Traditional Aftercare:

• Keep the plastic wrap on for 20 minutes to an hour, or until you get home from your appointment.

• Remove the plastic wrap. With clean hands, gently wash your tattoo with antibacterial, unscented soap and water. I recommend using Dr. Bronners mild baby soap, or Dial Gold. Remove any dried blood and plasma. Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth or anything other than a gentle hand wash during the two week healing period. Gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel, or soft cloth.

• Allow for the tattoo to sit and air dry for about 20 - 30 minutes, or until the skin feels tight and dry. Allow for excess moisture from the swelling under the skin as well as moisture from washing the tattoo to evaporate out. Letting your tattoo “breathe” any time you get it wet is very important prior to the peeling stage.

• Once dry, apply a chapstick-thin coat of ointment to the tattoo. I recommend using Aquaphor or Redemption Aftercare (sold in studio). Keep the layers VERY thin, a little bit goes a long way. Using too much ointment can trap germs into your tattoo which can potentially lead to infection. Dab off any excess with a clean paper towel, or soft cloth. Do not rebandage the tattoo.

• Repeat the steps of washing, drying, and applying ointment 2 - 3 times a day for the first 3 - 4 days (while the tattoo still feels tender). This can be repeated anytime the tattoo is feeling stiff or dry, but be cautious of over moisturizing or oversaturing your tattoo with ointment.

• After 3 - 4 days or when the tattoo begins the peeling phase, switch to a regular unscented lotion. I recommend Lubriderm, Eucerin or Jergens, unscented lotions. Do not use lotions that include color or fragrance until the healing is complete. Apply moisturizer as needed throughout the day. It is still possible to over moisturize to be cautious to only use it when the skin needs it. But don’t let it get too dry. Keeping the tattoo moist allows it to form a thin membrane that protects the tattoo as it heals, and prevents scabs from forming. This layer peels off just like a sunburn. Do not peel or pick at your tattoo, it will pull the ink out. It is normal to see small flakes of colored skin, and it will fall off on its own.

• Give the tattoo about 10 - 14 days to be completely healed. If you have any questions throughout the healing process please reach out to me at oddmiragestudio@gmail.com.

Saniderm Aftercare

• Keep the Saniderm bandage on for at least 24 hours. 

• After the first 24 hours, gently remove the bandage. I recommend removing it in the shower or running under warm water. Pull away from your skin in an upward motion rather than peeling the bandage back to avoid damaging the skin underneath.

• With clean hands, gently wash your tattoo with antibacterial, unscented soap and water. I recommend using Dr. Bronner's mild baby soap, or Dial Gold. Remove any dried blood and plasma. Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth or anything other than a gentle hand wash during the two week healing period. Gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel, or soft cloth.

• With clean hands, gently wash your tattoo with antibacterial, unscented soap and water. I recommend using Dr. Bronner's mild baby soap, or Dial Gold. Remove any dried blood and plasma. Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth or anything other than a gentle hand wash during the two week healing period. Gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel, or soft cloth.

• With clean hands, gently wash your tattoo with antibacterial, unscented soap and water. I recommend using Dr. Bronner's mild baby soap, or Dial Gold. Remove any dried blood and plasma. Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth or anything other than a gentle hand wash during the two week healing period. Gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel, or soft cloth.

•  Apply the new bandage. Peel back the white paper from the sticky side of the bandage and apply it over your tattoo. Once adhered, remove the see-through second layer of wrap from the top side of the bandage and smooth it down. Try and avoid air bubbles under the bandage and do your best to remove them if they do happen.

• Keep this second bandage on for 3 - 6 days (6 days being ideal). If the tattoo or skin around appears to be irritated, there is fluid build up, or the bandage starts to come off on its own, it is okay to remove the bandage sooner and continue with the traditional aftercare process.

• Switch to a regular unscented skin lotion. I recommend Lubriderm, Eucerin or Jergens, unscented lotions. Do not use lotions that include color or fragrance until the healing is complete. Apply moisturizer as needed throughout the day. It is still possible to over moisturize to be cautious to only use it when the skin needs it, but don’t let it get too dry. Do not peel or pick at your tattoo, it will pull the ink out. It is normal to see small flakes of colored skin, and it will fall off on its own.

• Do not re-apply any bandages after the scabbing/flaking phase of the tattoo starts. If you are without a bandage during this phase, be sure to keep the area clean and moisturized.

• Do not re-apply any bandages after the scabbing/flaking phase of the tattoo starts. If you are without a bandage during this phase, be sure to keep the area clean and moisturized.

• Give the tattoo about 10 - 14 days to be completely healed. If you have any questions throughout the healing process please reach out to me at oddmiragestudio@gmail.com.

DO NOT:

• Do not soak or submerge your tattoo whether it’s in the shower, bath, lake, pond, ocean, etc. Swimming is not recommended.

• Do not peel or pick at your tattoo. Picking can pull ink out and leak to skin trauma and/or scabbing.

• Do not expose your tattoo to the sun. The sun is BAD for your tattoo, whether it is fresh or fully healed, but even more so when healing. A sunburn on your tattoo can cause numerous problems on top of being extremely uncomfortable. It can dry out your tattoo and form scabs resulting in fading before the tattoo is healed. It can also extend the healing process and can cause scarring in the healed piece. After your tattoo is healed, I recommend using a high quality sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher). Never put sunscreen on a healing tattoo. Wait until your tattoo is completely healed before returning to the sun or tanning beds.

• Do not restrict your tattoo with tight clothing. Tight clothing will rub on your new tattoo causing irritation that can lead to healing complications like scabbing and scarring.