Unless you want your new tattoo to look worn-in, faded, fuzzy, uneven, and overall shitty, you have to take care of it right from the very beginning.
Proper tattoo aftercare is JUST AS important as its application, and since you probably chose a great tattoo artist from a great Dallas tattoo shop (probably us), we’re guessing you want your tattoo to look great too.
Follow these steps to keep your tattoo looking crisp, clear, and bold:
1. Don’t Mess with Your Saniderm Bandage
Leave the Saniderm bandage on for 48 to 72 hours. Period. We have found that this is the optimal time for most people based on the climate here in Dallas, TX.
Your tattoo will weep lymph, blood, ink, and other bodily fluids, which will collect under the bandage. This is normal! Don’t be alarmed. These fluids may affect the adhesion of Saniderm though, so if it comes off before the 48 hours is up, begin your follow-up care as directed.
If you cannot tolerate adhesives, we will work with you and use other methods.
2. Take Your Saniderm Bandage Off (Properly)
The best way to remove your bandage is with heat and hot water. If you can get sweaty before taking a shower, all the better. Peel up a corner of the bandage and peel it over and across itself, NOT AWAY from the skin. Do not lift straight up and pull, as this will cause damage to your tattoo and the surrounding skin.
Wash your tattooed area in HOT water (as HOT as you can stand without hurting yourself, of course). This will cause slight discomfort but will not damage the tattoo.
Wash with Optiscrub using just the pads of your fingers (no nails, sponges, washcloths, loofahs, soft brushes, etc.) for a MINIMUM of 30 seconds. If you are not washing for at least 30 seconds, you are not killing the germs.
Optiscrub is a lotion-based, anti-microbial soap that won’t dry your skin out like Dial – while still killing germs. This process can help remove the elements that create thick scabs and will make for proper healing of your new tattoo.
3. Dry Your Tattoo (Properly)
Pat the tattooed area dry. Do not wipe the tattoo. Only wipe the wet areas around the tattoo with a dry paper towel. And for the love of God, DO NOT use the same towel you dried your ass with. Treat your tattoo like a wound – because, well, it kind of is.
4.Moisturize (Properly)
Once your tattoo is uncovered, clean, and dry apply a small dab of an organic, petroleum-free, vegan ointment or moisturizer like cocoa butter, coconut oil, or shea butter. Be gentle. Be sparing.
Only apply a thin layer of the ointment – meaning, only use what you can (gently) rub in. We recommend working the ointment between your fingers for a moment to warm it up prior to applying as this will make it easier to spread with less pressure.
More is not better here. A thick layer is bad. You are not buttering toast.
For the first week after getting your new tattoo, apply the ointment 3 times daily after washing. In the second week, you can taper down to 1-2 times per day. This is incredibly important for your tattoo aftercare, so don’t skip applications.
Also, Here Are Some Common Sense Things That Stand to Be Said…
- Keeping the tattoo OUT of direct sunlight (this includes tanning beds) is important during your tattoo healing process.
- You and others will be tempted to touch your new tattoo. DO NOT touch your tattoo except to clean it. Definitely don’t let other people touch it. Ew, it’s a wound.
- DO NOT pick or scratch your tattoo (obviously) as this may cause scarring.
- Try to keep tight clothes off of your healing tattoo as much as possible. Socks, bra straps, tight pants, etc. can cause discomfort and poor healing.
- DO NOT submerge your healing tattoo in water including, but not limited to, bathtubs, toilets, pools, ponds, swamps, lakes, seas, fjords, and oceans.
- Drink water. It’s good for healing, your skin, tattoo…and just health in general. In fact, drink water right now. Go.
We Know Our Stuff | Take Care of Your Tattoo from Lamar Street Tattoo Club
Lamar Street Tattoo Club and our elite tattoo artists in Dallas know what we’re doing, and we know how to care for what we’ve done too. Send us a submission form if you are interested in working with the top tattoo artists and tattoo shop in Dallas. Along with getting the best tattoo quality, you’ll also get the highest level of tattoo aftercare when you choose Lamar Street Tattoo Club. Contact us and we’ll get back to you with a consultation, appointment time, and tattoo artist recommendation!
Walk-ins Always Welcome, Appointments Preferred.