Tattoo Aftercare

Proper aftercare is essential to keeping your new tattoo looking its best. Follow these instructions from your artist for the best healing results.

Before Your Tattoo

A little preparation goes a long way toward a smooth session and better healing.

  • Eat a small meal beforehand to keep your blood sugar stable.
  • Stay hydrated — drink plenty of water leading up to your appointment.
  • Blood thinners such as aspirin or ibuprofen are fine, but avoid heavy drinking up to 12 hours before your session as it may affect bleeding and healing.

Saniderm Aftercare

Allergy notice: If you have an allergy to tapes, adhesives, or bandaids, please do not use Saniderm. Follow the traditional aftercare instructions below instead.

Saniderm, sometimes called "second skin," is a medical-grade transparent bandage that protects your new tattoo while it heals. It creates a sealed environment that keeps out bacteria and irritants.

How to Use Saniderm

  • Leave Saniderm on for 3–5 days.
  • You can shower like normal during that time.
  • Avoid using a loofah or washrag near the Saniderm — it might accidentally pull it off. Just use your hands and some antibacterial soap.

What to Expect

As your tattoo heals, the Saniderm will fill with some plasma. It may look brown or black under the bandage. This is completely normal — your tattoo is not smudging or falling out.

Reactions

It's very rare, but some people do have a reaction to Saniderm. You'll know this if the skin around the Saniderm changes color or if it feels like a slight burn. If this happens, remove the Saniderm immediately and switch to the traditional aftercare method below.

Avoid Soaking

Avoid soaking your new tattoo for about 10 days — no baths, hot tubs, swimming, etc.

Traditional Aftercare

The First Night

Leave your bandage on overnight. After removing it, there's no need to re-bandage. Let your tattoo breathe and live its best life.

Washing Your Tattoo

  • Wash with warm to hot water.
  • Use antibacterial soap — like the pump Dial your grandma has by the bathroom sink.
  • Use only your hands. A loofah or washrag will feel like sandpaper on your new tattoo.

Moisturizing

Let the tattoo dry completely before applying lotion. Lotion is for your comfort — it does not heal the tattoo. If it's so itchy you can't stand it, go ahead and apply some.

  • Avoid lotions with added scents and dyes.
  • Apply lotion sparingly — if it looks like there's barely any on there, that's about perfect.

Recommended Lotions

  • Lubriderm
  • Gold Bond
  • Aveeno
  • Nivea

Too much lotion? Putting an excessive amount of lotion on will suffocate your tattoo and make it take longer to heal. Signs of too much lotion include small pimple-like bumps, almost like ingrown hairs. If you see this, wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap and let it dry out. The bumps should go away within a couple of days.

Avoid Soaking

Avoid soaking your new tattoo for about 10 days — no baths, hot tubs, swimming, etc.