- Leave your bandage on for 1-2 hours. You should wait to remove the bandage until you can properly clean it with mild soap and warm water. Use your fingers to gently wash the ointment and blood off of your tattoo. Rinse it well, and again, gently pat it dry. Allow it to air-dry for 5-10 minutes before applying ointment. You should apply Aquaphor two to three times throughout the day, massaging a very small amount into the skin to keep the tattoo slightly moist, but not smothered. Use just enough Aquaphor to make the tattoo slightly shiny, and blot off any excess.
- For the first day or two, your tattoo will require more cleaning, as it will still be losing a bit of fluid. This is normal. You want to make sure that the tattoo stays clean and the extra moisture doesn’t get trapped under the Aquaphor. This is why it is important to air dry your tattoo before applying aftercare. The healing tattoo should never stay submerged in water either. This means that short showers are fine, but any kind of baths or swimming is not. We recommend washing your tattoo a couple times throughout the day, using only mild soap, and rinsing and drying well. Frequency of cleaning depends on your lifestyle. Use your best judgment, but don’t overdo it.
- You should apply Aquaphor for as many days as it takes for your tattoo to peel. This will be anywhere from three days to 1 week, depending on your body, your general health, and the area of the skin that was tattooed. When peeling begins, the tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn. Just let this happen on its own and don’t pick at it. You will use Aquaphor during the entire healing process which should last approximately two weeks.
Consult with your artist if you have any further questions or concerns.
