Bandaging:

If you were bandaged with second skin (clear sticky bandage), leave your bandage of anywhere from 1-5 days.  The bandage is waterproof, meaning you can shower with it on, but avoid swimming or submerging the tattoo in the bath.  Allergic reactions to second skin can develop overtime!  Remove the bandage immediately if you are experiencing excessive redness, itching, or burning.

If you were bandaged with saran wrap, remove the wrap after 4-8 hours.

Remember a fresh tattoo is an open wound!

Washing and moisturizing:

Generally, washing your new tattoo once a day with natural, unscented, liquid soap is ideal (can vary based on how sweaty/ dirty the area gets).  Gently pat dry with a clean towel.  DO NOT scrub or exfoliate your healing tattoo!

Apply a thin layer of moisturizer on the tattoo 1-2 times a day until the scabbing process is done. I recommend shea butter or another natural, fragrance-free moisturizer.  Avoid moisturizers with petroleum jelly, such as vaseline.

Continue daily washing and moisturizing until the tattoo if fully healed (2-3 weeks).

Scabbing:

It’s normal for a tattoo to go through a scabbing process where the tattoo scabs and gets itchy.  Avoid scratching or picking during the scabbing process!  Moisturizing your tattoo can help with the itchy feeling.

Sun/ swimming:

Avoid exposing your tattoo to the sun until fully healed (after the scabbing process/ usually 2-3 weeks for handpoked tattoos).  Leg and arm tattoos can be covered with *clean* bandanas, masks, pieces of cloth, bandages, etc. Once fully healed, use sunscreen anytime your tattoo is in the sun!  UV is the main factor in fading and blurring tattoos, so use sunscreen as much as possible.

Avoid swimming or soaking the tattooed area until fully headed.

Touch-Ups:

Touch-ups are always free and usually take less than 10 minutes!  If your tattoo needs a touch-up, please reach out via email (jacofsometrades@gmail.com) and I’ll get your scheduled!

Infection:

In very rare cases, even the best cared for tattoos may develop an infection.  This could look like a yellow-green tinge, hot, painful, irritated, and/ or extreme redness (note: some redness is expected in the first day or two).  If you are experiencing an infection, please reach out to a doctor and notify your tattoo artist.  If you are uncertain, please reach out to your artist with photos so they may provide advice.