Aftercare

Standard Aftercare

  • Leave bandage on for up to 4 hours or until you are home/someplace clean.
  • Wash your hands well with soap before touching your new tattoo or removing the bandage.
  • Remove bandage and gently wash your tattoo with warm water, gentle soap, and your bare hand, taking care to remove any ointment or lymph built up from your tattoo.
    • Soaps I like: Dial Gold, plain Dr. Bronners
  • Rinse and pat dry with a disposable paper towel, or allow tattoo to air dry
  • Do not use anything abrasive to clean or dry your tattoo!
  • Do not over wash your tattoo. Twice a day should be enough until it’s healed unless your tattoo is visibly dirty, or you’ve been sweating alot.
  • You may shower like normal, but avoid submerging your tattoo for long periods including baths, swimming pools, the ocean, etc.
  • Over the next few days, your tattoo will become dry and the skin may feel tight. You might notice some scabbing or flaking. This is normal. Do not pick or scratch at the tattoo, let any scabs fall off naturally.
  • About twice a day apply a thin layer of nonscented, non-greasy moisturizer and rub it into the tattoo until fully absorbed. Don’t overdo it- a little lotion goes a long way!
    • Lotions I like: unscented Lubriderm, cocoa butter, plain Cera-Ve
  • The tattoo may appear dull or “silvery” while healing. This is normal and should brighten back up once fully healed.
  • Wear loose fitting clothing and try to avoid direct sunlight on your tattoo until healed.
  • Always consult a Healthcare Professional if you suspect your tattoo has become infected.

 

Chatham County Health Authority – 1395 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah Georgia, 31406 – 912-356-2160

Second Skin or Saniderm Aftercare

  • You may leave this bandage on (and leave it alone) for up to 4 days.
  • During this time, it is normal to see fluid build up beneath the bandage.This is just blood and lymph and will not affect the final heal of your tattoo.
  • After 4 days, remove the Saniderm bandage gently under warm running water, and wash the tattoo with a mild soap.
    • soaps I like: Dial Gold, plain Dr. Bronners
  • Apply a very thin layer of unscented, non-greasy moisturizer to the tattoo if it feels dry, and rub it in until fully absorbed. If you’ve left the bandage on the full 4 days, you shouldn’t need too much lotion at all.
    • lotions I like: unscented Lubriderm, cocoa butter, plain Cera-Ve
  • If the bandage leaks, or you notice water from the shower getting in, or if the bandage starts to irritate your skin, wash your hands and gently remove the bandage early. Follow standard aftercare.
  • Always contact a Healthcare Professional if you suspect your tattoo has become infected.