Why Does My Tattoo Look Smudged Under The Wrap?

Is it normal for my tattoo to look smudged under Saniderm

Saniderm Aftercare ​ To purchase Saniderm and Sanibalm please visit  Saniderm. com and use the code rosenoir  at checkout for a 10% discount!  ​ Day 1: So you got a new tattoo? It’s probably on fire- use ice packs or ibuprofen to reduce the stinging. Your first piece of Saniderm applied by the artist must be worn for 24 hours, do not remove it early.

• You will have irritation, redness, bleeding, seeping, and ink collect under the bandage;
• You will notice plasma (looks like clear watery liquid), ink, and blood trapped in the bandage, and it may leak out of the Saniderm;

This is NORMAL and part of the healing process. Don’t freak out over this. Day 2: Remove 1st bandage after 24 hours- peel off slowly (this will likely be uncomfortable). Wash thoroughly with plain anti-bacterial hand soap – no exfoliating beads, no oils, no scents.

(You may consider removing your Saniderm under luke warm or cool soapy water in the shower to loosen the adhesive. ) Pat dry with a paper towel and let air dry for 2-5 minutes. Blot with paper towel. To apply 2nd Saniderm remove the paper backing first, apply sticky side to tattoo, then remove plastic backing (it’s ok if there are air bubbles/wrinkles).

Day 2-6: Leave on for 6 FULL DAYS – During the next 6 days you may still have some plasma, ink, or blood. (If you have an excessive amount of liquid collecting under your bandage and feel replacement is necessary please check out the web link https://www.

rosenoirstudio. com/alternate-aftercare-instructions for replacements. ) You may notice the skin looks dry/peeling/crusty/”cracked”- this is normal. The bandage and area may smell a little bit, this is ok. DO NOT REMOVE BEFORE THE SIXTH DAY.

Doing so will result in color loss and can require a touch up at an additional cost. It is harmful to the tattoo and to your health to leave a healing tattoo untreated. If your Saniderm peels up before the 6th day, carefully cut the excess off. If the tattoo is exposed place another small piece of Saniderm (or similar product) to cover it.

(See drugstore products at QR code link. ) Day 6: Now it’s time to remove. Wash again and apply a thin layer of Sanibalm or lotion/moisturizer to your tattoo. Day 7 +: Use thin layers of Sanibalm/lotion/moisturizer for several days or weeks until skin is smooth again.

You will most likely experience peeling and itchiness. Your tattoo is fully healed when your skin is smooth and no longer shiny. This can take several weeks or several months. Everybody’s skin is different. Long term care: Keeping your skin moisturized will keep your tattoo looking fresh and bright. ​ While your Saniderm is on DO NOT: ​

• DO NOT soak your new tattoo- no baths/swimming (running water/showering is ok). Soaking can lead to major infections.

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• DO NOT apply soap, lotions, oils, on or around the patch.

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• DO NOT expose you tattoo to direct sunlight, this will be painful and can damage the skin until it is healed over.

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• DO NOT allow shampoo/conditioner to run down the patch.

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• DO NOT sweat excessively- this can push ink out and weaken the adhesive- sweat will collect under the Saniderm and smell bad and clog your sweat glands resulting in bumpy skin, raised scarred tissue, color loss, and possible infection.

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• DO NOT move or stretch your tattooed skin excessively until it is fully healed (up to 14 days).

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• DO NOT allow pets or animals to come into contact with your healing tattoo (if contact occurs with exposed (uncovered) skin, wash immediately with antibacterial soap, then apply plain lotion).

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• DO NOT allow plants (such as when gardening) to come into contact with your healing tattoo (if contact occurs with exposed skin, wash immediately with antibacterial soap, then apply plain lotion).

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• Most importantly, do not listen to your friends who say you can’t have a tattoo wrapped that long. This product is much different from what they’ve used before. It is intended for long wear. This is not saran wrap.

Signs of Infection: Signs and symptoms of an infection include but are not limited to, redness, swelling, tenderness of the procedure site, red streaks going from the procedure site to towards the heart, elevated body temperature, or pus-filled drainage from the procedure site. Seek medical care if you have a fever, extreme pain 3 or more days after the tattoo procedure, spreading rash well outside of the tattooed area, worsening and spreading redness around the tattoo, blisters on the tattoo, red streaking around tattoo, or foul odor and pus drainage.

1. I highly recommend Sanibalm or Sanibalm+ from the makers of Saniderm;
2. Always wear sunscreen, tanning and sun fading will make a tattoo look dull and will diminish the pigments;
3. How it works: After a tattoo your skin is left damaged so your body begins working immediately to heal itself by sending liquid enzymes and plasma to your skin’s surface;

These dry out and become scabs. With a tattoo, it is vital to avoid scabs. The healing patches allow the enzymes and plasma to stay moist and therefore heal your skin without drying out. The patches are breathable so your skin is not suffocated. Saniderm also keeps your new tattoo clean and safe from outside bacteria, dirt, lint from clothing, etc.

which will help prevent infection. Furthermore, the patches help to protect your clothing and bedding from ink and blood that seeps out during the first several days. Long term care: Keeping your skin moisturized will keep your tattoo looking shiny and bright.

Always wear sunscreen, tanning and sun fading will make a tattoo look dull and will diminish the pigments. Frequently asked questions: Q: What do I do if my skin looks irritated around the edges of the Saniderm? A: Irritation can occur for several reasons such as:

• Saniderm has been applied too tight
• There is excessive movement of the skin around the Saniderm
• The area wasn’t washed clean of the adhesive from the previous Saniderm piece
• Too much sweat.

Irritation can look like:

• Bumps, hives, clogged pores/pimples  •   Blisters  •    Redness  •    Itchiness

When this happens, gently clean the area with antibacterial soap. Then use some rubbing alcohol on a paper towel to wipe the area. Apply some light moisturizer and give the skin a few days to heal. Q: What do I do if I take my Saniderm off early? A: If for any reason you remove your Saniderm early, it is extremely important to take necessary steps to prevent infections and to ensure your tattoo heals properly. ​ Q: Why is my tattoo oozing liquids after the first day? A: This can be caused by several factors:

• Some people bleed and/or excrete plasma more than others during the healing process.
• Too much movement and stretching of the skin.
• The area was not cleaned well enough before application.

If there is excessive liquid, your Saniderm should be replaced again. ​ HELP! My Saniderm was removed early- Alternate Instructions for Early Removal: If you have removed your Saniderm wrap early or it has peeled up on its own, exposing your tattoo and you do not have enough Saniderm for a replacement, you have two options to ensure your tattoo heals properly and vibrantly.

• Scroll down for further instructions;
• Early means before a total of 7 days wrapped, 6 days for second set;
• ​ OPTION 1 (best and easiest option): Go to your local Walgreens/CVS and purchase Tegaderm (usually near the bandaids);

Do not purchase anti-bacterial bandages, they look similar. See photos below for different product packaging, and look for similar products. Apply and wear the Tegaderm for the remainder of the week. Make sure to apply it to your freshly cleansed tattoo, lease use antibacterial soap.

Follow all instructions provided on your aftercare sheet (listed above). ​ OPTION 2: You must keep your tattoo clean and prevent it from drying out and scabbing. To do this, wash your tattoo thoroughly with antibacterial soap 3 times a day.

Immediately following use Sanibalm or plain lotion to moisturize (plain lotion should be unscented, free of oils, perfumes, butters, etc. Apply a thin layer and rub into skin well, do not leave excess lotion on skin. Try Aveeno, Cetaphil or Lubriderm. I do not recommend petroleum based products like Aquaphor.

It is vital to wash a full 3 times daily until your tattoo is fully healed. Washing removes infection causing bacteria. Moisturizing is important to prevent think scabs from forming. Scabs will pull out ink and dull or eliminate color.

You will have peeling for several days, this is normal. Your tattoo is fully healed once your skin has peeled completely and is smooth again which may take several weeks..

How do you fix a smudged tattoo

How Tattoo Blowout Can Be Fixed – Unfortunately, once blowout occurs, there’s nothing you can do to reverse it. In order to “fix” the blurry ink, you can try to correct it with additional tattooing. This may mean getting a full cover-up tattoo that covers the old, messed-up design, but it could also mean finding a tattoo artist who can work with the fuzzy and over-blown lines to simply clean up the ink.

• Either way, it’s imperative that you choose a new, experienced artist to work with who can easily navigate your traumatized skin to make it look much better;
• If you decide to go this route, note that you’ll have to wait until the original tattoo is fully healed before getting another one;

This may mean living with a blown-out tattoo for two weeks, if not longer. You’ll also have to opt for a tattoo that’s larger and darker than the original, so work with your new artist to create a design you’ll love, despite the new restrictions. Another way to handle tattoo blowout is with lasers.

1. “You can treat blowout with lasers used to remove tattoos, which include [the] Q-Switched:ND:YAG laser or picosecond lasers like [the] PicoWay system,” says dermatologist Caren Campbell;
2. These types of lasers are used in tattoo removal, but can also be used to specifically target parts of a tattoo that have been blown out;

Over the course of a few sessions, you can effectively erase the blurry parts of a tattoo to create the crisp design you originally wanted. If you’d rather not worry about being precise, you can always fix tattoo blowout by getting the design fully removed with lasers.

Can tattoo ink be smeared?

Are you thinking about getting a tattoo? Would you like it to keep its clarity and color for many years to come? Taking a look at your tattoo and seeing that it looks smudged and blurry can be extremely disconcerting. Yes, tattoos can look smudged, and several factors can cause it. That being said, smudged-looking tattoos aren’t all that common, and you can reduce the likelihood of it happening by following a few simple steps and taking certain precautions. Choosing an experienced artist should be your primary focus.

Why does my new tattoo looks smeared

– You’ll know you’re experiencing a tattoo blowout within several days of getting a new tattoo. Some people experience mild blowouts, while in other cases, blowouts are more extreme. In all cases, tattoo blowouts cause the lines in your tattoo to blur, and the ink used to create the lines usually moves well outside the edges of the tattoo.

Do tattoo blowouts go away

While most tattoo blowouts are somewhat noticeable very shortly after the needle has injected the ink into the wrong layer of skin, it can sometimes take up to a few weeks while your tattoo is healing for the blown-out ink to disperse throughout the layer enough to become noticeable on the surface.

Can tattoo look blurry while healing

Inconsistent or Poor Aftercare – This is one of the major reasons why a new tattoo will look blurry. One of the most important things you can do after getting a tattoo is clean it and keep it moisturized with lotion or beard oil. This process must be done for several weeks following your session to provide sufficient healing time.

When should you take Saniderm off tattoo?

SANIDERM Leave your Saniderm on for four full days after getting your tattoo. It is waterproof, so go ahead and shower as usual – however, please don’t tempt fate with a bath or soaking. Its normal for your saniderm to fill with plasma, ink and blood. It typically creates a dark brown liquid that sits on your tattoo under the plastic.

1. Leave it Alone;
2. After a couple of days, the liquid will start to harden up under the saniderm;
3. If you experience redness around the saniderm that lasts longer than a couple of days, you may be having a slight reaction to the adhesive on the bandage;

You can always remove the saniderm if you feel like you’re having a reaction – You know your body best. But, if something feels wrong, please reach out to your artist directly with a photo of the area you’re concerned about as this may save you un-necessary trauma to the area, caused by removing the bandage too soon.

1. If for some reason the liquid leaks out the bottom of the Saniderm, the saniderm rolls up exposing the tattoo, or there is a puncture made in the plastic, you need to remove the saniderm or re-apply the saniderm;

* You cannot leave saniderm on your tattoo, if it is leaking. If bacteria can get out of your bandage, it can get in – leaving you susceptible to infection. You cannot Tape saniderm back on, this is not a sanitary way to re-attach your saniderm. You cannot re-apply saniderm if it has been over two days since your tattoo session, at this point in the healing, re-applying new saniderm can cause more harm than good.

1. If you would rather not re-bandage the tattoo or its been over two days since your tattoo was done , please remove the saniderm immediately and care for your tattoo using the directions provided below;

If you would like to Re-apply saniderm to your tattoo and it hasn’t been over two days since your tattoo was done, please follow these instructions: Wash your hands and remove the original saniderm slowly, THOROU GHLY CLEAN THE TATTOO WITH ANTIBACTERIAL, FRAGRANCE FREE SOAP.

(This step is crucial as any bacteria left on the tattoo will be trapped underneath the new application of saniderm, possibly causing infection. ) Then, let the tattoo air dry – do not touch any towels to the area.

Once area is completely dry and your hands are also clean and dry, re apply the saniderm with at least an inch border on every side of the tattoo. You can purchase replacement saniderm on Amazon Prime, or buy it at target or Walmart. Sometimes its called Teccaderm – however its the same product.

Please only re-apply the saniderm if you can follow the instructions perfectly. If you cannot follow these instructions perfectly, you should not replace the saniderm. Any fault in this process, can result in complications that I, nor any other tattoo artist, will not be liable for.

After four days, the best way to remove your saniderm is to slowly peel it off in the shower. It might be sore, so don’t panic if it’s tender. After the saniderm is removed, wash and moisturize your tattoo as usual using the directions below. REGULAR BANDAGES Leave the bandage on for one to four hours.

Remove the bandage, wash your hands – then gently wash the new tattoo with Dial Antibacterial Unscented hand soap and warm water. You will want to do this 3 times a day for about a week after getting the tattoo.

Stick to unscented until the tattoo is healed to avoid a nasty stinging sensation on your fresh tattoo. Carefully dry the tattoo with clean paper towels using a soft dabbing motion, or let it air dry. For Larger Tattoos: Massage a very thin, almost translucent layer of Aquaphor, Hustle Butter, or Coconut Oil on the tattoo.

After three or four days, switch from the thicker ointments to a gentle unscented lotion of your choice, THIS STEP IS CRITICAL. Massage in thoroughly, this helps keep the itchy, “peely” healing process under control.

Make sure to dab off excess ointment after application, you don’t want your tattoo to be shiny. For Smaller Tattoos: No need for ointments of any kind, just use a gentle unscented lotion of your choice. Massage a thin layer into your tattoo thoroughly, apply 3-5 times a day.

1. This helps keeps the itchy, peely healing process under control;
2. Don’t freak out if your tattoo is red and/or irritated for a few days after your appointment, this is totally normal;
3. Don’t re-bandage your tattoo for any reason, we want it to breathe in the fresh air;

Do keep up the washing regiment at least once a day for 7-10 days after getting the tattoo. It helps speed up the healing process and relieve the itching. Don’t overdo the ointment , it can clog your pores and ultimately mess up your tattoo – try to keep the applications thin and down to 3-5 times a day.

This is the most common issue I see clients deal with. Don’t pick! Its normal for the tattoo to be itchy, but resist the scratching! If you pick or scratch a healing tattoo, you can pull out pigments and create scar tissue.

Don’t get into any hot tubs, swimming pools, baths or anything else that might submerge your tattoo underwater for long periods of time for two weeks. Avoid saunas and tanning beds for two weeks as well. Do call us with questions! Although usually helpful, don’t ask Google or your friends for advice regarding tattoo stuff.

If you have any questions or concerns about your new artwork, please don’t hesitate to call or stop by the shop – that’s what we’re here for! Remember, severe redness that spreads outward or in streaks, extreme swelling, and yellow or green puss can all be signs of an infection.

If you believe there is an infection, go see your doctor. However, stopping by the shop to have a trained artist look at your tattoo, may save you a trip..

How long should I leave Saniderm on my new tattoo

Saniderm – When your session is finished, your artist will clean and wrap your new tattoo using a Saniderm bandage. If you are unfamiliar with this revolutionary tattoo healing product then we recommend learning more about it here. Below are the care instructions copied directly from Saniderm’s website : “After you apply the first Saniderm bandage, we recommend leaving it on your new tattoo for between 8 to 24 hours.

Everyone heals differently, and the length of time will vary depending on how much fluid your tattoo is weeping. When the adhesion of the Saniderm bandage begins to weaken, that’s your cue to remove or replace the bandage.

If you notice excessive weeping or fluid under your currently applied piece of Saniderm, it’s okay to carefully replace it with a new one. If your tattoo exudes more plasma and blood than usual, you may find yourself having to change it earlier. This is common with heavy saturation and color work.

Regardless of how much fluid build-up you experience, you should always change the initial film at the 24-hour mark to clean the area. Before replacing your Saniderm with a new bandage, you may apply a thin layer of aftercare product.

If you live in a climate with high humidity or have naturally oily skin, this is not necessary. But for those in low humidity climates or who have dry skin, a thin layer of moisturizer can help ease discomfort and itchiness due to dry skin. Once you’ve applied the second bandage, it can be worn for up to 6 days.

• If you find the tattoo weeps into the second piece, remove it at the next 24 hour period;
• Then wash the tattoo, apply aftercare if needed, and apply a third piece;
• This third piece can be worn for up to 5 days;

Saniderm should not be worn for more than 7 days total.

How do I know if I messed up my tattoo

What is an overworked tattoo?

Natalia Lebedinskaia/Shutterstock New tattoos usually take two to three weeks to fully heal, and with good aftercare, they should heal perfectly, per Glamour Magazine. However, there are times when the healing process of a new tattoo doesn’t go as smoothly as it should. This can be so in the case of overworked tattoos. Otherwise known as a tattoo blowout (via Healthline ), an overworked tattoo is what happens when a tattoo causes scarring or when the tattoo ink goes past the dermis layer and reaches the hypodermis, per Demi Ink.

1. An effect of this is that the tattoo begins to look blurry, per Byrdie;
2. Overworked tattoos are more likely when you patronize beginner tattoo artists, and the problem with overworked skin is that it only becomes truly apparent to the client once the tattoo begins to heal, per Saved Tattoo;

The discolored skin that slowly forms is a big hallmark of a tattoo blowout. It can be the result of the high voltage on the machine affecting its speed, per Tattooing 101. A tattoo artist going over a patch of skin more than once can also result in a tattoo blowout.

What happens if you leave a tattoo bandage on too long?

Fresh tattoos can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to heal. During this healing phase, there are 7 things that can ruin your new tattoo before it has even healed. Bad art from a bad artist It’s possible to ruin your new tattoo by choosing an unskilled artist.

When speaking about skills, I’m not referring to their artistic skills. This would be about the artists’ tattooing procedure and application skills. Everyone’s skin is different skin. Healthy, unhealthy, plump, loose, tight, oily, or dry.

Our skin’s surface, thickness, and tightness are also different throughout our bodies. These differences can have a detrimental impact on how the ink lays into your skin. An inexperienced artist can further implicate this. Finding and choosing an experienced artist goes without question 2.

Keeping your fresh tattoo covered too long Fresh tattoos are open wounds, and after the tattoo session, the artist will cover your new tattoo. Every artist has a different preference for what they use. Some still use the old school plastic Saran Wrap crap made for sandwiches.

Try to avoid using this food cellophane wrap on new ink. Fresh tattoos should be wrapped with a sterile bandage. The best options are medical-grade adhesive bandages and protective tattoo films like Saniderm or Dermalize. Wrapping a fresh tattoo is essential to help the initial healing while providing protection from environmental contaminants like dirt, germs or anything else that should not go near an open wound.

After the wrap has been on for a few hours, you will start to see blood and plasma underneath. Once this happens, it’s time to remove the wrap, as this can block your skin pores from breathing. This can ruin your new tattoo before the first day is over.

And trust me, I’ve ruined two tattoos by leaving the wrap on too long as per the artist’s instructions. The bandage or wrap should stay on no longer than 6-8 hours max. If using products like Saniderm or Dermalize, you can always remove it, clean the tattoo and apply a new layer.

• Tattoo Infections As discussed above, the post-procedure wrapping helps protect your skin from getting infected;
• Once unwrapped, keep your skin clean and follow proper tattoo aftercare instructions;
• This will ensure your new tattoo heals without getting infected;

During tattoo healing, avoid touching your ink unless washing or applying aftercare. It’s very easy to transfer dirt and germs onto your fresh tattoo (open wound) from dirty hands. Sleeping with a fresh tattoo Getting a goods night’s sleep can be awkward during the tattoo healing process.

• Even more awkward is the size and location of your new tattoo;
• Try to avoid laying on the tattoo, and or having it covered under the sheets or blankets;
• Covering a fresh tattoo under blankets or sheets can cause a risk of infection;

The bed is a great place for hidden germs that you do not want to get into an open wound. The same as above, your skin needs to breathe, so not covering up under the sheets helps. Then there’s the issue of laying on the tattoo. You risk having the tattoo stick to the bed or pick up dirt and germs.

• You can always lay down a clean towel on the bed if you need to;
• Another option for sleeping is applying a breathable medical wrap like Saniderm;
• Make sure to remove it as soon as you wake up so that there’s not too much blood and plasma accumulation;

Cleaning and excess water exposure Keeping a fresh tattoo clean goes without question. So never submerge a fresh tattoo underwater. Also, avoid excessive water exposure while showering. Our skin is like a sponge and it will absorb the water, which can damage the tattoo.

When it comes to cleaning your new tattoo, make sure you do this several times a day. You can read our 17 Best Tips To Heal New Tattoos here. Picking or scratching itchy or peeling skin During the tattoo healing stages, some people experience itchy and scabby skin.

The reason for this to happen is part of your skin’s healing process. But whatever you do, resist the urge to pick or peel your skin as this can damage the color and lines of your new tattoo. To avoid or end any itchy peeling skin during tattoo healing, always use a good aftercare product.

• Keep your tattoo clean and moisturized several times throughout the day;
• Don’t let your tattoo get dry, and only apply a thin layer of tattoo aftercare after every cleaning;
• Now, in regards to peeling and itchy skin, I have never suffered from this;

I followed the above directions and none of my 21 tattoos have ever peeled or got itchy. Excessive sun exposure Excessive sun exposure is a fast way to ruin a new tattoo. Be aware of any direct sun exposure on your fresh ink. If you must be outside, always keep your tattoo covered, for at least the first 40 days.

• Cover Up with clothing or try to stay out of the sun;
• Never apply any sunscreen on a fresh tattoo;
• Some of these products have ingredients that are not good for your fresh ink during healing;
• A list of nasty skincare ingredients will be for another blog;

After your new tattoo has healed, make sure to keep it protected with quality sunscreen product if going outside. Excessive direct UVA/UVB sun exposure  accelerates skin aging, which causes tattoo fading.

Is it normal for a tattoo to look blurry during healing

Inconsistent or Poor Aftercare – This is one of the major reasons why a new tattoo will look blurry. One of the most important things you can do after getting a tattoo is clean it and keep it moisturized with lotion or beard oil. This process must be done for several weeks following your session to provide sufficient healing time.

How long should you keep a bandage on a tattoo?

This info should guide you through the care of healing your tattoo, but if you have any other questions while it is healing, do not hesitate to contact your artist directly or call the shop for immediate reply. There are no stupid questions about healing.

– After your tattoo is completed, your artist will bandage your tattoo for your trip home. Leave the bandage on for one to three hours. When you take the bandage off, wash it with very warm water (as hot as is comfortable) and mild liquid hand soap (like Dr.

Bronner’s, Dial or Softsoap, just no perfumed or exfoliating body washes). Pat it dry gently with a paper towel, and let it air dry the rest of the way (never scrub the tattoo with a towel or sponge). Then you will apply a very small amount of Aquaphor Ointment or plain, unscented skin lotion (we recommend Aveeno, Lubriderm, Curel, or any of their generics) to the tattoo, just enough to lightly moisturize.

• Your first night sleeping, your artist might recommend you re-wrap the tattoo with plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap) to sleep without the tattoo sticking to your sheets. This is generally for larger or solid-color tattoos. If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight.
• Every day from then on, you will wash the tattoo in the morning and at night, and apply lotion 3 times a day or so, or whenever the tattoo feels dry or tight.
• Always wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
• DO NOT apply Vaseline, Neosporin, Bacitracin or any other medicated or perfumed product to your tattoo.
• After a few days, the tattoo will form a thin scab over it, and in about a week the scab will begin to flake off in the shower. DO NOT pick or scratch at the scab, just keep it clean and moist and the scabs will all fall off by themselves in about two weeks. Picking any of the scabs off will cause faded color and damage to the skin.

During healing do NOT:

• Wrap the tattoo after the first night (wearing breathable clothes over it is fine as long as they are not causing friction. (Keeping tattoos wrapped in plastic or bandages will stop air from getting to the tattoo, slow healing, and make gross stuff grow in there. )
• Submerge the tattoo in water. This means baths, pools and oceans. Regular showering is fine.
• Expose it to strong sunlight (Like outdoor activities or beach days. Walking to your car is fine)
• Shave over the tattoo (ouch!)

When all the scabs fall off and the skin feels smooth again to the touch, it is all healed and you can shave over it again, and swim and everything else. Sometimes after the scab falls off there is a secondary shiny, raised or waxy coat over the tattoo. This is just another healing layer of skin. Continue to moisturize it and it will smooth out by itself over time. If you have any questions about your tattoo while its healing you are always welcome to come by the shop and have us check it out, or email the artist who did the tattoo with “AFTERCARE” in the subject line for an immediate response.

1. Do not slather a big, thick coat of product over it; just enough for it to stay moist and flexible;
2. If you are using Aquaphor, you can switch to a plain lotion after the first few days;
3. Lotion is generally fine for everyone, your artist will recommend if you would benefit from ointment;

If something doesn’t look perfect After your tattoo is finished healing, we’ll do our best to make it right. Sometimes with excessive scabbing, or other unpredictable reactions during healing, your skin can reject some ink, leaving a “light spot” that is closer to your skin color in the tattoo (or a line might get thinner or lighter in one spot).

This is common as its unlikely your body will accept every spot of pigment uniformly, so just contact your artist via email after your tattoo is finished healing with a photo to see if a small touch up is in order.

Unless you were negligent during the care of your tattoo, touch-ups are very minor and quick, and guaranteed by our artists if you contact them about it within 3 months of getting the tattoo. Because older tattoos that have settled in fully and aged require more work to make uniform, we suggest coming in as soon as possible when it’s healed, as touch ups are performed for a fee at the artist’s discretion after 3 months.