At the end of your appointment, we’ll dive into the best After Care options for your fresh ink! Generally, we recommend using Recovery Derm for that smooth healing journey. Below are drop-down instruction menus for how to properly heal your tattoo.

If you have any questions or need any clarification, email your artist directly. We’re here to make sure your tattoo journey is as colorful as your new ink! 🌈

  • If you were sent home in temporary wrapping:

    Cleaning:

    -Tonight, before bed, remove the temporary wrap. Wash the tattoo with unscented soap, don't scrub, but using the pads of your fingers massage off any excess blood/pigment/plasma. Pat the tattoo dry with a paper towel, apply a tiny bit of unscented lotion (less is more, I'd prefer too little, even none, than too much). Reapply a temporary wrap immediately afterward (temporary wraps are saran wrap and black pads, you can just do saran, but I suggest wearing the black pads especially for sleeping as they are absorbent and help reduce leakage). I suggest wearing darker or older clothes and maybe sleeping on a spare blanket or towel just in case the wrap does leak. 

    At the end of your appointment, we will have talked about the timeline of applying Derm for YOU and YOUR tattoo, it will be along the lines of what is outlined below:

    If we decided to apply Derm the morning after your appointment:

    1.     First thing tomorrow morning, remove the temporary wrap. Follow the steps above to clean your tattoo. Pat the tattoo and area dry with a paper towel, as soon as the area is dry apply Recovery Derm. Do not wait longer than 5 minutes after cleaning and drying to apply Derm.

    If we decided to use Temporary Wraps for a day:

    1.     First thing tomorrow morning, remove the temporary wrap. Follow the steps above to clean your tattoo. Reapply a temporary wrap immediately afterward. Repeat the above steps every 4-8 hours, so upon waking, lunch time, and before bed. Sleep in the final temporary wrap.

    2.      The following morning, remove the final temporary wrap, repeat the above cleaning steps but do NOT apply lotion. As soon as your tattoo is dry immediately apply the Recovery Derm.

    If we applied Derm for you: 

    Ideally your Derm will last for 5-7 days, and you won't have to do anything. But I've covered the whole spiel below : )

    Steps for application:

         (Pre Note)-Keep in mind the creases on the Derm, they are in the same place on the white side as they are on the "crossed side", they make it easier to peel, both of these layers peel off, the actual recovery derm is the clear bandage between them. It is generally easier to apply Derm in segments, getting one piece fully applied, and overlapping the next, as much as necessary until the tattoo is covered. Cut the Derm to size allowing for at least an extra 1.5"-2" around the outside of the tattoo, and any overlapped pieces.

    (1st Step)-The white sides peel back to reveal the sticky portion that goes on your skin. I like to peel a bit of each side back to reveal the sticky layer (like you would peel the backing off a bandaid) stick it and finish peeling the white backing off.

         (2nd Step)-Finish smoothing down the side with the crosses and peel that off as well. Air bubbles are fine, but do your best to smooth them and any wrinkles out. 

         --Once you peel off the side with the x or cross marks you will be left with a clear flexible "sticker" over your tattoo. 

    -The Derm stays on for 5-7 days (The longer you can leave it on up to 7 the less healing and aftercare you have to worry about). It can be replaced if necessary in the first 48-72 hours after your appointment.

    Fluid Build Up and Common Concerns:

    -A build up of fluid/an ink sack is normal and beneficial for healing. It is mostly plasma, along with some blood, and excess ink. Avoid excessive sweating/overheating while wearing the Derm, as sweat cannot escape it and can create a risk for infection

    -The only time the fluid/ink sack is a “problem” is if it leaks, because then the sterile barrier is broken. If it leaks and you catch it quickly (within 10 minutes) you can squeeze out the excess, wipe the area with alcohol, pat dry, and patch it with a fresh piece of Derm. 

    -If it’s leaking for any longer than that you’ll need to remove the derm. If you're within 48-72 hours of your appointment you can repeat the process of cleaning and reapplying the Derm. If it is beyond 48-72 hours you will need to do normal aftercare.

    -If the ink sack bothers you, you can pop it. Clean the area with an alcohol wipe, use a clean needle and lance the Derm as far away from the actual tattoo as possible. Squeeze fluid through this hole, wipe with alcohol, pat dry and apply a patch of derm to the area where the hole was made.

    When/if the time comes to replace it:

    -Remove the temporary Derm wrap (instructions for this below), wash the tattoo with unscented soap, don't scrub, but using the pads of your fingers massage off any excess blood/pigment/plasma. Pat the tattoo dry with a paper towel, do NOT apply lotion. Once the tattoo is dry immediately apply fresh Recovery Derm. Recovery Derm can be replaced with 48-72 hours of your initial session.

    Removing the Derm:

    -It’s easiest to remove the Derm in the shower (especially keep this in mind if you must replace the first piece, it'll probably be juicy under there). Try to pull it down and away from itself, like you would pull a command/3m strip to remove it from the wall rather than up and over itself like you would remove a Band-Aid.

    -Note, when you remove the Derm it is normal to see a stamp of your tattoo “on it", this is just excess blood pigment and plasma, you are not pulling off your tattoo, this can be super freaky for those using Derm for the first time.

    -Sometimes Derm leaves a sticky residue, usually around where the edges were. You can do a light alcohol wipe over the not tattooed area to help with this and scrub anything that isn't your tattoo. You can apply Aquaphor or coconut oil over any sticky residue to help it go away quicker. 

    After Recovery Derm:

    -All tattoos are considered an open wound for the first two weeks.

    -During this time avoid sun exposure and standing water (no bath tubs, hot tubs, swimming pools, lakes, etc. This is with or without the Derm on for the first two weeks).

    -The Derm is water resistant not waterproof, showering is totally fine but try to avoid excessive time under direct shower flow.

    -After the 5-7 days with Derm your tattoo should basically be surface healed. After 2 weeks it is no longer considered an open wound, and further care is just using sunscreen whenever your tattoo is in the sun.

    - As a reminder, redness, itching, and swelling are all perfectly normal parts of healing a tattoo. If you do have any peeling, flaking or scabbing, do not pick, peel, dig, or scratch at any of these, allow them to heal on their own. Messing with them runs the risk of pulling pigment out of your skin. If the area gets super itchy. You can slap it, spritz it with Bactine, or apply a small amount of lotion.

  • If you choose to not use Recovery Derm for healing your tattoo:

    Normal After Care: Your tattoo should be cleaned 2-3 times a day for the first day to 3-5 days out from your appointment.

    To clean your tattoo: with clean hands, use unscented soap 2-3 times a day (upon waking, lunch time if you can, and before going to bed) to gently massage off any excess blood/pigment/plasma, rinse the tattoo off, pat the area dry with a paper towel, and apply a tiny bit of unscented lotion or coconut oil (less is best, I'd prefer too little even none, than too much. Too much lotion risks suffocating the tattoo so it cannot heal properly).

    -All tattoos are considered an open wound for the first two weeks.

    -During the first two weeks avoid sun exposure and standing water (no bath tubs, hot tubs, swimming pools, lakes, etc. ).

    -After 2 weeks it is no longer considered an open wound, and further care is just using sunscreen whenever your tattoo is in the sun.

    - As a reminder, redness, itching, and swelling are all perfectly normal parts of healing a tattoo. If you do have any peeling, flaking or scabbing, do not pick, peel, dig, or scratch at any of these, allow them to heal on their own. Messing with them runs the risk of pulling pigment out of your skin. If the area gets super itchy. You can slap it, spritz it with Bactine, or apply a small amount of lotion.