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These aftercare instructions are my own preference and opinion, as I do not claim to be an expert in skincare, esthetics, or dermal health. Though I consider these aftercare practices to be safe and successful for most skin types, contacting your dermatologist or PCP will always be the most effective choice if there’s reason for concern.

My Aftercare Office (me) is open 24/7 for questions regarding aftercare: tamponparty@gmail.com

  • Even if your bandage is leaking only a little, it’s important to remove the patch as soon as possible. If anything is able to exit the tattoo, that means anything is able to enter it as well! Proceed with bandage removal and a full cleaning, as outlined below. Finish with a fresh application of unscented lotion, also explained in the following sections.

  • Nope! After the initial bandage is removed, you can clean the tattoo and apply lotion.

    Some artists recommend removal of Saniderm/Dermshield the day after the tattoo procedure and a reapplication of a new bandage. This is often recommended for tattoos with heavy, solid shading, as those tattoos will purge a lot more plasma and ink in the first few days. Since I mostly work with lighter lines and less packed-in shading, this is not typically necessary when healing pieces I’ve tattooed.

  • Newer tattoos can often handle drying out a bit more than they can handle over-moisturization. Think of it like a scab— a heavy layer of ointment across multiple days will likely muddy the surface of the scab, keeping it from healing most smoothly.

    Your tattoo should be comfortably hydrated like the rest of your skin, typically needing 2-3 applications of lotion daily, throughout the first 1-2 weeks of healing. If you notice flakiness or peeling, apply lotion as needed to assist in moisturizing, while avoiding picking or peeling any of the natural shedding.

    If you notice after 7 days that areas of your tattoo remain gooey or wet, it may be a sign of overmoisturizing leading to the trapping of bacteria and ultimately, infection. Contact me immediately and we’ll assess the tattoo together and take any necessary next steps.

Cleaning Your Tattoo

❋ In the shower, let the water run gently over the exposed tattoo to rinse it off.

❋ Lather a small amount of unscented antibacterial soap (the kind you use for hand-washing, such as Gold Dial) in your hands and gently clean the tattoo by moving your fingertips in small circles across the surface. You might feel the gelatinous layer of plasma or ink on the surface of the skin.

❋ Continue with gentle cleaning until you no longer feel that gelatinous layer anywhere on the tattoo. Rinse well.

❋ Proceed with your shower routine, avoiding your tattoo. Rinse the tattoo a final time before exiting the shower.

❋ Dab your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. Do NOT use a towel or other non-disposable that could transfer bacteria. After patting the tattoo dry, allow it to air out for 10-15 minutes.

❋ With clean hands, apply a sheer layer of unscented lotion to the tattoo, gently rubbing it into the skin.

❋ If the tattoo is 1-2 days old, you may need to shield the cleaned/moisturized tattoo with a layer. This could be a long-sleeve shirt, comfortable pant, or any other CLEAN clothing item that can be worn all day without removal. In the early days of the tattoo, think of it like a scab— we want it to have the opportunity to air out and heal, but fully open exposure risks contact with bacteria, pet dander, or sharp corners/objects that could harm the tattoo. Keeping a clean fabric layer over the tattoo minimizes what comes in contact with the healing skin, though it’s important that the layer isn’t compressing the tattoo. After the first few days of healing, you should be able to apply lotion and move throughout your day without concern of exposure.

❋ You also won’t need to clean the tattoo outside of your normal shower routine after days 4-5, while a morning and evening cleaning is recommended during the first 1-3 days.

Using Dermshield & Saniderm

  • Allergies & Infection

    It’s normal for the tattoo itself to be red the first day, but if you notice redness or hives along the perimeter of the bandage, it’s best to remove the patch. Immediately clean the tattoo as outlined above, and hydrate with a thin layer of unscented lotion. If the redness doesn’t subside within 24-48 hours, or if it seems to worsen, reach out to me.

    Signs of infection include redness, heat, irritation, and pain to the touch. You might also notice white or yellowish residue crusting along the tattoo. If this occurs, let me know immediately. We can assess the tattoo together and decide if the help of a dermatologist or primary care physician is needed.

  • Days 1-2

    Over the first couple days, excess ink molecules, blood, and plasma will flood the surface of the tattoo, creating a liquid bubble beneath the surface of the adhesive. This is normal! The best thing you can do is leave it alone.

    During this stage, keep an eye out for any punctures or leaking edges. If you notice any, remove the bandage completely and clean as outlined above, moisturizing with unscented lotion afterward.

  • Days 3-4

    The liquid bubble should be reabsorbing into the skin, self-regulating the moisture levels of your tattoo. Once all the liquid has been reabsorbed, the bandage should have fully shriveled back down onto the surface of the tattoo, and there should be no liquid movement under the bandage when you run a fingertip across the surface. At that point, it’s time for removal!

  • Bandage Removal

    Before removal, wash and dry both hands.

    Some prefer to remove the adhesive bandage in the shower under running water, while others will remove the adhesive dry. This is strictly a preference thing, as some bandages can get gummy when fully wet and may be harder to remove.

    To remove, roll up one corner of the plastic and slowly peel it back toward the tattoo, using the index and middle fingers on the opposite hand to gently hold down the skin from where you’re peeling. Continue lifting the edges of the patch all the way around the circumference, moving in a spiral toward the center of the tattoo.

    Be careful not to remove the patch too quickly— tugging at the plastic can split the adhesive, leaving behind small specks of residue on the tattoo and surrounding skin. If this occurs, do not use any chemical adhesive removal on the skin, and do not scrub your tattoo! The adhesive bits will slough off on their own, it just may take an extra day or two.

    Once the bandage is fully removed, carefully dispose and wash your hands once more.

  • Days 5-7

    With the bandage removed, clean the tattoo as outlined. After airing out the cleaned tattoo for 10-15 minutes, apply an unscented lotion.

    Throughout the following days, the uppermost layers of the tattoo may start to peel and flake. This is normal and an important part of the healing process— do NOT pick at it! Any of it! Leave Britney alone! Continue applying lotion when dry, and let the flakes slough off naturally. It’ll totally flake onto your hands, but don’t freak out. Just make sure the lotion is rubbed into the tattoo, and then wash your hands.

    The peeling stage should only last a few days. It’s gonna get itchy, but that’s a good sign! That means the deeper layers of skin are healing as the upper layers begin to shed. Do your best not to scratch— itching your tattoo as its healing WILL lift ink out of the skin! If you’re really struggling, try patting the tattoo with your fingertips or apply a fresh layer of lotion.

  • Following Weeks

    While the tattoo is healing, DO NOT apply any sort of numbing cream, spray, or other numbing topicals. Numbing products applied to fresh or healing tattoos will chemically burn the skin, and your tattoo will burn off and likely become infected before scarring over.

    Avoid prolonged exposure to bodies of water (baths, pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, etc.) for at least 3 weeks after receiving your tattoo. Submerging a fresh tattoo in any liquid greatly increases the chances of improper healing and infection that could lead to serious illness.

    I also recommend waiting at least one week before engaging in physical exercise, whether at home or in a gym. Treat your healing tattoo like a burn or wound— give your body time to recover and accept the tattoo into your body, while avoiding opportunities for contact with public and/or infectious surfaces.

    The better care you take of your tattoo while it’s healing, the better it’ll look in the long run!