Wolf & Raven Tattoo Shop: Aftercare instructions
General Aftercare Instructions
- Remove the bandage between 1 and 3 hours after your tattoo session. Gently wash your tattoo with a mild antibacterial soap and warm water. dial good pump soap highly recommended
- Cloth towels can harbor bacteria, which can be harmful to a fresh tattoo. Be sure to always use a new paper towel for washing/blotting your new artwork. It is preferable to let tattoo air dry before applying fresh ointment/ cocoa butter or lotion.
- We suggest that you use products such as Aquaphor ointment or Palmers Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E, for the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours. After washing, let the tattoo air dry completely until it feels tight, then apply a minimal amount of ointment/cocoa butter, in a thin layer, twice daily. For the first couple of days the tattoo may weep after applying the ointment/cocoa butter. This is a natural part of the healing process; simply blot the excess moisture with a clean paper towel. KEEP YOUR TATTOO CLEAN!
- Do not soak your fresh tattoo work! Keep your showers to a maximum of ten minutes. Absolutely NO SWIMMING, SAUNA, OR HOT TUBS.
- After a couple of days, the tattoo is less irritated, so it is safe to switch from ointment/cocoa butter to lotion, one that is dye and fragrance free. Lotion can be applied more frequently than the ointment/cocoa butter. If the tattoo area feels tight or itchy, apply some lotion to the dry area. Also, continue to wash the tattoo regularly.
- Your tattoo will begin a light peeling process between 3-7 days after your session. Continue to apply lotion to dry skin. Do not pick!
- A healthy vitamin intake can greatly decrease your healing time. We suggest a daily multivitamin coupled with 100mg of Vitamin C for the duration of your healing time. You can also use Witch Hazel, a natural therapeutic astringent, no more than twice a day to keep irritations and itching to a minimum.
- Remember; concerns, contact your artist. The better you care for your tattoo, the faster it will heal! If you have any questions or concerns, contact your artist!
Derm Shield Aftercare
- Leave bandage on for 3-6 days or as recommended by your artist.
- It is water resistant but try to keep it out of direct contact with shower water.
- Keep showers to 10-15 minutes.
- Please use clean hands when handling Derm Shield for cleaning or removal.
- If the tattoo feels dry, crusty, or starts to pinch your skin under the bandage, please remove it gently.
- Removal of bandage is best done using warm water and antibacterial soap in the shower.
- Seeing ink come off on the bandage is normal.
- If the tattoo becomes exposed but the bandage does not completely peel off, keep the exposed area clean. Make sure to wash the exposed area with antibacterial soap and wipe with witch hazel and a clean paper towel. Wipe away from Derm Shield so as to not wipe into bandage and roll it off further. Let exposed area air dry for 2-3 hours after cleaning. Use unscented lotion on exposed tattoo. Ointment is not recommended at this point as the tattoo has been sitting in its own moisture and will become over moisturized with ointment.
- If you remove bandage early, within the first 1-3 days, wash the entire tattoo with antibacterial soap and water until it feels clean and the slipperiness is no longer there (If present). Wipe tattoo with witch hazel and a clean paper towel. Let air dry for 2-3 hours. Apply unscented lotion. Repeat antibacterial soap, witch hazel, lotion routine 2-3 times a day.
- If bandage leaks but does not expose tattoo, wipe away the excess drainage. Make sure it wipe in the direction away from the tattoo. If your artist has given you an extra piece of Derm shield, clean area around the leak and use the patch on the area where it is leaking.
- If area under bandage feels red or hot past the first day, you may be experiencing an allergic reaction. Please contact your artist.
- Do not go into baths, pools, saunas, or bodies of water with your bandage.
- Keep away from activities that cause heavy sweating, especially during first week with bandage on, as the sweat will accumulate under the bandage. Wait two weeks for tattoo to finish healing before going swimming, doing heavy exercise, hot yoga, etc.
- Keep tattoos away from sunlight. Once healed please use sunscreen or sunblock on your tattoo.
- If you feel you have to change your bandage please contact your artist.
- If you have gotten any dirty water, pet fur/dander, or any other debris under your bandage or on your tattoo at any point please keep it clean and pay close attention that it does not become swollen, hot, or painful. If it does, please see your doctor for antibiotics as you likely have an infection.
- If your experience irritation from your skin rubbing against the outer border of the Derm Shield, feel free to roll the Derm Shield slightly away from the irritated area. There should be enough Derm Shield around tattoo that it does not become exposed when doing so.
- Contact your artist with any questions.
- Enjoy your tattoo!
