If you have any concerns during the healing process please phone us at 778-414-1116 during business hours. You can also message our Facebook Page. If you are unable to reach us and you have an urgent concerns dial 811 to reach Health Link BC, or 911 for emergencies.
You now have a fresh new tattoo and it’s up to you to ensure that it’s given the best opportunity to heal. Tattoos can appear fully healed at around the two week mark. However, it takes several weeks for your skin to fully cycle through. The level of dedication that you give to your aftercare routine will determine how successfully you heal.
Additionally, your body can only heal effectively if given the proper tools to do so. Following a healthy diet (low in sugar and processed foods), drinking enough water, limiting stress, and getting adequate sleep will all be important determinants in how your tattoo heals.
First Two Weeks of Care
1. If your artist used plastic/saran wrap leave it on for 4-8 hours and no longer. When we use this wrap we trap air within it but it is not breathable long term. It’s purpose is to keep your tattoo moist to avoid your body creating an initial scab. Your tattoo seeps out the most blood/plasma during these hours. Additionally if left unwrapped, before an initial scab, the area can get tacky attracting things like dust, pet hair, and other elements.
If your artist used Ultraderm leave it on for 24-48 hours. If you work in a dusty or dirty environment, mention that to your artist and they can provide extra for you to rewrap followed by verbal instructions on how to do so. Your second wrap can stay on for 5 days.
2. Wash your hands prior to removing your dressing.
At any point if your skin becomes red or irritated under either wrap and the entire shape of it, you should remove it even before the recommended time. Always listen to your body as it often tells you what it needs.
If at any time the edges of the dressing become lifted or dirtied (or if any part of the tattoo becomes exposed) remove the dressing immediately to prevent any trapped dirt/bacteria from being in prolonged contact with your tattoo.
When removing the Ultraderm bandage, gently peel an edge downward OR stretch neighbouring edges outward until the dressing lifts off of the skin. If you’re having trouble removing your dressing, hop into the shower and allow the water to run over top of the dressing as you gently peel it off.
3. Gently, but thoroughly, wash your tattoo and the area with a mild hand soap. Unscented hand soap is always the best option.
4. Pat dry with paper towel only. Never use a hand towel/towel as fibers can transfer off of them and even the best washed materials can have traces of mildew.
5. Let the area air dry for 10-20 minutes
6. Starting day 2-3, with clean hands, moisturize by applying a very thin layer of unscented lotion (We recommend Lubriderm or Aveeno) or your favourite tattoo aftercare product (Please inform your artist if you choose to use a product instead of the recommended lotions). There is such a thing as too much moisture as your tattoo does need to be able to ‘breathe’ in order to heal. By caking product on, you risk ‘suffocating’ the area, and absorption of too much of the active ingredient could potentially cause pimpling or suffocate your tattoo and cause infection.
Again, always listen to your body. If you apply a product onto your skin and it burns or feels irritated, wash it off immediately. It’s better to have nothing on it than something that is causing a reaction. Sometimes an ingredient in a product can become rancid/expired, which is safe for topical use but not for an open wound. We don’t recommend using an old product that has sat in your home for several months or so. We also don’t recommend using a product that sits in a jar/container that you have to scoop into unless you use a clean spoon or something similar. Dipping your fingers into a container of product can slowly build bacteria.
FOLLOW THESE ABOVE STEPS 3 TIMES A DAY FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT.
WASH HANDS>WASH TATTOO>PAT DRY>AIR DRY>WASH HANDS>MOISTURIZE
(You may wash it more often or in between washes if your tattoo has rubbed on or has been exposed to something you may be concerned about)
7. Avoid soaking your tattoos or participating in activities that might create a prolonged moist skin surface (for at least 2 weeks). Avoid baths, hot tubs, pools, lakes, etc; saunas; sporting activities; and WEIGHT ROOMS. Daily showers are fine (and encouraged).
Avoid unessential activities that would unnecessarily expose you to dirty/unsanitary conditions (i.e. no camping!).
8. Avoid tight-fitting or irritating clothing that may rub over and damage your tattoo. If unavoidable, please discuss with your artist prior to getting tattooed.
9. Ensure bed linens are washed on the hottest setting. Do not use fabric softener. Do your best NOT to sleep or lie on your tattoo. If you wake up with your bedding stuck to the tattoo, don’t panic! Take it into the shower with you and soak it until it detaches itself.
10. Avoid letting your tattoo touch surfaces you cannot ensure are free from dirt or bacteria (this includes previously worn clothing). It’s also important not to let others touch your tattoo at all during the healing process (remember, they may carry bacteria that could cause an infection if introduced into your tattoo).
11. Keep your tattoo away from any pets or animals (ESPECIALLY cats, reptiles, or livestock), and be wary of surfaces or environments that they may have had access to. Don’t allow any pets in your bed until your tattoo has completely healed.
What to expect
Your new tattoo is an open wound that your body aims to heal. In the beginning, your tattoo will seep blood, plasma, and ink (all of which are normal). The amount of this fluid mixture left on the skin should always be kept to minimum as this can eventually lead to scabbing if left to dry (an exception to this would be fluid build-up beneath a transparent adhesive dressing; this is fine and should be left contained until it’s time to remove the bandage). Once the tattoo is exposed, remember that you NEVER pick off anything that doesn’t come off naturally with a gentle cleanse.
You may also experience mild swelling and/or redness around the tattoo which is the result of an increase in blood flow to the area as the body’s immune response kicks in, this is normal.
After the first couple of days, you may begin to form small scabs or dried flakes over top of your tattoo giving it a faded appearance. This is normal, but the likelihood of it occurring can be minimized by ensuring that you are applying your aftercare regularly. These flakes can wash off in the colours that were tattooed and/or clear flakes. NEVER remove the flakes by picking even if they seem like they are just about to fall off on their own. Premature removal can cause scarring. The results from picking a tattoo or poor aftercare are not covered for a free touch-up.
It is normal for your tattoo to be itchy and you can start expecting that sensation starting anywhere from day 3-6. This is a good thing, your tattoo being an open wound is now sealing and healing causing the itch. It is important to NOT itch or scratch your tattoo.
After the first week your tattoo is still flakey and slightly dull looking. It also is not an open wound anymore for the average person, however, it is still sensitive and can still be exposed to damage. Continue the aftercare as recommended above.
After two weeks you no longer need to wash your tattoo 3 times a day but you may continue to use lotion. Continue to avoid prolonged sun exposure and be sure to use sunscreen. Your tattoo will look shiny at this point.
After 6 weeks your skin has fully cycled through. Your tattoo is now 100% healed! For best long term results, you may continue to apply sunscreen when exposed.
Symptoms to be Aware of
What’s NOT normal is the development of very large/deep scabbing; open areas of skin; redness/swelling/a sensation of warmth that seems to be getting worse; yellow/green oozing (i.e. pus); large raised bumps; and/or a tattoo that just doesn’t seem to be healing.
This can happen for any number of reasons:
- Growing pain, redness, swelling, warmth, and/or ‘yucky’ discharge occurs from environmental bacteria that has entered your tattoo. This is called an opportunistic infection and will require a visit to your physician.
- Excess scabbing is commonly caused by trauma that occurs during any phase of healing (i.e. picking off scabs/flakes prematurely, an incidental scrape or burn to the tattooed area, etc.), infection, or a reaction to the ink (rare, but possible).
- Large raised lumps (aka ink-reaction) can occur in those with extremely sensitive skin or underlying sensitivities to red dyes, in some cases causing unsightly keloid scarring.
- Lastly, for tattoos that don’t seem to be progressing through the expected stages of healing, there may be an underlying health factor causing an impairment in the wound healing process. Causes can range from a complex chronic illness to something as simple as poor nutritional habits.
*This last point is why it’s imperative that your artist is aware of any applicable known medical conditions (listed both on our consent forms and online policy section) prior to starting the tattoo.
Please follow our aftercare instructions properly to give your tattoo it’s best possible outcome! It may seem like a lot but it’s an easy routine to get into which will help avoid symptoms above. Your tattoo will thank you and will look great for years to come!