At Diamante Studios, we care about the appearance of your healed tattoo. With that being said, aftercare is the final and most IMPORTANT step in the tattoo process. Please read the methods below to best determine the aftercare for your healing tattoo. A combination of methods 1 and 2 IS NOT RECOMMENDED. Please only use one or the other.
Remove the bandage after 3 hours, but no more than 12. Don’t remove the bandage until you can properly clean the tattoo with mild (unscented) liquid soap and warm water using only your fingertips. Rinse it well, sloughing off as much of the slimy coating that may have formed over the tattooed area while underneath the bandage. Gently pat it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel, then allow it to air-dry for 15 minutes before applying ointment.
Apply A&D ointment or a specialty tattoo-healing product (Aquaphor) to the tattoo as needed (up to 3 times a day), massaging a very small amount into the skin to keep the tattoo slightly moist, but NOT smothered. Use just enough ointment to make the tattoo slightly shiny, and blot off any excess. For the first day or two, your tattoo may require more cleaning or blotting, as the traumatized skin will still be losing a small amount of fluid. Ensure that extra moisture doesn’t get trapped under the ointment, by blotting and air-drying after each washing. Spray Bactine (Pain relieving cleansing spray- first aid antiseptic/pain reliever) on your tattoo 3-4 times daily in the first 4 days of healing.
The healing tattoo should never stay submerged in water. Therefore, limit yourself to only short showers until the tattoo has finished peeling. It’s also important that a fresh tattoo be protected from the sun and dirty environments, as it’s still an open wound at this time. All normal activities involving water or sun exposure can usually be resumed after 10-14 days.
Only apply ointment for as long as it takes for your tattoo to peel, usually 3-7 days. When the peeling begins, the tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn. At all costs avoid picking at the cracked and flaking skin. When the tattoo has fully entered the peeling phase you should NOT apply any more ointment. The area will become dry and itchy, and a good quality, fragrance-free lotion can now be used until the skin returns to its normal texture.
If bubbles form on the surface of the fresh tattoo, STOP applying the ointment, letting it dry and peel on its own. This bubbling is caused by moisture getting trapped in your tattoo, usually from too much ointment, and could lead to scabbing. If scabs develop, they can remove the color beneath them if prematurely removed. It’s important that they’re allowed to dry out completely, and not get waterlogged at any time. The scab will eventually fall off on its own, and the tattoo should be fine if no deep cracks have formed.
This is the less conventional method, and tends to work well for larger tattoos, as well as tattoos in awkward areas that will be covered with clothing, as this can cause irritation. If you find that your tattoos have healed poorly in the past, this method may be an effective alternative for you.
Remove your bandage after 3-12 hours, and clean it with mild soap and warm water as in Method 1. After washing, gently pat it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel, then allow it to air-dry for 15 minutes. When the tattoo is dry to the touch, cover it completely with a new piece of plastic wrap, using small pieces of tape as needed to hold it in place. Do not use any healing ointment or moisturizer.
With this method, the tattoo is kept completely covered with plastic wrap for 24 hours a day, for as long as it takes to peel – usually 3-5 days. It’s important to wash the tattoo every 4-6 hours or after any period of sweating, letting it completely air-dry afterwards, and applying a new piece of plastic wrap each time. It’s also important not to over-wrap the area, unnecessarily covering untattooed skin, which can trap excess moisture. The same precautions as Method 1 regarding water and sunlight apply to this method as well.
When the peeling begins after 3-5 days, the tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn. At all costs avoid picking at the cracked and flaking skin. When the tattoo has fully entered the peeling phase, discontinue the plastic wrap. The area will become dry and itchy, and a good quality, frangrance-free lotion can now be used until the skin returns to its normal texture.
As mentioned before, moisture can be very detrimental to the healing process. Too much plastic wrap on the surrounding untattooed skin- or not changing the wrap often enough-can lead to development of a moisture rash. This will appear as bright red irritation with tiny pimples around the effected area, and will likely feel painful and itchy. If this happens, do not re-wrap the tattoo or try to medicate it. Instead, let it dry completely and peel on its own. Apply lotion to the area once irritation has diminished.
Remember that until your new tattoo peels, it’s an open wound, and needs to be treated as one. A tattoo is only as good as the skin it is on. Take care of yourself, take care of your skin, and you’ll be taking care of your tattoo. DO NOT: pick, scratch, or shave a healing tattoo. Give your tattoo the time and attention it needs to properly heal. Engaging in actions such as swimming, tanning, removing the bandage early, and general disregard for it, are done at your own peril. If you suspect an infection has developed, please seek medical attention immediately, as untreated tattoo infections can have very serious consequences.
If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at the new business line for Diamante Cultura 260-557-3977 or visit at Ricco Diamante Tattoo 515 West Wayne St. Fort Wayne, IN 46802.