Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

If I used Second Skin on you:

This type of bandage can stay on for up to 3 days. Once the bandage is removed, you will start regular aftercare for the next few weeks. Your bandage may not stay on for the full 3 days, and if that happens you will just start your regular aftercare a bit sooner.
You will see fluid buildup in your bandage. This is perfectly normal. As long as the fluid is contained within the bandage, please leave it on. If any fluid starts leaking out of the bandage, you will want to take it off early, and begin regular aftercare.
When you are ready to remove the bandage, it is best to do this in the shower. Let cool water run on the bandage during the removal process. Start from the bottom corner, and pull down. (This is similar to using a command strip, if you’ve ever used one) When you pull down, the adhesive starts to peel up from above. Keep pulling at it until the bandage is fully removed. This does typically take a few minutes, so please be patient while removing.
Once you have removed the bandage, wash the area with unscented soap.
Pat dry with a paper towel and follow up with a moisturizer. I recommend using something that is made for tattoo aftercare. I sell the Mad Rabbit soothing gel in my shop, but you are welcome to use what you like. If you have not purchased tattoo aftercare, you can use coconut oil or an unscented lotion like Cetaphil. Please avoid using any other products that are not listed above.
Once your bandage is removed, do not cover up your tattoo with anything else for the duration of the healing period. Your skin needs to breathe to heal properly.
Please wash and moisturize at least twice a day. You can wash/moisturize as much as you need, but make sure to always do both together. Do not wash without moisturizing and do not moisturize without washing- these things are a team.
No soaking in water for 4 weeks. This means no baths, no swimming, no hot-tubs etc.
Your tattoo will likely peel and feel itchy while healing. No matter what, DO NOT SCRATCH. Washing and moisturizing will sooth your skin when it is feeling itchy, but make sure to not scratch the area. If you get scabs, do not pick at those either.

If I used a gel bandage on you:

This bandage can stay on for up to 8 hours.

Soak the bandage under cool running water before you are ready to remove. Wetting the bandage first helps loosen the gel which may have hardened/dried.

Peel the gel patch off under cool running water and wash the area with unscented soap.
Pat dry with a paper towel and follow up with a moisturizer. I recommend using something that is made for tattoo aftercare. I sell the Mad Rabbit soothing gel in my shop, but you are welcome to use what you like. If you have not purchased tattoo aftercare, you can use coconut oil or an unscented lotion like Cetaphil. Please avoid using any other products that are not listed above.
Once your bandage is removed, do not cover up your tattoo with anything else for the duration of the healing period. Your skin needs to breathe to heal properly.
Please wash and moisturize at least twice a day. You can wash/moisturize as much as you need, but make sure to always do both together. Do not wash without moisturizing and do not moisturize without washing- these things are a team.
No soaking in water for 4 weeks. This means no baths, no swimming, no hot-tubs etc.
Your tattoo will likely peel and feel itchy while healing. No matter what, DO NOT SCRATCH. Washing and moisturizing will sooth your skin when it is feeling itchy, but make sure to not scratch the area. If you get scabs, do not pick at those either.

Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

If I used Second Skin on you:

This type of bandage can stay on for up to 3 days. Once the bandage is removed, you will start regular aftercare for the next few weeks. Your bandage may not stay on for the full 3 days, and if that happens you will just start your regular aftercare a bit sooner.

You will see fluid buildup in your bandage. This is perfectly normal. As long as the fluid is contained within the bandage, please leave it on. If any fluid starts leaking out of the bandage, you will want to take it off early, and begin regular aftercare.

Once you have removed the bandage, wash the area with unscented soap.

Once your bandage is removed, do not cover up your tattoo with anything else for the duration of the healing period. Your skin needs to breathe to heal properly.

Please wash and moisturize at least twice a day. You can wash/moisturize as much as you need, but make sure to always do both together. Do not wash without moisturizing and do not moisturize without washing- these things are a team.

No soaking in water for 4 weeks. This means no baths, no swimming, no hot-tubs etc.

Your tattoo will likely peel and feel itchy while healing. No matter what, DO NOT SCRATCH. Washing and moisturizing will sooth your skin when it is feeling itchy, but make sure to not scratch the area. If you get scabs, do not pick at those either.

If I used a gel bandage on you:

This bandage can stay on for up to 8 hours.

Soak the bandage under cool running water before you are ready to remove. Wetting the bandage first helps loosen the gel which may have hardened/dried.

Peel the gel patch off under cool running water and wash the area with unscented soap.

Once your bandage is removed, do not cover up your tattoo with anything else for the duration of the healing period. Your skin needs to breathe to heal properly.

Please wash and moisturize at least twice a day. You can wash/moisturize as much as you need, but make sure to always do both together. Do not wash without moisturizing and do not moisturize without washing- these things are a team.

No soaking in water for 4 weeks. This means no baths, no swimming, no hot-tubs etc.

Your tattoo will likely peel and feel itchy while healing. No matter what, DO NOT SCRATCH. Washing and moisturizing will sooth your skin when it is feeling itchy, but make sure to not scratch the area. If you get scabs, do not pick at those either.