Following the tattoo procedure, your tattoo will be cleaned and covered with Tegaderm, which is a clear, waterproof, breathable, hypoallergenic, medical-grade wrap. It is recommended that you wear the bandage for 5 days. During the healing process, you can expect the following:

– When the wrap is first applied, you will be able to see your tattoo clearly for a couple of hours, maybe even for the rest of the day. The wrap is designed to keep all of the fluid secreted from the tattoo inside the bandage so the tattoo can stay moisturized in your body’s own natural “juices” and stay clean and protected from the elements. DO NOT BE ALARMED when you wake up the next day and the wrap is full of a dark brownish liquid. It’s gross, I know, but also completely normal and a good thing!

– Remove the bandage immediately if any portion of the tattoo becomes exposed. Usually, Tegaderm sticks to the skin very well, but sometimes depending on placement or if your skin is more oily, the bandage may come off in places. DO NOT TRY AND TAPE THE BANDAGE BACK DOWN IF THE TATTOO IS EXPOSED OR CLOSE TO BEING EXPOSED. Once any bit of the tattoo is exposed, it is very important to remove the bandage, clean the area thoroughly, and apply lotion. You do not want any bacteria under your bandage from outside exposure.

– It is important to keep the bandage on for the full 5 days. Otherwise, it is normal for the Tegaderm to get a bit stinky by day 4 or 5. The juicy juices are a mixture of excess ink, plasma, white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. These cells die and lose viability, resulting in…stink. To ensure optimal healing, I highly recommend ordering Tegaderm before your session on Amazon and changing the initial bandage I wrap you with 24 hours after it’s applied. You can wear the new bandage for 5 days. However, if you choose to wear the initial bandage for 5 days, that is also acceptable. Changing the bandage after 24 hours has several benefits, including minimizing the size of the ink sac, making the bandage more comfortable to wear, and reducing the likelihood of it getting stinky. Furthermore, if you have Tegaderm on hand, you can add more if a corner comes up or if the juice begins to leak out the bottom of the bandage. If you decide to rewrap, please inform me during your session, and I will provide instructions on how to apply the bandage safely and hygienically.

DO NOT:

• Leave Tegaderm on longer than recommended.

• Apply salves or lotions in thick layers. The tattoo needs to breathe to heal.

• Work out for three days.

• Work out with excessive sweat while the Tegaderm is on.

• Pick, scratch, soak, swim, or expose the affected area to direct sunlight for a period of two weeks. It is common to experience itching during the process of healing as the skin rebuilds its cells.

Removing Tegaderm:

To safely remove Tegaderm, it is recommended to take a shower and use a loofah and antimicrobial soap such as Dial, Soft-soap, Meyers, or Dr. Bronners. Gently wash over the bandage until a corner starts to come up, then slowly work it off from there by pulling down close to the skin. Avoid pulling up and away from the skin as it can cause more pain. It is important to take your time as Tegaderm sticks well. Do not rip it off like a bandaid as it may remove scabs and delay the healing process by weeks. After removing the Tegaderm, apply an unscented or naturally scented, alcohol-free lotion enriched with Vitamin E oil to your tattoo 2-3 times a day for optimal results. Lubriderm, Cetaphil, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter, and St. Ives are all excellent choices.

Although this healing method may seem intimidating at first, it is a relatively new and effective way to heal tattoos. It differs from the traditional method of using glade wrap and A&D ointment, which many of us are familiar with. However, after trying Tegaderm once, you may never want to heal a tattoo any other way. If you have any questions, I am always here to help.

For those who have adhesive allergies, it is important to consult with me so that I can provide you with alternative healing methods if needed. Depending on your skin type, medical history, and personal preferences, there may be different healing methods that are more suitable for you.

IMPORTANT: YOUR TATTOO IS PERMANENT. ALWAYS contact me if you have any questions or concerns. If you are having an allergic reaction, feeling ill, or think your tattoo is infected, seek medical attention immediately. Signs of an allergic reaction or infection include oozing that turns yellow/green, redness/inflammation that continues longer than one week, and portions of the tattoo that have completely fallen out with skin tissue in large areas. ALWAYS USE SUNBLOCK 60+ FOREVER AND APPLY SUNBLOCK OFTEN WHEN OUTDOORS!