Aftercare Info
Instructions
We’ve been in the tattoo business for a while now, and this aftercare protocol is what we find works the best!
We recommend our clients follow these instructions to the best of their ability, however if you choose not to follow them, Birds Eye View Tattoo and it’s artists are NOT responsible for any extra discomfort or tattoo damage that may occur during the healing process.
Your artist may have bandaged your tattoo with something called Dermshield. It has other names (Saniderm, Tegaderm, etc.) but they are all very similar — a clear, adhesive bandage.
If your artist wrapped you with Dermshield:
Leave the Dermshield bandage on for at least 5 days. Some peeling of the edges is expected but leave it alone as best as you can.
After 5 days, gently peel the Dermshield off your tattoo gently — preferably while in the shower or under running water. It is normal for there to be ink on the bandage!
Gently wash the tattoo with clear antibacterial soap.
Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free and dye-free lotion to the tattoo several times a day and / or whenever the tattoo feels itchy for another 7 days or longer.
Please note:
If you are not sure if your artist wrapped you with Dermshield, then they probably did not!
If your artist did not wrap you in Dermshield:
Remove bandages after an hour or so.
Gently wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap and warm water at least 6 times a day. Soap should be fragrance free and without glitter or dyes.
Gently pat (do not rub) your tattoo dry with clean paper toweling, every time.
Apply a thin layer of "Aquaphor Healing Ointment" after each wash for a week.
After the first week, apply a fragrance-free and dye-free lotion to the tattoo several times a day and / or whenever the tattoo feels itchy for another 7 days at least but you can go longer.
After the Aftercare
You might be past the first week or so of the healing process, but you’re not out of the woods yet! Your tattoo may appear to be “healed” after a week, but we promise you — IT IS NOT HEALED, and it is still vulnerable!
✦ Wear clean, soft, and loose-fitting clothing over your tattoo for the first 2 weeks (minimum) — avoid any clothing that is abrasive, tight, or irritating. For foot tattoos, go barefoot as much as possible and avoid wearing shoes as much as you can. The first 5 days are critical for healing!
✦ After a few days, your tattoo may begin to peel and itch. Do not pick, scratch, peel, or rub your tattoo EVER! This can damage your tattoo. If it itches, lotion your tattoo again or slap the tattoo gently.
✦ Do NOT pick scabs or peel any flakes! We know there are a lot of scab pickers out there but this can pull pigment from your skin and damage your tattoo.
✦ You can (and should) shower but do not wash or scrub your tattoo with body wash or use a loofah / washcloth. Just let the soap and water run over your tattoo. Avoid prolonged exposure to extremely hot water if possible.
✦ Do not soak / submerge your tattoo for at least 3 weeks. No swimming (pools, lakes — ANY body of water is a no) and no baths or hot tubs!
✦ Do not expose your fresh tattoo to the sun or UV light for at least 4 weeks. After that, use a high SPF rated sunscreen to protect the pigments and extend the quality life of the tattoo.
✦ Avoid direct contact with anyone or anything potentially septic and / or bacterial; including animals, rest rooms, bodily fluids, gym equipment, lakes, rivers, etc. If your tattoo is exposed to any of these, wash with antibacterial soap immediately! You do not want your new tattoo to get infected.
✦ Beware of conflicting advice from friends, family, and the internet!
✦ Although rare, if you do not properly take care of your tattoo, it may become infected. Infections generally include excessive pain, excessive heat from the tattoo, spreading bright-red inflamed tissue around the outside of the tattoo that may also have thin red outward radiating lines, it may ooze yellow pus, or bleed abnormally.
If you think your tattoo is infected, seek medical attention immediately — there is nothing we will be able to do to help!