TATTOO AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS:

Each individual tattoo artist may have their own recommendation on how to care for your fresh tattoo. It is important to follow their suggestions to ensure proper healing and minimize the chance of needing any necessary touchups. Below you will find my preferred method for healing your new tattoo.

Recovery Derm Shield

If you have been tattooed by me, I most likely sent you home with some Recovery Derm Shield on your new tattoo. This is a clear, breathable, waterproof , hypoallergenic film that covers your fresh tattoo and protects it from anything that may interfere with the healing process of your tattoo. (You also may have heard of Tegaderm, or Second Skin, this is essentially the same thing, just different brand)

Aftercare Instructions

Keep the Derm Shield on for 4 days. You may notice some colored liquid building up in there which is perfectly normal. This is just a bit of blood, plasma and ink purging from the tattoo(it’s just your body’s immune system at work trying to help you out).

After the 4th day you may take off the Derm Shield in the shower by grabbing a corner of it and pulling the bandage towards you(I suggest doing this because the steam will help loosen the bandage and it makes for an easier clean up). After you remove the Derm Shield, wash your tattoo with gentle , unscented soap and warm water. Please do not use bar soap (this can have bacteria build up from sitting in your shower). My suggestion would be to use Dial Antibacterial Gold Soap (in the pump) or Dr Bronner’s Natural Soap (this is concentrated so please dilute). After getting out of the shower, please gently blot dry your tattoo with a freshly clean towel or paper towel. Proceed by lotioning the tattoo with white, unscented lotion until the tattoo isn’t peeling, itchy or dry feeling . After three weeks your tattoo should be completely healed. Some areas of the body can take a little longer to heal.

*Lubriderm, Aveeno, Curel, Eurcerin, and Cetaphil are all great options for the unscented lotion.

Things NOT to do while healing a tattoo…

Please avoid swimming, hot tubs, baths, sun exposure, gym equipment or shaving for at least two weeks while your tattoo is healing. You have an open wound and are more susceptible to harmful chemicals and bacteria that may interfere with your healing and your overall health. Please also try to avoid your pet touching your fresh tattoo. If by chance your dog or cat touches, or scratches you , wash your tattoo immediately.

With the Derm Shield you shouldn’t have any major scabbing with your tattoo, only light flakiness once you take the film off. Please, do not pick or peel off the flaky skin, allow for it to come off naturally to avoid removing pigment from your tattoo.

If you are allergic to adhesives, or do not prefer Derm Shield, please review my instructions on an ointment heal below

Aquaphor Ointment

You may find Aquaphor ointment from any Pharmacy or store. If you use this please apply it in very small amounts in a thin layer. This is a petroleum based product and you still want your tattoo to be able to breathe adequately for it to heal in a timely fashion.

Note: if you are healing your tattoo with ointment, do not keep applying the ointment passed the 4 days. If you do , you may notice your tattoo scabbing up, and taking longer to heal. This is because the tattoo isn’t able to breathe so the skin is not regenerating like it normally does when it can air out.

After the 4 days of ointment proceed healing it by keeping it clean with unscented soap and use unscented lotion as mentioned in the aftercare instructions above.

If you have any questions or concerns about your aftercare please feel free to email me at jenna@jmariontattoo.com or DM me on instagram @jennamariontattoo