Standard Tattoo Aftercare

Your complete healing guide — everything you need on one page.

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When you get home

• Wash hands — always wash thoroughly before touching your tattoo
• Swelling & redness — normal the first week — elevate, drink plenty of water, ice under the tattoo (not on it)
• Anti-inflammatory — over-the-counter is fine if you have no allergies or conflicts with current medications

First night

• Bedding — sleep in clean bedding you don’t mind staining (ink and blood wash out); wear light, comfy clothing
• No wraps — do NOT wrap or bandage with cloth — fibers stick and slow healing
• Stuck fabric — remove gently in the shower with warm water

First 3–4 days

• Wash — antibacterial liquid soap with clean soapy hands — no washcloths or anything abrasive
• Dry — pat dry gently with a clean cloth or paper towel
• Ointment — apply a VERY SMALL amount of Aquaphor or artist-recommended ointment — only when skin feels tight
• Products — ointment must be free of fruit extracts and oils; never double-dip into the container

After day 4

• Peeling — totally normal — do NOT pick or pull (skin is attached to pigment)
• Thick buildup — loosen with a warm, damp paper towel
• Open or oozing skin — let it dry out; witch hazel can help
• Moisturize — switch to a mild, white, unscented lotion (or continue Aquaphor)

Hand tattoos

• Wash often — mild antibacterial soap, pat dry, reapply a thin ointment layer each time
• Moisture — keep lightly moisturized — never heavy or greasy
• Gloves — wear clean gloves for dishes, cleaning, or dirty work; keep harsh chemicals off
• Swelling — normal — elevate your hand when you can, especially the first few days
• Peeling — hands peel more than other spots — don’t pick; let skin come off on its own
• Touch-ups — hand tattoos can fade faster; once healed, just reach out if yours needs one

Things to avoid

• Touching — no unnecessary contact while healing — and don’t let anyone else touch it either
• Soaking — no swimming or full immersion for 2–3 weeks
• Sun — no direct sunlight for 3 weeks; afterward always use zinc-based sunscreen
• Abrasion — avoid abrasive materials, jewelry, or shoes rubbing the tattoo
• Gym — be mindful of sweaty surfaces; wait until mostly healed for intense workouts

Tattoo Aftercare with DermShield®

For tattoos wrapped in the clear film — your complete healing guide on one page.

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DermShield® basics

• What it is — a transparent, waterproof, medical-grade adhesive film sealing and protecting your fresh tattoo
• Benefits — faster healing, less scabbing, no daily washing, protection from bacteria and friction
• Wear time — typically 3–7 days — follow your artist’s guidance for your piece
• Manufacturer’s instructions — Derm Shield Instructions for Use

When you get home

• Leave it alone — don’t touch, peel, or adjust the film unless your artist says so
• Swelling & redness — normal the first 24 hours — elevate, drink plenty of water
• Ice — apply under the tattoo (not on the film) if swollen
• Anti-inflammatory — over-the-counter is fine if you have no allergies or conflicts with current medications

During film wear (days 1–7)

• Showering — safe with the film on — water won’t penetrate; avoid direct high-pressure spray
• Drying — pat edges dry gently; let the film air dry
• Movement — avoid extreme stretching or friction on the area
• Edges lifting — press down gently to reseal — if it keeps lifting, contact us
• No ointment — do NOT put lotions, ointments, or creams under the film
• Fluid under the film — blood/plasma collecting in the first 24 hours is normal — do NOT drain it or peel the film because of it

After removal

• Removal — peel slowly in a warm shower at a shallow angle
• Wash — antibacterial liquid soap with clean soapy hands — no washcloths; pat dry
• Ointment — a VERY SMALL amount of Aquaphor for 1–2 days — no fruit extracts or oils; never double-dip
• Day 3+ — switch to mild, white, unscented lotion — only when skin feels tight
• Timeline — peeling ~days 11–14 (don’t pick; warm damp towel for buildup) → unscented lotion through day 30 → zinc-based sunscreen once healed

Things to avoid

• Touching the film — leave it alone the entire wear period — and don’t let anyone else touch it either
• Soaking — no swimming, soaking, pools, or hot tubs for 4 weeks
• Sun — no direct sunlight for 4 weeks; afterward use zinc-based sunscreen
• Abrasion — avoid abrasive materials, jewelry, or shoes rubbing the tattoo
• Gym — be mindful of sweaty surfaces; wait until mostly healed for intense workouts
• Adhesive sensitivity — DermShield contains adhesives — if you react to adhesives, or develop itching, redness, or irritation under the film, remove it and contact us right away