Tattoo healing & aftercare

QUIET CANARY

If you have a sterile white bandage with black tape, leave the bandage on for 8-10 hours. If possible, sleep with it on the first night. When you remove it, wash your hands first then remove and dispose of the bandage. Gently wash with warm water and a mild, unscented soap until the tattoo is no longer shiny/has a film. Run tattoo under cool water for 10 seconds. Pat dry tattoo and surrounding area with a clean towel or paper towel. There is no need to apply lotion on the first day. Wash with mild soap 1-2x a day or as needed and apply a thin layer of lotion whenever it feels dry or tight. Continue keeping tattoo clean and apply lotion until tattoo is fully healed - around  2-3 weeks. There’s no need to apply another bandage after you remove one provided by your artist.

If you have a clear Hypa-Fix bandage, leave the bandage on for 24 hours up to 3 days. If it feels itchy or uncomfortable at any time please remove it and follow washing instructions below. It’s best to remove the bandage in the shower. Let the water from the shower run down the bandage, but not directly hit the tattoo. Keep skin taught and pull bandage off slowly and carefully keeping it close to the skin as you pull (pull with the skin, not away). Wash tattoo with mild, unscented soap and warm water. Run under cool water for 10 seconds. Pat dry tattoo and surrounding area with clean towel or paper towel. Wash with mild soap 1-2x a day or as needed and apply a thin layer of lotion to keep the tattoo from drying out - whenever the skin feels dry or tight. Continue keeping tattoo clean and apply lotion until tattoo is fully healed - around  2-3 weeks. 

If at any time the bandage leaks, is no longer a seal on your skin or falls off, follow the cleaning instructions above. It’s okay if it doesn’t last for 3 days.

If at anytime skin shows signs of allergic reaction remove bandage immediately. If you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact me or a health professional. 

Additional info:

Unscented, mild lotion is best. I recommend using Aveeno or Lubriderm unscented lotion. If you have dry, sensitive skin I recommend Eucerin Calming lotion. You can use tattoo-specific products as well. As long as it isn’t scented and your body doesn’t negatively react to it it should be suitable. 

Don’t soak your new tattoo and avoid water hitting it directly in the shower. No swimming/hot tubs/lakes/ocean for 2 weeks. 

No tanning and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun for the first 3-4 weeks. 

Keep your clothes and bedding as clean as possible in the first week. Wear loose fitting clothing to allow the tattoo to breathe when possible. Don’t let pets lick/scratch your new tattoo. 

Your tattoo will peel and flake and small bits of pigmented skin may shed. Don’t scratch or pick. It’ll get itchy for a few days. Gently slap it if the itch is intense. :)

Enjoy your new tattoo! Don’t panic if it is taking a little longer to heal or some ink seeps out in the first day or so. It’s all okay. I offer free touch ups on tattoos for the first 6 months if needed.*

Healing and care for your tattoo is your responsibility as soon as you leave my studio. Everyone heals differently and at a different pace. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact me or a health professional.

*I don’t offer free touch ups on hand, finger or foot tattoos and touch ups are by artist discretion