Thank you for getting a tattoo from me! Expect your tattoo to take 4-6 weeks to heal. The following are guidelines for a smooth healing process. **Please note, these are my general guidelines, and you should follow the instructions of whoever is giving you a tattoo

• ALWAYS wash your hands prior to touching your healing tattoo.

• Leave the adhesive bandage on for 3-5 days (unless we used a traditional bandage)

• When removing the bandage, it’s easiest in the shower under warm running water, then peel off gently.

• After bandage is removed, wash with an unscented antibacterial soap (I recommend Dr. Bronner’s Unscented) 

• Pat dry with a CLEAN paper towel (not your kitchen roll next to the sink!), or allow to air dry

• Once fully dry, apply a thin layer of a fragrance-free lotion, such as Lubriderm or any other basic scent-free lotion.

• Wash morning and night until fully healed (no more scabbing or peeling)

• If there is heavy blackwork in your tattoo, expect that it may take even longer than the 4-6 weeks to fully heal and settle in. Fine line and soft shading will heal much faster

Things to Avoid

• Do not bathe or soak your tattoo for at least a month. Showers are fine.

• Do not expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight or use a tanning bed for the first month. After it’s fully healed, please use sunscreen! This will prevent fading and extend the life of the tattoo.

• Do not pick or scratch your healing tattoo. Flaking/scabbing is normal. Picking and scratching can pull off scabs and flakes, which can pull the ink off with it, leaving it looking patchy.

• Avoid going to the gym or doing other rigorous sweaty activities in the first week (especially if the adhesive bandage is still on!) Your new tattoo is an open wound, and introducing a bunch of sweat can lead to infection. Irritation can also occur between sweat and the bandage, so just don’t do it!

• A small amount of liquid will pool in the bandage. This is fine unless it leaks out. If this happens, remove it and start the washing/lotion protocol. **For tattoos that will leak large amounts of liquid, I use traditional bandages, so this will not apply.

Aftercare is very important in order to have a tattoo that lasts through the years! Please take care of your new tattoo as outlined above and WEAR SUNSCREEN. I beg you! Please please just do it.

I offer a free touch up with every tattoo! If it needs it, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email. This must be completed within 6 months of the tattoo. I am happy to touch up tattoos past this point, but there will be a $50-100 charge depending on size/detail.