aFTERCARE
First days with recovery derm
Recovery derm is a flexible, breathable, waterproof tattoo bandage that is designed for aftercare purposes.
Your bandage should stay on for 3 days as long as there is no leaking.
It is completely normal for blood and fluids (plasma, excess ink) to collect under the bandage.
If your tattoo begins to leak out of the bandage or a part of your tattoo is exposed, please remove the bandage.
When removing the bandage, I suggest doing so in the shower or under warm running water. Don’t rip it off like a band-aid, but rather wash your hands and peel it off in a slow and steady motion.
It is normal for some redness to occur, and it should disappear within a few hours.
Dispose of the bandage and then wash your hands again. Use an antibacterial soap and gently wash your tattoo in a circular motion until all blood, ink, and other fluids have come off.
Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel.
*If any unusual redness, swelling, or blistering occurs around the bandage, you may be experiencing a reaction to the adhesive. Remove the bandage immediately and proceed with the rest of the aftercare instructions as normal.*
Things to avoid
Thick petroleum products - ex. A+D ointment, Aquaphor, Bag Balm
Antibiotic ointments - ex. Neosporin, triple antibiotic
Picking, scratching, peeling, rubbing or otherwise irritating your tattoo.
Strenuous activity or heavy sweating in the first few days, especially with derm on
Baths, swimming, hot tubs, saunas or soaking the tattoo for 2 weeks - showers are OK.
Over washing or over-applying moisturizer.
Exposure to the sun for 3-4 weeks. After that, use sunblock to help prevent premature fading.
Wearing abrasive clothing, jewelry, or shoes that will rub up against the tattoo.
After removing derm
Keep the tattooed area clean and dry.
Gently clean with unscented soap (Dial Gold, Hibiclens)in the morning, before bed and as needed throughout the day.
Once the first week has passed, switch to once a day in the shower to avoid drying skin excessively.
Only use clean hands to wash your tattoo. No washcloths, bath towels, bath sponges or loofahs on a fresh tattoo.
At this point you may begin to use the approved tattoo balm or unscented lotion (Lubriderm, Gold Bond, Eucerin etc.) depending on what is recommended.
Apply a very thin layer and rub it in.
For the entirety of the healing period, moisturize roughly 3 times per day, especially after washing.
Please reach out for advice on what clothing to wear if any questions arise.
After a few days, the tattoo will begin to form flaky bits of skin that will fall off on their own. Do not pick or scratch at this skin.
Over time the dry skin will slough off naturally. Once again, they will be the color of the tattoo.
The official full healing period for a tattoo is 4 weeks.
If you do not take care of your tattoo, it may become infected or damaged. Signs of infections are abnormal swelling and redness around the outside of the tattoo, increased pain or tenderness, fever, or thin red lines extending from the wound. It may ooze, pus, or bleed abnormally. If you think your tattoo is infected, seek medical attention immediately