How to Take Care of Your Cool New Tattoo

Congratulations on your new tattoo! Follow the steps below for our recommended aftercare.

First Day and Night

Before anything, make sure you have the following items:

Unscented Antibacterial Soap (Dial Gold)
Aquaphor
Unscented Light Lotion (Lubriderm, Aveeno)
Paper Towels

Keep the bandage on for at least 3 hours to catch any excess bleeding. We recommend keeping it on overnight if the bandage feels comfortable and secure. If you decide to remove the bandage before going to bed, follow the next steps listed below!

On the first night, your tattoo will most likely still be bleeding. The blood can dry overnight and stick to your clothes or bedding. In that case, gently remove the fabric. If it remains stuck, wet the area with lukewarm water to loosen.

Fresh tattoos can weep during the first couple of days as ink and plasma will form a thin coating on top. This is normal and can be cleaned with soap, water and a clean paper towel.

Removing the Bandage and Cleaning The Tattoo

Before you start, wash your hands with unscented antibacterial soap.

Carefully remove the bandage and wrapping.

Lather your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water.

Gently clean the tattoo until all blood, plasma and ointment is removed, then gently rinse with warm water.

Pat dry the tattoo with a clean paper towel. Avoid any scrubbing or scratching on the tattoo.

When the tattoo is dry, apply a very thin layer of Aquaphor. Less is best, you do not want to suffocate the tattoo as this can cause your skin to break out.

Repeat this process at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. After the third or fourth day, switch from Aquaphor to an unscented lotion. Your sign will be when the tattoo begins to flake or peel like a sunburn.

Your tattoo should be healed within 2 to 3 weeks. Afterwards, we only recommend general moisturizing with unscented lotion.

After the first few days, your tattoo may become itchy and form flakes or scabs. Avoid scratching or picking at your tattoo as this may cause the pigment to fall out. Keep the tattoo clean and lightly moisturized and any scabs will come off naturally as it heals.

Things to Keep in Mind

Avoid exposing your new tattoo to any sunlight. Wear loose clothing over your tattoo to prevent any sticking or scabbing.

Consider the tattoo an open wound and try to prevent any rubbing or scratching against any surface, especially your hands.

Avoid soaking your tattoo underwater for long periods of time. Showers are no problem.

Take a break from working out or going to the gym at least for a week. When the tattoo is fresh, any excess sweat or exposure to germs can cause an infection. Two weeks is recommended to avoid any damage to the tattoo.

Your body generally knows how to heal itself! The most important step is keeping the tattoo clean and lightly moisturized, less is more with aftercare.

If you have any questions, feel free to call us at +1 (718) 312-9712 or email jadepalacetattoo@gmail.com.

Healing with Second Skin

Occasionally with small or less saturated tattoos, our artists will apply a layer of second skin bandage.

Depending on the size or location of tattoo, the bandage can remain on the skin for 2-6 days. You can shower with this bandage on. The first few days the bandage will collect plasma and blood and build up, this is normal and will dry out. Your tattoo may feel itchy and dry after a few days, this is your sign to remove it.

If you notice that the bandage has openings or leaks, remove ASAP and clean the tattoo.

To remove, hop in the shower and run the bandage under warm to hot water, loosening up the edges. Pull the bandage away from the tattoo while water runs until removed. From here, wash off any dry blood, plasma and adhesive from tattoo with antibacterial soap.

Pat dry the tattoo and moisturize the tattoo with unscented lotion, not Aquaphor. Generally tattoos heal faster with this process and should be settled within a week and a half to two weeks.