Aftercare

I want your tattoo to look the best it can for as long as humanly possible!

I’ve seen a lot of tattoos, I have a lot of tattoos, and these aftercare guidelines are a result of that experience. This is what I recommend!

Ashlee / Ashlee V Tattoo (and any shop associated with them) is not responsible for the way your tattoo heals or what happens to it once it leaves the shop. That’s all you!

Depending on the shop you see me at, I may have bandaged your tattoo with something called DERM-SHIELD. It has other brand names (Saniderm, Tegaderm, etc.) but they are all very similar — a clear, adhesive bandage.

Please note:
If you are not sure if I wrapped you with Derm-Shield, then I probably did not!

    1. I will apply the clear adhesive bandage at the end of your tattoo. Leave this bandage on for around 5- 7 days. Some peeling of the edges is expected but leave it alone as best as you can.

    2. After 5 - 7 days, (with clean hands) peel the bandage off your tattoo gently — preferably while in the shower or under running water. It is normal for there to be ink on the bandage!

    3. Carefully wash the tattoo with clear antibacterial soap. It is normal for some adhesive residue to be left on your skin! Do not scrub your fresh tattoo! Gently try to wash the residue off — leave anything that won’t come off easily. It will come off on it’s own.

    4. Gently PAT your tattoo dry with clean paper towel, every time. Do not rub, use a towel, or use fabric with a rough surface!

    5. Wash your tattoo and apply a thin layer of fragrance-free and dye-free lotion to the tattoo 4+ times a day and / or whenever the tattoo feels itchy for at least 7 days. Fragrances are an infection risk!

    6. Do not re-bandage your tattoo!

    7. See the next section for things to avoid and things to keep in mind with your healing tattoo!


      AGAIN:
      If you are not sure if you were wrapped with this bandage, then you probably were not!

  • These instructions are for clients who DID NOT get the “Dermshield” bandage:

    1. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your fresh tattoo! Remove bandages after an hour or so. This is likely just clear plastic wrap! NOT ADHESIVE. Do not sleep in this bandage and do not re-bandage your tattoo!

    2. Gently wash your tattoo with an unscented, antibacterial, liquid soap (Fragrances are an infection risk! Do not use bar soap) and warm water. Do not use a washcloth, loofah, or anything abrasive. Only use your hands!

    3. Gently PAT your tattoo dry with clean paper towel, every time. Do not rub, use towels, or use fabric with a rough surface!

    4. Apply a VERY THIN layer of "Aquaphor Healing Ointment" after each wash. Gently pat off any excess ointment with a new paper towel. Do not use Vaseline / petroleum! Always use clean hands and do not touch your fingers back into the ointment container after touching your tattoo.

    5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 for the next five - seven days at least 3 to 4 times a day.

    6. After the first week, apply a fragrance-free and dye-free lotion (Fragrances are an infection risk!) to the tattoo several times a day and / or whenever the tattoo feels itchy for another 7 days at least but you can go longer if needed!

    7. See the next section for things to avoid and things to keep in mind with your healing tattoo!

Things to keep in mind and things to avoid:

You’re going to have this tattoo forever. Let’s protect that investment!

Your tattoo may appear to be “healed” after a week, but I promise you — IT IS NOT HEALED, and it is still vulnerable!

— Wear clean, soft, and loose-fitting clothing over your tattoo for the first week (minimum) and avoid any clothing that is abrasive, tight, or irritating. The first 5 days are critical for healing!

For foot tattoos, go barefoot and avoid wearing shoes as much as you can.

— Avoid perfume, cologne, body spray, or fragrance of any kind for 1 week. Fragrance (and the ingredient “fragrance”) is a risk for inflammation, bad healing, and infection.

— While healing, your tattoo may begin to peel and itch. Do not pick, scratch, peel, or rub your tattoo EVER! This can damage your tattoo. If it itches, lotion your tattoo again or slap the tattoo gently.

— Do NOT pick scabs or peel any flakes! This can pull pigment from your skin and damage your tattoo.

— You can (and should) shower but do not wash or scrub your tattoo with body wash or use a loofah / washcloth. Avoid prolonged exposure to extremely hot water if possible.

— Do not submerge your tattoo for at least 2 weeks; longer if you have any visible scabs. No swimming (pools, lakes, ANY body of water is a NO), no baths, no hot tubs!

— Do not expose your fresh tattoo to the sun or UV light for at least 10 days. YOU CANNOT APPLY SUN-BLOCK TO A HEALING TATTOO! After 2 weeks, using a high SPF will help protect the pigments and extend the quality life of the tattoo.

— Avoid direct contact with anyone or anything potentially septic and / or bacterial for at least 2 weeks; including animals, rest rooms, bodily fluids, gym equipment, lakes, rivers, etc. If your tattoo is exposed to any of these, wash with antibacterial soap immediately! You do not want your new tattoo to get infected.

— Beware of conflicting advice from friends, family, and the internet! This is what I recommend my clients.

— Although it is rare, if you do not properly take care of your tattoo, it may become infected. Infections generally include excessive pain, excessive heat from the tattoo, spreading bright-red inflamed tissue around the outside of the tattoo that may also have thin red outward radiating lines, it may ooze yellow pus, or bleed abnormally.

If you think your tattoo is infected, you can ask for my opinion but there is nothing I can do for you — seek professional medical attention immediately!