1. Bandage Types

I use two different types of bandages depending on the tattoo. Please check the instructions that match the one you received.

If you received Second Skin (Derm Defender)

This is a thin, transparent film that protects your tattoo during the first days.

How long to keep it on:

• Keep the second skin on for up to 4 days, unless I gave you specific instructions.

• In some cases, we may remove it the next day and apply a new layer — I’ll let you know if that’s needed.

Removing the second skin:

• Peel it off gently in the shower or under lukewarm water.

• Pat the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel.

Moisturizing after removal:

• Start moisturizing immediately after the second skin is off.

• Apply a very thin layer of the aftercare cream I provide or a fragrance-free lotion.

If you received a Dry Absorbent Pad (Dermalize)

For larger projects, I use a dry pad that absorbs the plasma and ink that naturally come out during the first hours.

How long to keep it on:

• Keep the pad on for the first night only.

The next morning:

• Gently remove the pad.

• Clean the tattoo following the general cleaning instructions below.

• Let the tattoo breathe and dry naturally for the first 1–2 days before you start moisturizing.

2. How to Clean Your Tattoo

(This applies to everyone, no matter which bandage you received.)

Always wash your hands first.

Clean hands are essential to avoid irritation or infection.

During the first week:

• Clean your tattoo twice a day (morning and night).

• Use a mild, fragrance-free soap — liquid or bar is fine.

• If using bar soap, rub it in your hands first to create bubbles, then gently wash the tattoo.

• Rinse with cold or lukewarm water (never hot).

After the first week:

• You can reduce washing to once a day, or simply clean it when needed (after sweating, working out, etc.).

• Continue to be gentle and avoid scrubbing.

Drying:

• Pat dry with a clean paper towel.

• Avoid cloth towels to prevent irritation and bacteria transfer.

3. Moisturizing

• Use the aftercare cream I provided, or a mild fragrance-free lotion.

• Apply a very thin layer — less is more during healing.

• Start moisturizing:

• Immediately after removing second skin.

• From day 2–3 if you had a dry absorbent pad.

Natural option: pure shea butter (unscented).

It’s nourishing, gentle, and great for sensitive or healing skin.

Avoid: lotions or creams with fragrance, alcohol, essential oils, acids, or strong active ingredients.

4. Extra Tips for a Healthy Healing Process

• Use fresh bedsheets, towels, and clothing during the first days.

• Avoid sleeping directly on your tattoo if possible.

• Avoid touching your tattoo unless you’re cleaning it.

• Prioritize loose, clean, breathable clothing.

Healing skin is delicate, and the way you care for your tattoo in the first weeks will directly affect how it looks long-term. Please avoid the following:

• Avoid over-moisturizing

Moisturizing is important — but too much cream can clog the pores, trap heat, and cause irritation, bumps, or allergic reactions.

Use only a very thin layer, just enough to keep the tattoo lightly hydrated, not shiny or wet.

Signs you are over-moisturizing:

• The tattoo feels sticky or sweaty under the cream

• Little bumps or irritation appear

• The skin looks overly shiny

• The cream sits on top instead of absorbing

If this happens, stop moisturizing for 12–24 hours and let the tattoo breathe.

• Avoid thick or heavy creams

Avoid products your skin cannot absorb easily, such as:

• Thick balms

• Petroleum-heavy creams

• Body butters with added fragrances

• Oily or greasy products

These can suffocate the skin, delay healing, and cause lighter or patchy areas.

• Avoid lotions with perfume, acids, or alcohol

Do not use lotions or creams that contain:

• Perfume or added fragrance

• Alcohol

• Exfoliating acids (AHA, BHA, retinol)

• Essential oils or strong botanical extracts

• Active ingredients meant for face treatments

These can irritate healing skin and damage the tattoo.

• Same rules for soaps

Use only gentle, fragrance-free soaps.

Avoid anything with:

• Perfume

• Dyes

• Exfoliating beads

• Antibacterial ingredients

• Strong botanical oils

Bar or liquid soap is fine — just make sure it’s mild and clean, and lather it in your hands before touching the tattoo.

• Do not scratch or pick your tattoo

As it heals, your tattoo may itch or form light scabs or flakes.

Do not scratch, peel, or pick at it — this can remove ink, cause scars, and lead to infection. Let everything fall off naturally.

• Avoid direct sunlight

For the first two weeks, keep your tattoo out of the sun as much as possible.

If you need to be outside, cover the tattoo with loose, clean clothing.

After scabbing is complete (usually after 2–3 weeks):

• Use high SPF sunscreen whenever your tattoo is exposed.

• Avoid tanning beds for at least one month — UV damage can fade fresh tattoos quickly.

• No soaking for at least 2 weeks

Avoid soaking your tattoo for the first two weeks, or until there are no irritated areas, scabs, or open wounds.

This means no:

• Baths

• Pools

• Hot tubs

• Lakes or rivers

• Ocean swimming

• Long showers where the tattoo stays under running water

You can shower normally — just avoid letting high-pressure water hit the tattoo directly, and keep the area from being submerged.

• Avoid heavy sweating on the area

For the first week, try to avoid activities that cause intense sweating in the tattooed area (like gym, running, hot yoga, HIIT, or sauna).

If you sweat, gently wash the tattoo afterward following the cleaning instructions.

• Don’t let your tattoo stick to clothes or sheets

Fresh tattoos can ooze a little during the first night.

If your tattoo sticks to fabric, do not pull or rip it off.

Soak the area with lukewarm water until the fabric releases gently.

• Avoid contact with pets, dirt, and unclean surfaces

Fresh tattoos are essentially open wounds, so keeping them clean is essential.

Avoid direct contact with:

• Pets (fur, saliva, paws, cuddling on the tattoo)

• Dirty or shared surfaces (gym equipment, public seats, bedding that isn’t clean, sofas where pets rest)

• Anything that may carry bacteria

This helps prevent irritation and infection while your skin is still vulnerable.

• Avoid friction or pressure on the tattooed area

Continuous rubbing can cause skin burns, irritation, and lighter healed spots.

Try to avoid:

• Tight clothing (bras, underwear, waistbands, leggings) on the tattoo

• Bags, purses, or backpack straps rubbing the area

• Tight socks on ankle/lower leg tattoos

• Sleeping positions that put pressure on the tattoo

Choose loose, breathable, soft clothing and avoid anything that repeatedly touches or presses against your fresh tattoo.

Every body heals differently, but most tattoos follow a similar pattern.

Here’s what you can expect in the days and weeks after your session, so you know what’s normal and when something needs extra attention.

Day 1: Plasma + oozing

It’s normal for ink and plasma to come to the surface during the first hours or the first day.

If you are wearing Second Skin (Derm Defender), it will hold the plasma under the film — this is expected and helps the tattoo heal faster.

With a dry absorbent pad, the pad will collect the fluids during the first night.

Mild swelling, redness, and tenderness around the area are completely normal.

Days 2–7: Light scabbing + peeling

Within a few days, your tattoo will begin to form a thin, soft scab and may peel like a gentle sunburn.

This is part of the healing process.

You may notice:

• Light flaking

• Itchiness

• Dry or tight skin

• Slight patchiness

Do not scratch or pick — let every flake fall off naturally.

Week 2: “Dull phase” (very normal)

Many people worry during this stage, but it is completely expected.

Your tattoo may look:

• A little dull

• Slightly cloudy or “milky”

• Not as crisp as the first day

This is because a thin layer of healing skin is covering the tattoo. As your skin regenerates, the clarity returns.

Weeks 3–4: Settling in

Your tattoo continues to heal below the surface.

Redness fades, the skin smooths out, and the lines begin to sharpen again.

By the end of the fourth week, most tattoos are fully healed — some large pieces may take slightly longer.

Long-term: Keep it beautiful

To keep your tattoo vibrant for years:

• Avoid direct sun exposure, especially during the first month

• Always use high SPF when your tattoo is in the sun

• Keep the skin moisturized

• Avoid tanning beds

A well-cared-for tattoo heals better, ages better, and stays beautiful much longer.

Most tattoos heal smoothly, but it’s important to pay attention to your body.

Please contact me if you notice anything that feels unusual or if you’re unsure about something. I’m here to support you through your healing process.

You should reach out if you experience:

• Excessive redness that keeps spreading

A little redness is normal for the first days, but if it worsens instead of calming down, let me know.

• Heat, intense swelling, or throbbing after the first days

Warmth during the first 24–48 hours is normal — persistent heat or painful swelling is not.

• Yellow or green discharge, or an unusual odor

Clear plasma is normal. Colored discharge can indicate an infection and should be checked.

• Bright red streaks around the tattoo

This is rare, but if you see it, contact me immediately.

• A rash, bumps, or irritation that doesn’t improve

Sometimes this is caused by over-moisturizing, product sensitivity, or friction.

Send me a photo so I can guide you on what to adjust.

• Intense itching paired with hives or raised areas

This may be an allergic reaction to a product or bandage.

• A section of the tattoo that suddenly looks much lighter or “missing”

This can happen if a scab was accidentally pulled off or if the area was rubbed too much.

It’s usually fixable — just let me know.