Aftercare Instructions for healing your tattoo
Recovery Dermshield Aftercare
Recovery Derm Shield is a transparent matte film adhesive bandage. Derm Shield offers maximum breathability and flexibility, providing optimal conditions for gentle healing and skin renewal. It eliminates scabbing and reduces the risk of scarring, while preventing exposure to bacteria, dirt, and abrasion. Derm Shield is waterproof, but permeable to allow skin perspiration, and it is durable enough to keep up with your everyday activities. It works by locking in your body's natural healing fluids so your tattoo stays hydrated and heals quickly and efficiently with no scabbing and reduced scarring. Another perk--because it is breathable, you can wear it for several days at a time while your tattoo heals. This allows you to skip out on the frequent washing and ointment applying involved with traditional tattoo aftercare.
○ When you leave the shop, you will have a piece of Derm Shield protecting your tattoo, and you will be given a second sheet to take home with you. You'll notice that fluid will gather underneath of your bandage during the first 24 hours; this is a mix of plasma, ink, and a minimal amount of blood, and is completely normal.
○ Approximately 24 hours after the completion of your tattoo you will have an accumulation of fluid in the bandage. If it is not more than a tablespoon or two of fluid and isn’t close to bursting at any edges you can continue to keep that first bandage on. If you DO have have more fluid in the bandage or it has already leaked out of the bandage you will need to change it.
To do so, please follow the below instructions:
Wash your hands, and gently peel off the existing Derm Shield. Wash the tattoo with gentle soap, and warm water. We recommend Dr. Bronner's All-One Baby Hemp Unscented Pure-Castile Bar Soap.
If using a different soap, please opt for something that is non-scented and non-dyed. Once you clean your tattoo, make sure all the soap has been rinsed, then gently pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not use a bath towel or cloth as this can leave bacteria or fibers on your fresh tattoo. The area must be completely dry, with no ointments or lotions.
Peel the provided Derm Shield, as shown at your appointment, and adhere it to your tattoo. As a friendly reminder, you must peel the white paper sections off first then apply it adhesive side down with the plus signs facing upwards. If needed, have a friend help. Leave the second piece of bandage on for 4 to 6 days (preferably 6 days, as this will give you the best benefit from the bandages healing. After that time, gently and slowly peel off the Derm Shield. If needed, you can do this in the shower, and it will help it peel off more easily. From here, you can apply lotion when needed, and enjoy your tattoo! Please notify your artist if you have an allergy to adhesives - if so, Derm Shield is NOT recommended for you.
*For some smaller tattoos that don’t end up having much fluid under the bandage, changing the Derm Shield that was placed the day of your appointment is not necessary and you may keep it on for 5 days.*
Traditional Tattoo Aftercare
Suggested Aftercare For Tattoos
1. Remove bandage in a CLEAN bathroom after 2-3 hours. Bandage may be left on overnight if it feels comfortable and secure. If the bandage is removed on the first night, the tattoo may stick to or stain bed sheets. Maintain clean bedding throughout the healing process (about 2 weeks).
2. After removing bandage, wash the tattoo immediately with warm water and soap. We recommend plain Dial soap out of a pump bottle. No soap with fragrance moisture beads or scrubs.
PROCESS FOR WASHING A FRESH TATTOO:
● Carefully remove bandage and tape
● Hop in a hot shower
● Make a lather in your hand with soap and warm water
● Gently clean tattoo using your open palms in a circular motion, until all ointment, blood, and lymphatic fluid are
removed
● Rinse the tattoo and wash once again, gently, until the skin is clean
● Use clean paper towels to pat tattoo dry. DO NOT USE A BATH TOWEL as even fresh from the dryer they can have
bacteria hiding in the little fibers.
3. Only use CLEAN HANDS to wash your tattoo. NO washcloths, bath towels, bath sponges or loofahs on a fresh tattoo.
4. Once the tattoo is dry apply an all natural save such as yayo tattoo aftercare or dr bronners unscented balm. Apply a thin layer and rub it in, then dab excess o with a clean paper towel. Use the that for the first 2-3 days then switch to a regular FRAGRANCE FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, cetaphil or any other fragrance free brand.
5. Fresh tattoos sometimes "weep" during the first couple of days, meaning that plasma and ink form a thin moist coating on the skin. This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel. Press the paper towel to the skin and remove. Do not wipe the tattoo or be rough with it. Do not panic when you see the colors of the tattoo on the paper towel, or on your hands as you clean it. This is simply excess ink being sloughed from the surface or the skin.
6. Once a day, in the shower, is usually enough cleaning for any new tattoo. Consult your artist if you plan to do any strenuous activity within the first ten day of having your tattoo. Lotion may be applied to the tattoo as it dries out; however if your skin is extremely sensitive, lotion may cause acne- like break outs. This can be taken care of by reducing the number of lotion applications perDay.
7. Wear loose, preferably cotton clothing over the fresh tattoo. The tattoo need not be rebandaged except in certain, rare instances. A bra strap, tight waistband, sweaty gym shoe or itchy cotton sweater can potentially create healing problems. Consult your tattoo artist for advice on what clothing to wear/avoid. If you choose to re-bandage your tattoo after washing be sure that only sterile bandages are used.
8. After a few days, the tattoo will begin to form flaky scabs that will fall o on their own. DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR TATTOO. Keep it moisturized and the scabs will slough eventually. Once again, they will be the
color of the tattoo. It normally takes 2-4 weeks for a tattoo to completely heal. If you have ANY questions about your healing, please don’t hesitate to reach out via e-mail at booking@hailmarytattoo.com. Please do not consult your friends about healing issues, as everyone's experience is unique. Our artists are more than happy to help with any concerns you might have.