Congratulations on your new tattoo! Here’s how you take care of it and what to expect in the next few weeks.

DermShield - With most tattoos I apply a clear barrier called DermShield. This is a clear bandage designed to let your tattoo breathe while keeping it clean and promoting healing. DermShield may be worn for 24 hours and then replaced and worn up to six days if it remains relatively free of fluid. You may start to notice fluid collecting under the bandage that makes your tattoo look distorted, don’t worry! This is the remaining blood, plasma, and ink pushing out of your skin. When you start to see fluid build up, please remove your DermShield in the direction of your hair growth either after a hot shower or while running it under warm water. DermShield is very sticky and can be uncomfortable to remove if not loosened by warm water before removal. If you notice redness around the barrier, don’t worry about this either! The DermShield is moving with your body and pulling your skin in different directions. If you start to feel uncomfortable please remove the DermShield. This is when the rest of the healing process begins.

What to do once the DermShield is removed

Your tattoo may be partially healed already depending on how long the DermShield was able to stay on! Here’s how to take care of it after removal.

• With clean hands, wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap. Please don’t use a bar soap or scented soap. Rinse your tattoo then air dry it or PAT GENTLY with a clean paper towel. Please do not wipe your tattoo.

• Apply a THIN LAYER of natural ointment to your tattoo. I suggest Palmer’s cocoa butter or tattoo balm of your choice, however whatever works for you (so long as it doesn’t have any artificial fragrances or dyes and isn’t Aquaphor or Neosporin) go for it!

• Please wash your tattoo once in the morning and once in the evening.

• The first few days after your tattoo you may experience pain, redness, swelling, and it may even be warm to the touch. Please don’t worry, this is normal and comparable to a bad sunburn.

• After washing it and applying ointment for a few days, you will experience peeling and itching. You may develop scabs. Please do not pick your scabs, this could damage the tattoo. Your tattoo will itch but don’t scratch! With a clean hand, slap your tattoo to alleviate the itch. You can switch to an unscented lotion in place of ointment after a few days (remember, very thin layer!)

• Continue to wash, dry, and moisturize your tattoo for the next few weeks. Some people heal faster or slower than others depending on your body but people usually heal by the three week mark.

What to avoid

• Please do not submerge your new tattoo in water. Please do not go swimming or take baths until fully healed. Showers are fine.

• Please avoid wearing tight clothing around the body part you’re tattooed during the healing process (for example, if your tattoo is on your forearm, try to wear short sleeves as much as you can)

• Please avoid direct sunlight

• Please avoid sleeping on your tattoo

• Please avoid direct contact with your pets around the tattoo

  If you have any questions about healing, please feel free to contact me at gothgirltattoos@gmail.com