9 ELEMENT AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS

  • **FIRST WASH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT**

    • After removing the bandage, take a hot shower (as hot as you can comfortably tolerate).

    • Using clean fingertips only, gently wash the tattoo with mild, fragrance-free soap.

      • No washcloths, loofahs, or sponges (these can irritate fresh ink).

      • DO NOT use a bar of soap as it can hold bacteria.

    • Thorough cleaning = faster, smoother healing. Leftover plasma or ink can lead to excess scabbing and delayed recovery. For best results:

      • Wash until your tattoo feels completely clean (like normal skin)

      • Finish with a cool water rinse to: soothe the skin, close pores gently, reduce redness

    Tattoo Drying & Moisturizing Instructions
    DRYING

    • We prefer air drying your skin. However, you can always gently pat dry with a clean paper towel.

    • Allow 2-3 days for the tattoo to fully dry, then apply lotion. It’s during this healing stage that your skin may start to itch, and moisturizing helps.

    MOISTURIZING (after 2-3 days)

    • Recommended: Aquaphor; Alternatives: Lubriderm, Cetaphil, Aveeno, Aloe Vera, and Vitamin E Products. Ensure the are all unscented.

    DAILY TATTOO CARE ROUTINE

    1. Shower First: Cleanse gently with lukewarm water and fragrance free soap. Always wash hands before touching your tattoo.

    2. Moisturize Twice Daily: Apply a “think” layer of Aquaphor or unscented lotion. Less is more - your skin should absorb it completely.

    3. Avoid: bar soap; washcloths, loofahs, or sponges; scrubbing aggressively

    4. Do: air dry or pat dry with a clean paper towel (single use, no bacteria!)

    Water Safety for your New Tattoo: Keep your tattoo out of pools, oceans, hot tubs, and other bodies of water until fully healed (typically 2-4 weeks)

    Activity Guidelines After Your Tattoo: For optimal healing, avoid intense activities for minimum of 1 week (absolute requirement), but our recommendation is 2 weeks for best results. Sweat is a breeding ground for bacteria that is unfriendly toward your fresh ink.

    Sun Protection for Your Tattoo: Always protect your tattoo from the sun, even when healed. Use SPF or cover up. Tanning beds will fade your ink fast.

    Resist the Itch: Itching is normal, but never scratch or pick.

    Safe Relief:

    • Lightly slap the area

    • Apply a clean ice pack

    • Use fragrance-free moisturizer

    Never:

    • Peel flakes

    • Use nails

    Skip the Vaseline/Polysporin (no exceptions). These can actually harm your tattoo by:

    • Trapping bacteria (Vaseline); Removing all the bad and good (Polysporin)

    • Preventing proper oxygen flow

    • Causing excessive moisture

      Stick with recommended aftercare products only. Trust the process, we’ll get you healed right!

  • Keep your waterproof bandage on for 4-7 days, this helps protect your tattoo while it heals.

    • Do:

      • Leave bandage intact

      • Shower normally with warm water (avoid direct, high-pressure)

    • Avoid:

      • Loofahs, scrubs, or exfoliating soaps (they can loosen the adhesive)

      • Baths, saunas, hot tubs, or swimming (excess moisture can comprise the seal)

    • If the bandage peels or leaks, remove it early and follow standard aftercare.

    How to Remove Your Bandage Safely:

    • Best Time to Remove: at the end of a warm shower

    • Proper Removal Technique:

      • Slowly stretch the edges outward from the center

      • Never rip quickly (like a band-aid)

    Bandage Removal Guidelines

    • Only remove your bandage early if:

      • The adhesive lifts/peels

      • Fluid leaks outside the bandage

      • The seal breaks

    • If you notice:

      • Redness around bandage edges

      • Unusual itchiness

      • Skin irritation

        Take Action

      • Remove the bandage immediately

      • Wash gently with unscented soap

      • Switch to traditional aftercare

        **This likely indicates a mild adhesive allergy, not an infection. But if symptoms worsen, contact us or a healthcare provider.

    • Your bandage may form a fluid bubble, this is completely normal.

      • Do: leave it intact, the fluid will naturally reabsorb within 20-36 hours

      • Don’t: Pop or drain the bubble (this breaks the sterile seal)

    After Removal of Second Skin:

    • Moisturize: apply a “thin” layer of Aquaphor (or unscented Lubriderm, Cetaphil, Aloe Vera, or Vitamin E)

  • Bandage Removal

    • Keep your bandage on for at least 5 hours (or overnight if applied late in the day).

    • Follow Care Routine Steps

    • Hygiene First: Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your healing tattoo.

    • Avoid pools, hot tubs, and intense workouts for 1-2 weeks (2 weeks is ideal)

    • Skip sun exposure and tanning beds (4-6 weeks); no sunscreen while healing. Once fully recovered, always use SPF to preserve vibrancy.

    • Do not scratch or pick - itchiness is normal

    • Soreness, swelling, and bruising are common.

    When in doubt: contact us with any concerns, we’re here to help!