Tattoo

If using cling film:

• Leave cling film on for as long as you can, 24 hours is best.

• You can replace cling film if you get sweaty or the cling film gets too messy. Gently wash the tattoo with antibacterial soap and pat dry with a clean paper towel, then replace the cling film.

• The goal here is to protect the fresh tattoo from bacteria and friction. You will likely stop oozing plasma and blood after a couple of hours after your session, but it is ideal to keep the tattoo wrapped.

• After 24 hours, wash twice a day with antibacterial soap and apply a light layer of lotion with each wash.

• When showering, make sure your tattoo is that last thing that is washed and air-dried or patted dry with a clean towel.

If using Saniderm or “second skin”:

-Leave the initial bandage on for 24 hours.

-Remove the bandage if excessive redness/itchiness/warmth occurs. These are signs that your body wants the bandage taken off. It will not ruin the healing process if you take the bandage off prematurely.

-Bandages come off easiest with warm water. Immediately after taking off the bandage, lightly but thoroughly clean the tattoo with antibacterial soap.

-If you are putting a second bandage on, do not put lotion on your tattoo before applying the new bandage. Make sure the tattoo and the area around the tattoo and completely dry before putting on the second bandage. You can usually leave the second bandage on for 4-5 days.

Notes on exercise:

-I recommend taking 3 days off. The bigger the tattoo, the more concern you should have about aftercare!

-My primary concern for the first week after the tattoo is contact with dirty gym equipment and your sweat. It is very easy for the tattoo to get infected in this phase.

-My primary concern for weeks 2-4 is the stretching/contraction of the skin. While healing in this phase, your skin will not be as elastic as it needs to be, potentially resulting in patchiness or loss of ink. For the bodybuilders, I recommend avoiding the “pump” you’d get in your muscles in the area of the tattoo if you can. That stretching and expanding skin is exactly what were trying to avoid.

-Bare minimum: wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap immediately after your tattoo.

-If you worked out with the bandage on, please do not remove the bandage at the gym. Please remove the bandage in a sanitary environment where you can safely clean the tattoo with antibacterial soap.

Products:

-Antibacterial Soap: Dial Gold

-Lotion: Aquaphor is commonly recommended, I also like Lubiderm Daily Moisture Lotion (all skin types).

-I usually order Saniderm and apply that on my clients after the tattoo. I recommend you invest in your own “second skin” if you plan on getting more tattoos in the near future! It is affordable and makes the healing process way easier, in my opinion.

-Hustle Butter aftercare bandage: glue is very strong, you can leave this bandage on longer than most other brands. It will be difficult to take off.