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Aftercare
After your tattoo session, it is important that you take these steps to taking care of your tattoo. Otherwise, you may risk your tattoo fading or even getting infected. You will need to purchase Aquaphor and Antibacterial Soap if you do not have it already. Tattoos take around 14 days to heal.
1
Derm Shield
Upon finishing your tattoo, your artist will clean the tattooed surface and place a see-through bandage on it. This adhesive bandage is a "derm shield" from Recovery Aftercare. It is latex-free and allows your tattoo to breathe while protecting it. Do not be alarmed if your bandage fills with liquid, blood and ink may fill under the bandage and is completely normal. Unless the adhesive is peeling off, it is recommended to leave it on for several days, you can even shower in it! Do not wear the bandage longer than a week. When it is time to remove your bandage, remove it with antibacterial soap under running water.
2
Anti-Bacterial Soap
When you remove your adhesive bandage wash the tattoo gently with scentless antibacterial soap. You should wash the area with the scentless antibacterial soap once a day for two weeks to ensure that an infection will not occur during the healing process.
3
Aquaphor
For the first 5 days after removing the adhesive bandage, you should be applying a thin layer of Aquaphor to the tattooed skin. There are several ointments that people tend to use, Aquaphor is the only one you should be using because it will not suffocate your new tattoo. Only a very thin layer is needed to keep the tattoo from getting too dry and peeling too much. If you notice that your tattoo is peeling, that is completely normal. However, DO NOT PULL AT PEELING SKIN. You will damage the tattoo. Apply several times a day for 5 days.
4
Scentless Lotion
When your 5 days of applying Aquaphor are over you can put scentless lotion on your new tattoo. Gently spread a thin layer of the scentless lotion over your tattoo when you notice it is dry. After your tattoo is 2 weeks old, you can resume use of your regular soaps and lotions.
5
For Two Weeks!
Throughout the 2 weeks that your tattoo is healing, it is important to be mindful what you are exposing it to. For two weeks do not submerge the tattoo in water (or any liquid), expose the tattoo to sunlight, or partake in activities that will cause the skin to be exposed to friction or germs.