Traditional Healing

Remove your bandage in 1-4 hours
WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR NEW TATTOO!
Using an antibacterial, fragrance free soap (like liquid dial gold) and warm water, wash your tattoo using your hands only. Do NOT use anything abrasive like washcloths or loofahs.
Be sure when washing to clean your tattoo of any excess ointment or buildup. Buildup of lymph (the slimy buildup that forms on your tattoo) can cause scabbing which you want to try to minimize as much as possible.
After you wash your tattoo, pat it dry with a clean, disposable paper towel. Don’t use a regular towel as those harbor bacteria!
For the first 3-4 days, wash often, about 3-4 times throughout the day or whenever you see buildup forming. After you wash and dry, apply ointment such as Aquaphor or Griffin Salve, in VERY THIN LAYERS. Do not smother or over-moisturize.
Around the 4th day your tattoo will start to flake and peel .Do NOT pick, peel, or scratch your tattoo. Allow the skin to come off naturally. At this point, switch to a gentle, fragrance free lotion (like Jergens or aveeno) and keep lotioned for about the next 3 weeks.

Healing with Tegaderm

If tegaderm has been applied at the shop, you can leave the tegaderm on for 4 days, as long as thereis a SOLID SEAL. If you feel theres been any leaking, or that the tattoo may have been exposed to bacteria, remove tegaderm and proceed with traditional healing. Contact your artist for specific questions
You may replace your tegaderm in the first 24 hours if you like, but tegaderm works best if you can keep it on for the first four days.
If you apply your tegaderm yourself, tegaderm MUST be applied within the first 24 hours.
Wash the area WELL with antibacterial soap, in a sterile environment.
Allow the tattoo to fully AIR DRY or pat using a paper towel.
Do not apply any ointments before applying tegaderm. Tattoo must be clean and DRY
Leave about an inch border around the tattoo. if you have to apply in patches, make sure the patches overlap. Tattoo must be FULLY COVERED.
You can change the bandage after 24 hours if there is excess weeping, but it is not necessary as long as the tattoo is still sealed.
Remove the bandage on the 4th day, in the shower using hot water.
After you remove bandage, wash with antibacterial soap and go straight to lotion.
Keep your tattoo lotioned for the next 2-3 weeks at least!

Do not soak your tattoo. Avoid swimming (no pools, hot tubs, rivers, etc.
Do not expose directly to sunlight
do not pick, peel, or scratch your new tattoo. If it itches, a gentle pat will help!
Remember your tattoo is an open wound! Avoid anything that could expose your tattoo to bateria like gyms or dirty sheets. Keep your tattoo clean.