HEALING GUIDE

TATTOO
AFTERCARE.

Your tattoo is a healing wound before it's finished art. Follow the version below that matches how your session was wrapped — and call or text (657) 457-0027 if anything seems off.

With second skin (Saniderm)

Days 1–5 · leave it on

1. Leave the film on for 3–5 days. It's waterproof — showering is fine, but don't soak it (no baths, pools, ocean, or hot tubs).
2. It's normal for ink, blood, and plasma to pool under the film in the first 24–48 hours. That's expected, not a problem.
3. If the film starts peeling at the edges or fluid is leaking out, it's fine to remove it early — follow the removal steps below and switch to the no-second-skin routine.

Removing the film

1. Remove it in a warm shower — running water loosens the adhesive.
2. Peel slowly, in the direction of hair growth, pulling the film back over itself (not straight up).
3. Wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and unscented antibacterial soap using clean hands only.
4. Pat dry with a clean paper towel and let it air out for 10–15 minutes.

After removal

• Wash the tattoo 2–3 times a day and apply a thin layer of unscented moisturizer or tattoo-specific lotion.
• Keep applying lotion until the skin fully stops flaking, usually 2–3 weeks.

Without second skin

Day 1

1. Keep the initial wrap on for the length of time given at your session (typically 2–4 hours).
2. Remove the wrap with clean hands and wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and unscented antibacterial soap.
3. Pat dry with a clean paper towel — never a bath towel — and leave it uncovered. Do not re-wrap.

Days 2–14

• Wash the tattoo 2–3 times a day with unscented antibacterial soap.
• After each wash, apply a thin layer of unscented moisturizer or tattoo-specific aftercare lotion. Thin is key — the tattoo needs to breathe.
• Expect light scabbing, peeling, and itching around days 3–7. Let it happen naturally.

The rules — either way

• Do not pick, scratch, or peel scabs or flaking skin. You'll pull ink out and risk scarring.
• No swimming, baths, hot tubs, or saunas for at least 2–3 weeks. Showers only.
• Keep the tattoo out of direct sun while healing. Once healed, use SPF 30+ on it — always. Sun is the #1 reason tattoos fade.
• Wear loose, clean clothing over the area. Avoid friction.
• Change your sheets and pillowcases at the start of healing, and keep pets off the fresh tattoo.
• Stay hydrated and skip heavy workouts for the first several days — sweat and stretching slow healing.

When to reach out

Mild redness, warmth, and tenderness are normal for the first few days. Contact the studio — or a doctor — if you notice spreading redness, hot swollen skin, thick discharge, fever, or red streaks radiating from the tattoo.