Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Tattoo aftercare is very important to ensure the longevity and safe healing of your new tattoo. Please carefully review the steps and never hesitate to call or message us directly if you have any questions

Absorbant Pad Bandage

Keep your bandage on overnight.
Your tattoo will bleed and weep fluid for the first several hours depending on the placement and size. Allowing the tattoo to stay covered and moist will allow for the wound to begin to close and prevent bacteria, clothing, bedding, etc from sticking to it.

Wash your hands with hot soapy water and carefully remove the bandage.
In the shower, allow very warm water to wash the tattoo. Lather up the PurSan aftercare wash (Or any unscented, gentle liquid soap) and thoroughly wash the tattoo clean - you'll know it's clean when it no longer feels slimy. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a fresh, clean towel.
*Do not rebandage*
*Avoid wearing tight clothes over the tattoo like belts, bra straps, purses, etc*

In the first 2-4 days, you will want to thoroughly wash your tattoo to remove fluid buildup that can cause excessive scabbing.

Semi-Occlusive Bandage Aftercare

Your tattoo artist may put semi-occlusive bandage over your tattoo. Also known as SaniDerm, Tatuderm, Second Skin.

This bandage is waterproof and will protect the new tattoo from outside bacteria and irritants while still allowing the tattoo to breathe!

Your artist may suggest you remove the bandage within 24 hours and come back to have it replaced if you find there is a lot of fluid built up inside.
Otherwise, you may wear this bandage for up to 7 days while your tattoo heals underneath it.

To remove the S-O Bandage, gently roll up a corner and stretch the bandage away from itself. Don't peel it back on itself. Some people prefer to do this in the shower to help loosen some of the adhesive, but pulling it off too quickly can cause the skin underneath to pull and blister.
If the bandage peels up a bit on its own, you can trim that spot away.

When the bandage has been removed, it may have a layer of colour from the tattoo stuck to it. This is the damaged layer of skin that would peel and flake off over the last week had it not been covered. Totally normal!

Over the next 2-3 weeks

You must avoid soaking and submerging your healing tattoo in standing pools of water such as hot tubs, bath tubs, pools, lakes.
(Showering is, of course, encouraged)

Your tattoo should stay clean and dry and without rubbing clothes and accessories like backpacks and purses.

While your tattoo is healing, you'll notice it may feel tight and maybe itchy. Never pick, peel or scratch your new tattoo! This can pick off the healing skin and cause infection and even pull out some of the pigment.

After 48+ Hours, you can apply a tiny amount of PurTat aftercare lotion (or any unscented lotion that is safe for broken skin - read the label) to your tattoo. This is just for comfort and should be used sparingly.

Do not apply ointments and vaseline that are not suitable for broken skin, or contain perfumes.

Troubleshooting

Occasionally, tattoos can have a tough heal due to many factors including aftercare, infection and application.

Any excessive redness, weeping, heat, pimples, foul odour and extreme pain of a new tattoo should be seen and swabbed by a doctor to rule out and treat any potential bacterial infection.

It is perfectly normal for a new tattoo to flake and peel like a sunburn. Never peel or pick at your new tattoo.
Some areas of the tattoo may be overworked where the skin had a harder time taking on the pigment while the tattoo was being applied by the artist. This can cause a deeper wound in some spots that may scab and weep for longer periods of time.

Scabbing and longer-healing spots can be also caused from excess moisture, rubbing or picking or simply the client's own immune system taking a bit longer to heal.

Be sure to keep the tattoo washed and dried several times a day. In the instance where there is a deeper wound and some scabbing, We suggest using PurTect aftercare Vitamin A&E ointment which can create a breathable barrier from bacteria and provide comfortable moisture.
With clean hands, apply a very thin layer over affected parts of your healing tattoo and blot away any excess. (PurTect can also moisturize and brighten up healed tattoo to make it look vibrant!)

Touch-Ups

Most all tattoos heal quickly and easily without incident and rarely need a touch-up.

In the event of a bit of a tougher heal, you may notice some spots of the linework or coloured portions of your tattoo have healed and a bit of the pigment has fallen out.
This can be easily touched-up by your artist within a month of the date of your tattoo or during your next tattoo appointment for a new tattoo! (touch-ups are subject to the studio set-up fee)

TIPS

Never expose your tattoo to direct sunlight. Even after it has healed.

UV light from the sun and tanning beds will ruin your tattoo forever - fading it and making it look dull and muddy if it's allowed to be tanned or burned.

Use a good quality, high SPF sunscreen at all times when your healed tattoo may come in contact with direct sunlight - even for a short time!

Healing tattoos should be covered by clothing to avoid sun exposure while you're unable to put sunscreen on it.

Show off your healed tattoo!

Make your healed tattoo look bright by trimming away hair and using your favourite exfoliant to buff away dead skin on top.
Use your favourite moisturizer or PurTect to give it a healthy glow and make the colours and linework pop