Aftercare Instructions

After years in the tattoo business, we feel this aftercare protocol is what works best! We highly recommend following these instructions to the best of your ability.

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 likely bandaged your new tattoo with a CLEAR, ADHESIVE BANDAGE called Derm-Shield. It has other brand names (Saniderm, Tegaderm, etc.) but they are all very similar!

Please follow the instructions that best apply to how you were bandaged →

    1. Leave the Derm-Shield bandage on for around 5 - 7 days. Some peeling of the edges is expected but leave it alone as best as you can.

    2. After5 - 7 days, (with clean hands) peel the bandage off your tattoo gently — preferably while in the shower or under running water. It is normal for there to be ink on the bandage!

    3. Carefully wash the tattoo with clear antibacterial soap. It is normal for some adhesive residue to be left on your skin! Do not scrub your fresh tattoo! Gently try to wash the residue off — leave anything that won’t come off easily. It will come off on its own.

    4. Gently PAT your tattoo dry with clean paper towel, every time. Do not rub or use fabric with a rough surface!

    5. Wash your tattoo and apply a thin layer of fragrance-free and dye-free lotion to the tattoo 4+ times a day and / or whenever the tattoo feels itchy for at least 7 days. Fragrances are an infection risk!

    6. Do not rebandage your tattoo!

    7. See the next section for things to avoid and things to keep in mind with your healing tattoo!


      AGAIN:
      If you are not sure if you were wrapped with this bandage, then you probably were not!

  • These instructions are for clients who DID NOT get the “Derm-Shield” bandage:

    1. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your fresh tattoo! Remove bandages after an hour or so. This is likely just clear plastic wrap! NOT ADHESIVE. Do not sleep in this bandage and do not re-bandage your tattoo!

    2. Gently wash your tattoo with an unscented, antibacterial, soap (Fragrances are an infection risk! Do not use bar soap) and warm water. Do not use a washcloth, loofah, or anything abrasive. Only use your hands!

    3. Gently PAT your tattoo dry with clean paper towel, every time. Do not rub or use fabric with a rough surface!

    4. Apply a VERY THIN layer of "Aquaphor Healing Ointment" after each wash. Gently pat off any excess ointment with a new paper towel. Do not use Vaseline / petroleum! Always use clean hands and do not touch your fingers back into the ointment container after touching your tattoo.

    5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 for the next five - seven days at least 3 to 4 times a day.

    6. 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 if needed!

    7. See the next section for things to avoid and things to keep in mind with your healing tattoo!

After the Aftercare

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 week (minimum) — avoid any clothing that is abrasive, tight, or irritating. For foot tattoos, go barefoot and avoid wearing shoes as much as you can. The first 5 days are critical for healing!

✦ Avoid perfume, cologne, body spray, or fragrance of any kind for 1 week. Fragrance (and the ingredient “fragrance”) is a risk for inflammation, poor healing, and infection.

✦ While healing, 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! 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. Avoid prolonged exposure to very hot water if possible!

✦ Do not soak / submerge your tattoo for at least 2 weeks; longer if you have any visible scabs. No swimming (pools, lakes — ANY body of water is a no), no baths or hot tubs!

✦ Do not expose your fresh tattoo to the sun or UV light for at least 10 days. YOU CANNOT APPLY SUN-BLOCK TO A FRESH TATTOO! After 2 weeks, using a high SPF will help protect the pigments and extend the quality life of the tattoo.

✦ Avoid direct contact with anyone or anything potentially septic and / or bacterial for at least 2 weeks; 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! This is what Bird’s Eye View Tattoo recommends for Bird’s Eye View Tattoo clients.

✦ 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 professional medical attention immediately — there is nothing we will be able to do to help!