After-Care

Second Skin Care (Sterile Bandage) Instructions:

Avoid sweating/heat and stretching the new tattoo to avoid injuring the damaged skin under the wrap.
Wash on top of the wrap once in the morning, and once at night.
Dab dry and apply a SUPER THIN layer of unscented lotion, coconut oil, or vitamin E oil. Do this for the next 7 days.
If the wrap doesn't feel tight or itchy, adding moisturizer is not necessary.
DO NOT remove the wrap without letting your artist know!
If it's bugging you or looking crazy, text and send a picture to your artist and we'll let you know what to do ( if anything).
keep the wrap on for 3-5 days, but no more than 7days. GENTLY pull off the wrap under cool/ room temperature running water by pulling/stretching down parallel to your skin, do not lift up and away from your body.
Sometimes it'll feel like it is pulling off the tattoo. This is the dead skin and excess ink being pulled away.
Let us know if you have ANY questions or concerns via text.

Patching:

Sweating or over-plasma production may occur.
If you notice the wrap is moving or there is a large bubble of liquid, you will need to drain and patch your second skin.
Wash on top of your sterile bandage with antibacterial soap.
Pinch up the center if bubble and cut off the top of it with sterile scissors.
Dab dry with a paper towel to get out any excess fluid.
Make sure area surrounding the hole is dry on top.
Apply the patches given to you immediately after.
Slightly bend the white paper side of the second-skin patch on the line to separate and peel off, exposing the sticky side.
Smoothly lay it over the hole created, making sure its completely covered.
Remove the top layer of second skin ( transparent with black +'s ) by pulling away from the yellow arrows, using your other hand to keep it from lifting off the skin if necessary.
If you're uncomfortable with this process or have trouble with it, please let us know and we can rewrap or patch it for you!

Ointment Care:

Keep bandage on for 1- 2 hours.
Remove bandage and thoroughly clean tattoo with antibacterial soap and cold-lukewarm water. Shower if necessary, avoid hot water.
Pat dry with CLEAN towel, paper towel, or air dry.
With clean hands, apply THIN (chapstick thinness) layer of antibiotic aftercare ointment or cream . Meow Meow Tattoo Balm or any tattoo specified balm/cream is recommended. Please let your artist know if you plan to use an alternative ointment and make sure it's okay for your tattoo.
Apply ointment with clean hands 2-5/day , or as needed in order to have it LIGHTLY hydrated at all times for 7 days. Use lotion for 7+ days after that.
Gently wash tattoo twice daily (morning and night) , and as needed.
EVERYTHING touching your healing tattoo needs to be clean: clothes, sheets, towels, hands, etc
Wear light, loose, minimal friction/rubbing garments or footwear.
Avoid sun and heat exposure 1-2 weeks, including shower temperature.
DO NOT submerge in water (bath, swimming, etc. ) untill fully healed, roughly 1-2 weeks.
DO NOT use body-wash or scrubs on tattoo until healed.
DO NOT scratch or assist peeling of tattoo.
Peeling may or may not occur, but is a completely normal sign of healthy healing.
Scabbing will occur if you don't keep your tattoo hydrated at all times, and/or you continue to injure your healing tattoo (bumping, scratching, bending/stretching, heat exposure, rough cleaning, etc). This will make your tattoo more susceptible to infection, and longer heal time. DO NOT pick at scab.
Let us know if you have ANY questions or concerns at any time.
If necessary use a sterile bandage or other sterile dressing. Consult artist.
Any concerns or signs of infection IMMEDIATELY text and send a picture to your artist and we'll let you know what to do.
If serious symptoms of infection or allergic reaction occur consult a health care practitioner immediately.
To report complaints or inquiries contact The Texas Department of State Health Services at 1-888-839-6676

Healed Tattoo Care:

The epidermis (top layer of skin) takes roughly 3-7 days to heal.
The Dermis (middle layer, where your tattoo ink is) can take 4-6 weeks to fully heal, in some cases longer (unhealthy skin, damage or infection while healing).
Healthy skin will heal quicker and keep your tattoo looking bold and bright for years to come.
Follow our Pre-Care instructions for best long term care.