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Aftercare

Tattoo

Clear Film Bandage Aftercare

Make sure your hands are cleaned thoroughly before removing the bandage and cleaning your tattoo .

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​If worn as a bandage:

  1. Leave on for 8-24 hours. BANDAGE MUST REMAIN INTACT.

  2. To remove bandage: Peel it back SLOWLY, starting from an edge or a corner. Stretch the bandage with the skin (like a command strip), TAKE YOUR TIME. Do not rip off quickly.

  3. Once bandage is removed, clean and wash the tattoo and surrounding area with antibacterial soap and water. Using just your fingers to clean the area is sufficient. Rinse the tattoo and surrounding area with cool water. Keep your tattoo out of the direct spray of the shower head or faucet.

  4. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Be CAREFUL not to rub the tattoo. Before applying any aftercare (tattoo balm or ointment), allow the tattoo to air dry for 3-5 minutes, then dab with a clean, wet paper towel to remove any weeping. Then pat dry completely.

  5. Apply a thin coat of tattoo balm (InkAura) or antibacterial ointment (Aquaphor, Bacitracin, A&D) to the tattoo. Dab off any excess ointment. You should NOT look overly shiny or goopy (thin layer like Chapstick). Clean and apply a new coat of tattoo balm or ointment 3-4 times a day.

  6. Switch to applying an unscented lotion (InkAura, Lubriderm, Jergens, Eucerin) to the tattoo. Clean the tattoo and close surrounding area with soap and water 3-4 times a day. Apply the lotion 6-8 times a day (approximately every 1-2 hours). The lotion should be applied at least 2 times after a cleaning before the next cleaning. Once you start, apply lotion for 10-14 days.

 

If used as part of the aftercare process:

  1. Leave on for 3-5 days as directed by your tattoo artist

  2. If redness occurs outside the tattoo, take the bandage off and discontinue use. Redness will clear up during tattoo healing process once bandage is removed.

  3. To remove bandage: Peel it back SLOWLY, starting from an edge or a corner. Stretch the bandage with the skin (like a command strip), TAKE YOUR TIME. Do not rip off quickly.

  4. Once bandage is removed, clean and wash the tattoo and surrounding area with antibacterial soap and water. Using just your fingers to clean the area is sufficient. Rinse the tattoo and surrounding area with cool water. Keep your tattoo out of the direct spray of the shower head or faucet.

  5. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Be CAREFUL not to rub the tattoo. Before applying any aftercare (tattoo balm or ointment), allow the tattoo to air dry for 3-5 minutes, then dab with a clean, wet paper towel to remove any weeping. Then pat dry completely.

  6. Apply an unscented lotion (InkAura, Lubriderm, Jergens, Eucerin) to the tattoo. Clean the tattoo and close surrounding area with soap and water 3-4 times a day. Apply the lotion 6-8 times a day (approximately every 1-2 hours). The lotion should be applied at least 2 times after a cleaning before the next cleaning. Once you start, apply lotion for 10-14 days.

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During the healing process, your tattoo will peal or flake, similar to a sunburn. DO NOT pick, itch or scratch at these flakes. When you clean, some of these flakes will come off the tattoo and the rest will be removed from the tattoo in additional cleanings. Wearing loose fitting clothing around the tattoo area can reduce the amount the tattoo is rubbed unnecessarily. Tattoos generally take 10-14 days to heal completely, but this may vary from person to person.

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A touch up is a small amount of ink or imperfection due to the healing process. NOT ALL TATTOOS NEED TOUCH UPS. After your tattoo is healed, contact your artist with any questions regarding a touch up. If a touch up is needed there is no charge within the first 6 months of receiving a tattoo.

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Our studio is sponsored by InkAura, and we recommend using their products for the aftercare process. InkAura products can be purchased from EpiQue Tattoo Supply: epiquesupply.com.

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What happens if I get an ink sack?

Most ink sacks are normal. You are healing in your own plasma, so it's to be expected that you will have some bodily fluids sloshing around under your bandage. It will not harm your tattoo.

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When you should be concerned about an ink sack is if it leaking or about to burst.
Go to your local Target/Walgreens/CVS/Walmart and look for "Nexcare Tegaderm Waterproof Dressing, Hospital Grade Bandages" or a similar off-brand match. You may also want to pick up some self-adhering wrap to hold your bandage in place. To drain your tattoo, you have two options:

  • If your bandage is leaking from the top/bottom/corner: Wash your hands prior to and directly after managing your leaking bandage. Drain the liquid out the side over a sink with paper towel. Then, use your new patch to hold the corner of the bandage down. You can also wrap your arm in self-adhering wrap to keep the bandage in place.

  • If your bandage is overwhelmingly full in the middle, but not close to any corners, you will need to patch it in the middle. Wash your hands prior to and directly after managing your leaking bandage. Use a mildly sharp object (tweezers, back of an earing, etc.) to poke a hole in your bandage and drain the liquid over a sink with paper towel. PLEASE CLEAN YOUR "POKING" ITEM OFF WITH RUBBING ALCOHOL BEFORE USING IT AGAIN. Stick your patch over the hole to make your bandage last another day or two.

 

If your bandage is peeling, rolling off, or barely holding on, you may need a new bandage entirely.

  • Wash your hands and remove the bandage.

  • Clean your tattoo and surrounding area with antibacterial, unscented soap and water.

  • Rinse your tattoo with cool water and pat dry with a paper towel. Let air dry for 3-5 minutes.

  • At this point, you can either use traditional aftercare instructions (on the aftercare sheet I provided). Or, you can re-wrap your tattoo with a new bandage (Tegaderm, Saniderm, SecondSkin, Recovery Derm Shield).

  • If you re-wrap your tattoo, make sure your tattoo and surrounding surface area is dry before applying your new dressing. If you use multiple bandage pieces, make sure to have at least 1 inch of overlap where the bandages come together, or your bandage may leak again.

 

If you still have concerns about what to do, please email your artist! We are here for you throughout your healing process. 

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