TATTOO AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS

Your tattoo was thoughtfully and carefully applied by a professional artist. The rest is up to you to ensure maximum healing results. It is very important that you take the time to properly care for your new tattoo. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your new tattoo with a fragrance free antibacterial soap. Consider your new tattoo a fresh, open skin wound. If you would not put a product (like scented lotion, sunscreen, or vaseline) on an open wound, do not put it on your new tattoo. 

We offer two different healing methods: Traditional or Saniderm

Traditional

1. Remove bandage within a few hours and wash it with warm water and fragrance free, antibacterial soap (like Gold Dial Hand Soap or Hustle Butter Foam). Pat dry with lint free paper towel.  Apply a thin layer of Hustle Butter after washing, and whenever it feels dry. The goal is to keep your new tattoo moisturized, but not suffocated.
2. Wash your new tattoo two to three times daily during the healing process, following step one as needed to prevent dryness. Do this for 3-5 days. It is okay to wash your tattoo in the tub or shower, but do not let your new tattoo soak underwater.
3. Do not pick or scratch your new tattoo. Allow peeling skin to fall off on its own. Flaking skin usually falls off in 7-10 days. 
4. Keep your tattoo clean and continue to use Hustle Butter to moisturize your new tattoo until it’s completely healed. Wear clean, loose clothing to protect your tattoo while healing, and allow it to breathe. Do not rewrap your tattoo.

Saniderm

1. Leave the Saniderm bandage that was applied at the studio on for 24 hours. It is completely normal for your tattoo to leak plasma as it heals, which can make the ink appear gooey and blurred under the bandage. This leaking should happen within the first 24 hours while the first piece of Saniderm is on. If you suspect there is a hole or a break in the seal of the bandage, it should be removed and replaced with a new bandage.
2. After 24 hours, remove Saniderm by gently rolling the bandage downward back over itself, in the same direction as your hair. To help loosen the adhesive, remove Saniderm while in a warm shower. Avoid ripping Saniderm off quickly, or pulling it off in an upward direction. If the bandage fills with plasma after the second Saniderm piece has been applied, remove after another 24 hours and apply a third piece.
3. Wash your tattoo with warm water and fragrance free, antibacterial soap (like Gold Dial Hand Soap or Hustle Butter Foam). Pat dry and apply the second Saniderm piece provided to you by peeling off paper backing to expose the adhesive side. Gently press Saniderm onto skin using light pressure. For best results, ensure that the skin is in a neutral position, and do not stretch the Saniderm when applying. Leave around an inch perimeter of Saniderm around the tattoo, trimming or overlapping pieces as needed. Remove plastic backing at the perforation, leaving only the Saniderm bandage on the skin.
4. Leave this piece on for up to six days (5 days if it is your third piece). The entire process of Saniderm use should not exceed 7 days total, regardless of the amount of pieces used. You can take your Saniderm bandage off earlier than the suggested time, but do not exceed the suggested times. If irritation occurs, remove your Saniderm bandage and continue with traditional aftercare, following the instructions outlined above.
5. After your final piece of Saniderm has been removed, continue to moisturize your tattoo using Hustle Butter, or another fragrance free balm or lotion. Once the tattoo has healed completely, apply a high SPF sunscreen to your tattoo daily.

Do’s and Do Not’s During Healing

• DO NOT go in the sun, sunlight can oxidize your tattoo and ruin it.
• DO NOT expose healing tattoo swimming, bath tub, hot tub, pet dander/saliva, unclean conditions, irritating clothing, or any other conditions that may hinder healing.
• DO NOT swim in pools, lake, or ocean water for at least two weeks.
• DO NOT use excessive amounts of balm or lotion - your tattoo needs to breathe!
• DO use a high SPF sunscreen when exposed to the sun after your tattoo has healed.
• DO avoid any strenuous activities that cause excessive sweating, as it may trap bad bacteria under the bandage, which can lead to infection.
• DO drink lots of water to keep the skin hydrated.
• DO listen to your artist regarding aftercare, not your friends!

Recommended to Use During Healing

• Hustle Butter, Mad Rabbit or any other product designed for tattoo aftercare
• Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Unsafe Products to Use During Healing

• Vaseline, or other petroleum jelly based products
• Scented lotion or scented hand soap
• Neosporin
• Coconut oil