Tegaderm is a breathable, waterproof, and protective bandage that I put on your tattoo once it is finished. You can leave this on for up to 5 days. Normally tattoo healing time can take up to two weeks but using Tegaderm helps reduce the length of healing time. 

Do not pick or peel at the bandage. Ideally you will want to leave it alone until it is time to remove it. Although rare, If your bandage starts to peel off on its own and expose your tattoo please email me.

It is normal to see some fluid buildup under this bandage, this is a mixture of blood, ink and plasma. Your body weeps plasma when it is healing a wound and it is extremely important to the healing process.

By day 3 the fluid should start to dry under the bandage, this is normal. It is also normal for your tattoo to be a little obscured by the fluid buildup.

Try to avoid excess sweating after getting tattooed, take a break from going to the gym or working out for 3 days. Sweat can loosen the bandage and you really want it to stay on for the full time to ensure the best healing. Gyms are also typically not the cleanest places so you don’t want to expose a fresh tattoo to that environment.

The bandage is waterproof, so shower as normal but avoid scrubbing it directly. Even though it is waterproof DO NOT go swimming (hot tub, lake, ocean, pool, etc.) until about 2-3 weeks after getting a tattoo. This is due to the amount of bacteria living in those places which could cause an infection in your fresh tattoo.

On the 5th day, you may remove the bandage. It is easier to remove in the shower after you let warm water run over it to loosen the adhesive. Peel slowly and gently in a downward motion and don't rip it like a bandaid. Discard bandage.

Once your bandage is removed, wash with warm water and antibacterial soap (ex. Dial). Rinse and lightly pat dry with a paper towel. After about 10-15 minutes, you may apply a LIGHT coat of unscented lotion like Lubriderm, or Aveeno.

Over the next week cleanse, following the steps right above and apply a light coat of lotion to moisturize any dry skin.

If you do not want tegaderm or have an allergic reaction to bandage adhesive I will not cover your tattoo with tegaderm. Instead I will cover your tattoo with a sterile, non-adherent pad. This is only meant to stay on for a few hours. It's best to wait until you are home to remove it.

Within a few hours after getting your tattoo you will want to wash it and remove the protective cover. Please do this in a clean environment using the correct supplies.

To remove the cover: Wash your hands. Use warm water and an antibacterial soap (Dial), and gently cleanse your tattoo removing any blood and plasma. Rinse gently with warm water.

Lightly pat your tattoo dry with a paper towel. Don’t use regular towels, sponges, or loofahs. Let air dry. After about 10-15 minutes, you may apply a LIGHT coat of Aquaphor. After 2 days, switch to unscented lotion (ex: Lubriderm, Aveeno) instead of aquaphor.

Repeat this process 2 times a day for 5 days. After this, your tattoo should begin to flake or look dry so continue using an unscented lotion. You do not need to wash your tattoo as much at this point, switch to once a day.

Do not soak your tattoo, showering is fine but refrain from prolonged exposure to water.

Your tattoo should stop flaking within 7-10 days. The fresh skin should look a bit shiny. This is normal and will go back to normal once your tattoo is completely settled. You may go back to your normal routine at this point. 

It is important to maintain clean bedding when you have a fresh tattoo. 

It is normal for tattoos to sometimes “weep” during the first few days. This is simply excess ink, blood, and plasma coming to the surface which creates a moist coating on the skin. With clean hands, use a clean paper towel to dab the moisture off, do not rub. Seeing excess ink or a yellow color (which is plasma/lymphatic fluid) on the paper towel is also normal, so do not panic.