sink or in the shower, by pulling it off of the skin in a parallel direction to your body to minimize any discomfort. If before the suggested removal time the saniderm path has already mostly peeled off, OR if it is feeling extremely tight and becoming painful, OR beginning to burn and possibly form a rash on the fresh tattoo, wash your hands and begin to remove it. If it is placed in an area that is difficult to reach, ask help from a friend who washes their hands before starting, or contact the studio.

FOR SOAKER PATCHES: Those that have very sensitive skin or allergies to adhesives will receive a large gauze 'soaker' pad which is meant to briefly absorb any blood, plasma, and rejected ink exuded after the tattoo. 1 - 3 hours after your tattoo has been wrapped up and you've left the shop, remove the soaker pads.

WASH OFF THE TATTOO GENTLY, as well as the surrounding skin, once the soaker pad or the second skin patch has been removed. Use a mild and non-scented anti-bacterial soap. Allow it to air dry for 1-2 hours, then apply a thin layer of aquaphor to the surface of the tattoo. Do not allow the aquaphor to sit, work it into the skin slowly until the ink no longer appears hazy. Repeat this process morning and night for the next 2 days before switching to a non-scented lotion (such as Jergans, Cetaphyl, Aveeno, Eucarin). Keep your tattoo moisturized to prevent scabbing, but also be careful to not over-moisturize and prevent the skin from healing; Always allow your tattoo to completely dry out for several hours before applying the aquaphor or the lotion, preferably in the morning after waking up, and at night shortly before going to bed.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR TATTOO, the first few days of healing are critical to not just preserving the quality of your work, but also to keep yourself protected from the possibility of an infection. Watch for signs and symptoms of infection, including, but not limited to, redness, swelling, and/or tenderness of the procedure site. These can be normal, but if you find that you are exhibiting one or more signs of infection and are concerned for your condition please consult your artist. Seek medical care immediately if your symptoms reflect red streaks going from the procedure site towards your heart, elevated body temperature, or purulent drainage from the procedure site, which are all indicators that your tattoo is infected.

AFTER ABOUT A WEEK, your tattoo will begin to peel and itch; do nothing other than continue to gently apply lotion. Any scratching will damage the tattoo and cause ink to fall out and/or put you at risk for opening up the wound again. After 14 days, you may discontinue usage of lotion or return to your normal routine of application. At this point, your tattoo should be nearly finished healing, still avoid itching it, and remain gentle to the area until the ink no longer appears shiny on your skin.

THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE HEALING PROCESS, do your best to keep your tattoo from getting any scratches and abrasions. Try not to expose your tattoo to the sun or any bacterial risks (contact with animals/ animal saliva, soil, scum, etc.). DO NOT soak your tattoo in the shower, bath, or ocean (water rolling over it or washing it off is fine). DO NOT submerge the tattoo in a hot tub. DO NOT apply a secondary bandage of any type after the one(s) we supply you with are removed. Follow these guidelines for AT LEAST 2 weeks. It should be safe to say your tattoo is completely healed after 3 - 4 weeks.

PLEASE REACH OUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS!