☼ Tattoo Aftercare ☼
Thank you for letting me adorn your
skin. If you have any questions not answered here or feedback, send me an
email at singlepickles@gmail.com. If you need a touch up, check my availability on Instagram and send me an email in our tattoo thread.
Thank you!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. If at any point, your tattoo starts to ache, swell, ooze, or otherwise look alarming, please contact a medical professional.
☼ After our completed appointment and with your consent, I will cover your tattoo with a breathable waterproof bandage (Dermshield) and send you home with a second piece of bandage.
☼ You will keep the first bandage on your tattoo for the first 24 to 48 hours after our appointment. To remove the bandage, take a warm shower. You will pull the bandage from one corner upwards, slowly. You can use a mild soap to loosen the adhesive. Discard the bandage in the garbage. Wash your tattoo and surrounding area with a mild soap (I recommend unscented Dr.Bronner’s) and rinse thoroughly. Pat the area with a clean paper towel to dry. Apply the second bandage given to you at the appointment with clean hands. **DO NOT APPLY MOISTURIZER UNDER THE BANDAGE. CLEAN, DRY SKIN ONLY**
☼ Keep the second bandage on your tattoo for the next three to five days. Remove as before after the allotted time.
☼ Wash the area twice a day with mild soap and pat dry for the next week, or until the skin is no longer flaky and feels like normal skin. I recommend moisturizing once a day, or whenever your skin feels tight/itchy. Wear loose clothing around the tattooed area to protect it from contact with the outside world until the first layer of skin is healed.
☼ Avoid exercising/excessive sweating, direct sunlight, sweating, submerging the tattoo, scratching the area, and tight clothing on the affected area.
☼ If you have a reaction to Dermshield or request not to use Dermshield, I recommend wearing clothing over the tattooed area until the first layer of skin has healed (no more flaking and it feels like normal skin). Do what you can to avoid contact between the tattoo and the outside. Only handle your tattoo with clean hands.
Thank you!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. If at any point, your tattoo starts to ache, swell, ooze, or otherwise look alarming, please contact a medical professional.
MKP-conscious Aftercare Recommendations:
☼ After our completed appointment and with your consent, I will cover your tattoo with a breathable waterproof bandage (Dermshield) and send you home with a second piece of bandage.
☼ You will keep the first bandage on your tattoo for the first 24 to 48 hours after our appointment. To remove the bandage, take a warm shower. You will pull the bandage from one corner upwards, slowly. You can use a mild soap to loosen the adhesive. Discard the bandage in the garbage. Wash your tattoo and surrounding area with a mild soap (I recommend unscented Dr.Bronner’s) and rinse thoroughly. Pat the area with a clean paper towel to dry. Apply the second bandage given to you at the appointment with clean hands. **DO NOT APPLY MOISTURIZER UNDER THE BANDAGE. CLEAN, DRY SKIN ONLY**
☼ Keep the second bandage on your tattoo for the next three to five days. Remove as before after the allotted time.
☼ Wash the area twice a day with mild soap and pat dry for the next week, or until the skin is no longer flaky and feels like normal skin. I recommend moisturizing once a day, or whenever your skin feels tight/itchy. Wear loose clothing around the tattooed area to protect it from contact with the outside world until the first layer of skin is healed.
☼ Avoid exercising/excessive sweating, direct sunlight, sweating, submerging the tattoo, scratching the area, and tight clothing on the affected area.
☼ If you have a reaction to Dermshield or request not to use Dermshield, I recommend wearing clothing over the tattooed area until the first layer of skin has healed (no more flaking and it feels like normal skin). Do what you can to avoid contact between the tattoo and the outside. Only handle your tattoo with clean hands.
Second
Skin (Derm Shield)
What is Derm Shield?
From the website, “Effortlessly protect your new tattoos with Recovery Derm Shield, a latex-free, transparent matte film adhesive bandage. Derm Shield offers maximum breathability and flexibility, providing optimal conditions for flawless, gentle healing and skin renewal. It eliminates scabbing and reduces the risk of scarring, while preventing exposure to bacteria, dirt, and abrasion. Derm Shield is waterproof, but permeable to allow skin perspiration, and it is durable enough to keep up with your everyday activities with a peace of mind and body. Preserving tattoo vibrancy, our Derm Shield allows your skin to breathe and heal the right way.”
How long do I keep the bandage on for?
Up to 5 days. For my body, I take it off at 2-3 days, but this can vary for everyone because everyone’s body is different.
What happens if I have a leak/lifting/irritation/chafing?
If you notice a leak in your Derm Shield seal or chafing (redness, soreness, itchiness, etc.) around the edges, take the bandage off immediately and follow the instructions below.
How do I remove Derm Shield?
I highly advise taking a warm shower before attempting to remove the protective bandage to loosen the adhesive. In any case, you'll want to remove the bandage pulling with the grain of your hair starting from the corner. Do not pull upwards. If you feel any pain while removing the bandage (especially around softer areas), give yourself a breather and try holding your skin taught to mitigate the pulling sensation. As soon as the bandage is off, gently wash the area under an indirect stream with warm water and mild/unscented soap. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion/balm as needed.
General Healing Practices
How long will my tattoo take to heal?
Two weeks is a general timeline, but a tattoo can take 4 to 6 weeks to fully settle (no raised or flaky skin). You'll notice the skin is irritated for the first couple of days, but the swelling and tenderness should resolve itself within the first week. With my pokes, clients have said the swelling and redness go away after a day or two.
What do I need to clean my tattoo?
I highly suggest gathering your aftercare products before your tattoo appointment to reduce any stress about cleaning later on. You’ll need unscented/mild soap, clean paper towels, and an unscented lotion/balm. On my body, I heal best with unscented Dr.Bronner’s or Cetaphil, and Vaseline Advanced Repair or Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula. If you are on a tight budget, all of these items come in travel sizes, which is enough for the entire two week healing time.
How do I clean my tattoo?
Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo. Gently wash your tattoo under an indirect stream with warm water and unscented/mild soap. Use a clean paper towel to pat the area dry, or wait 15 minutes to air dry before applying a *thin* layer of unscented lotion/balm. Clean your tattoo at least twice a day (in the morning and before bed) and any time you get the area dirty/sweaty. I recommend moisturizing once a day or whenever needed (the area feels itchy/tight).
My tattoo is itchy. What can I do?
Itching is a normal sign of healing. Do not pick at any scabs or flakes coming off of your tattoo. If you feel itchy or dry, clean the area and apply a *thin* layer of unscented lotion/balm with clean hands.
What do I need to avoid while my tattoo is healing?
Direct sunlight. Submerging in water (sauna, gym, hot tub, etc.). Tight clothing around the tattooed area.