Full Color Tattoo Aftercare
Traditional
Step 1: Cover
Wear bandage/wrap applied for no more than 3 hours
Step 2: Clean
Wash tattooed area with an unscented, antibacterial, liquid, hand soap. While I do recommend Gold Dial, there are plenty of functional options.
Take special care to make sure this dries in no more than 15 minutes on the surface of the skin. If you are experiencing excess shine after 15 minutes, you're applying too much!
Step 3: Moisturize
Apply a white, unscented lotion to the area at the consistency you might apply chapstick. It should be barely shiny when applied properly and shouldn't ever be left with excess moisture on it as this can complicate healing.
Take special care to make sure this dries in no more than 15 minutes on the surface of the skin. If you are experiencing excess shine after 15 minutes, you're applying too much!
Step 4: Dry
Pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel or newly laundered towel/washcloth. Do not wipe it across the surface as this can cause irritation to the tattooed area.
When you experience your new tattoo being dry, tight or dirty: repeat steps 1-4.
Step 5: Frequency
While the typically recommended amount of times to wash/moisturize your tattoo are 2-3x/day, I suggest a more personal approach to this process.
When you experience your new tattoo being dry, tight or dirty: repeat steps 1-4.
Step 5: Time
You will repeat steps 1-5 for approximately 2-4 weeks. Once the tattoo has peeled completely on the surface, you can switch to moisturizing the area and applying sunscreen as needed only. Be extra careful not to during the early periods to not touch the skin unnecessarily or scrape it, as the surface will be extremely sensitive prior to healing.
Precautions:
It is important to remember that your new tattoo is still healing and can be effected negatively by various things. Pet hair/dander/saliva, dust, smoke, standing bodies of water (bath tubs, hot tubs, pools, ocean, etc.) and other environmental contagions can cause complications in healing and should be avoided.
If you have questions regarding what should/should not be avoided, or regarding anything related to healing, please reach out here.
Bandage
Step 1: First Bandage
Wear your original bandage for 24-36 hours.
If you have issues with this, applying a small amount of soap and water under the edge can help lubricate the adhesive, making it easier to remove. This can also be done in the shower.
Step 2: Remove Bandage
Remove first bandage by peeling up and edge and rolling along the skin away from the lifted area.
If you have issues with this, applying a small amount of soap and water under the edge can help lubricate the adhesive, making it easier to remove. This can also be done in the shower.
Step 3: Clean
Wash the tattooed area with and unscented, antibacterial, liquid hand soap. While I do recommend Gold Dial, there are plenty of functional options.
Step 4: Dry
Pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel or newly laundered towel/washcloth. Do not wipe it across the surface as this can cause irritation to the tattooed area.
After making sure the area is completely covered and the adhesive is secure, you will remove the outer covering. To do this, apply pressure to the skin on either side of the arrows on the film, pulling very slightly in either direction. This should allow you to better remove the patterned exterior film and leave your bandage clear.
Step 5:
Once the area is completely clean and dry, you will apply the second bandage. You do this by removing the paper backing and applying the adhesive over the tattooed area.
After making sure the area is completely covered and the adhesive is secure, you will remove the outer covering. To do this, apply pressure to the skin on either side of the arrows on the film, pulling very slightly in either direction. This should allow you to better remove the patterned exterior film and leave your bandage clear.
Step 6: Second Bandage
Wear the second bandage for 5-7 days, or as long as possible up to 7 days.
Step 7: Remove Second Bandage
Repeat steps 1-4 after removing the second bandage.
Step 8: Check
Sometimes after removing the second bandage there are spaces that might still be healing. This is normal and should be handled by following the steps outlined in the traditional healing tab. If not, congratulations, you can move on to applying the moisturizer of your choice.
If you experience redness or irritation of the skin beneath the bandage area, water
/
other contaminates get into the bandage, or you puncture the bandage: please remove the bandage, switch to traditional healing and contact me for further instructions.
Precautions:
The most common issues in bandage-healing are: allergies, contaminates beneath the bandage, non-adhesion and puncturing the bandage.
If you experience redness or irritation of the skin beneath the bandage area, water
/
other contaminates get into the bandage, or you puncture the bandage: please remove the bandage, switch to traditional healing and contact me for further instructions.
If you have questions regarding what should/should not be avoided, or regarding anything related to healing, please reach out here.
Josaline Green specializes in heavy blackwork, abstract and cyber tattoos. She currently works out of Darkwater Ink in Berkeley, California in the San Francisco Bay Area. She also services Oakland, CA and occasionally travels to do guest spots. Especially in Fort Collins, CO and the Denver Area, as well as Salem, MA.