Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
Saniderm Bandage Care
Wear this bandage for the next 3 days. On the third day, remove bandage in the shower with warm water.
-Pull bandage GENTLY in an upwards motion from one upper end to 'release' adhesive in a downwards motion. Continue until bandage is removed fully. Allow some warm water to get under bandage to help with removal.
-Once fully removed, wash gently with unscented liquid soap, (Dial gold, Dr. bronners) on clean hands only, no loofahs or washcloths.
-After washing, pat dry with a clean paper towel, (nothing that has been near the kitchen sink!) and allow to dry fully for 10-15 minutes.
-After tattoo has fully dried after washing, apply a small amount of unscented white lotion (Lubriderm, Aveeno or Curel) to the tattoo.
-Apply lotion whenever tattoo feels dry, tight or itchy, and keep it clean!
Traditional Bandage Care
-Take off temporary wrap after 4-6 hours, or until you can safely wash it. Remove bandage with CLEAN hands, and throw away.
-Wash tattoo gently with liquid soap, (Dial gold, Dr. Bronners) to remove all tattoo slime and tattoo ointment.
-After washing, dry COMPLETELY with a fresh paper towel. Do NOT use your body towel you use for bathing. Apply your choice of ointment to the tattoo in a thin layer. I recommend Tattoo Lovers, Vanicream, or a light layer of Aquaphor.
-Continue to wash and reapply Aquaphor (or ointment of choice) to the tattoo 2-3 times a day, for the next 3 days. After 3 days, wash tattoo once a day and move to using an unscented white lotion, (Cetaphil, Lubriderm, Aveeno or Curel) when moisturizing the tattoo. Apply lotion any time the tattoo feels tight, dry or itchy, and if its shiny and wet looking, its too much lotion.
FOR BOTH TYPES OF AFTERCARE
-DO NOT SCRATCH OR PICK AT TATTOO: This can pick off of scabs, which can lead to color falling out, irritation and infection.
-Do not apply too much lotion or ointment! Generally one full pump of lotion is too much for small tattoos, so cut the size of dollop down in half, and ensure your tattoo can breathe. If you are using one full pump of lotion, lotion the entire part of your body your tattoo is on (example, whole forearm, calf, etc). If your tattoo is wet and shiny after lotioning or using ointment, its probably too much!
-Avoid ALL bodies of water till tattoo is fully healed. No pools, spas, oceans, rivers, lakes, or baths (showers are obviously fine)
If you have any questions about healing, you can message me on instagram, @raerae.tattoos. Free touch ups are void on tattoos that have not been properly taken care of on your behalf.