Look at you, with that stunning new tattoo! I promise, the hardest part is behind you, but the next step to making sure your new art stays looking fresh is on you (and it’s super easy). 

o   If I used the fancy-pants Second Skin bandage:

With this dude, you can leave it on for 3-6 days (but if it’s annoying you can remove it sooner; just refer to the aftercare section with Aquaphor below), and it’s super low-maintenance (unlike me).  Keep in mind, your tattoo is gonna be seepy and weepy, so all that bodygoop will make a home under your bandage. IT WILL LOOK HONESTLY NASTY, but trust that nothing dreadful is occurring. To remove, it’s recommended to do so slowly and under running water. Once you get it gone, wash wash wash that baby twice a day with antibacterial soap and moisturize with an all-natural/unscented lotion. Repeat process every day for 10-14 days. See below section for more on that.

o   If I used the other guy:

The first week-ish (4 days) – First and foremost is making sure your tattoo is clean while healing, and for this I recommend using antibacterial soap and some warm water; give it a good bath once in the morning (or whenever you get up, I’m not a “morning person” either) and once at night. This might sting a little early on in the healing process, but after the first few days should settle right down. After each wash you’re going to want to moisturize - because honey, she thirsty - so grab that Aquaphor and apply a light coating. If your skin is looking super shiny, you’ve probably used too much, but you can just dab off any excess with a paper towel.

An additional part of keeping your new tattoo clean is making sure pets, dirt, public pools, gym equipment, your Aunt Joni or even your own hands don’t get all up in your tattoo’s business. As a cat mom, I know that pet part is tricky, they always want to rub on you! Just give Mittens and Spot some treats and they’ll forgive you in time. An extra measure of caution: Getting that good vitamin D is healthy, no arguments there, but make sure that you don’t have any sun damaged skin prior to getting a tattoo, and activate vampire-mode for 2 weeks after your tattoo appointment (no sun)! It may seem unbearable, but in the long run it’ll keep your tattoo looking fresh.

After that – You will start to notice that your tattoo is peeling and flaking, and I regret to inform you that this does not signal your metamorphosis into a human-reptilian hybrid, but is in fact a totally normal part of the healing process. It is imperative to keep the skin moisturized, and by this point you can switch to an unscented or all-natural option; I suggest Lubriderm or Aveeno (not a paid endorsement). The tattoo will most likely get a little itchy at times while healing, and that want to scratch paired with the urge to peel the flakies MUST BE RESISTED. Your artist worked hard stabbing all that gorgeous color into your dermis, so unless you desire a big ol’ touch-up, hands off until that peel is all done (you can luxuriate in touching your tattoo after a couple of weeks). 

That’s pretty much it, but if you do have any questions regarding your healing, hit me up through xoginkgotattoo@gmail.com, because your experience doesn’t have to end when you walk out the door; keep me in the loop!

And if you loved your experience as much as I love cats (which is to say, a lot), drop a review on Facebook or Google, I super appreciate it ~