How to care for your tattoo
What NOT to do…
Please read and follow these guidelines to heal your tattoo or permanent makeup*** in the best and safest way!
No touching tattoo with unwashed hands (you or anyone else).
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No picking or scratching at healing tattoos (causes fall-out and infection).
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No scented ointments/lotions (this can cause reactions or infection).
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No medicated ointments, like Neosporin (this can blur and fade your significantly).
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No over applying products to tattoos (over moisturizing can cause fall-out or infection).
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No shaving tattooed area for 3-4 weeks (If applicable to an area that you regularly groom).
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No sun exposure during healing - keep the area covered with loose clothing, a hat or just avoid going outside (any level of sunburn can cause terrible damage to a healing tattoo).
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No tight clothing over tattooed area (if the tattoo is in an area with friction or can’t breathe and gets trapped with sweat, can create infection).
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No excessive sweating for 2-3 weeks (you don’t want to introduce bacteria and cause an infection).
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No public gyms/saunas, or soaking/steaming/swimming (anywhere) for 2-3 weeks (you don’t want to expose your healing tattoo to potential bacteria, fungus, or other organisms that can cause infection).
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No animal exposure - do not let your pet(s) in contact with your tattoo.
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***EXTRAS for Permanent Cosmetics
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DO NOT let water, lotion, soap. or makeup touch procedure site.
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NO tanning.
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DO NOT drink alcohol or smoke in excess (can slow healing).
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DO NOT sleep on face for first week.
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NO AHA's (lactic, glycolic, citric, retinols or tartaric acids) or any OTC creams/lotions for tone correction, anti aging, exfoliation etc., it can discolor or fade permanent makeup.
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2nd Skin Aftercare
Please DM or email us with any concerns or questions!
First 3-5 Days
Keep the applied bandage on for anywhere from 3 to 5 days. It’s normal to develop a bubble of plasma/blood/lymph fluid buildup under the bandage. If it begins to leak or if your skin becomes irritated (red bumps around edges OK, red bumps on/near tattoo are not) you can remove it.
Bandage Removal ~Before touching your tattoo for any reason, it’s important your hands are clean (wash for 20 seconds with warm water and an antibacterial soap). Have your antibacterial/unscented soap, clean towel/paper towel ready. To remove 2nd skin, find an edge of the bandage and gently pull it back over itself in the direction of your natural hair growth. Warm or lukewarm running water will help loosen the adhesive and relax the skin, making the removal much more comfortable. Dry removal of bandage may cause discomfort and added trauma to the skin.
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Wash~ Discard the used bandage. Wash the tattoo with a small amount of mild fragrance-free, antibacterial soap, with warm or lukewarm water. Avoid building up a lather, as it’s difficult to remove, and avoid scrubbing, as it will damage tattoo. Rinse tattoo until cleaned of all product. Allow the tattoo to air dry (10 minutes or until completely dry) or pat dry with a clean towel.
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Moisturize~ Apply a thin layer of aftercare product to your tattoo. Avoid slathering or over-applying product, it can suffocate the tattoo and can result in fall-out or infection. If you have naturally oily skin or live in a high humidity climate, feel free to skip this step. Only apply the a thin layer of product on the tattoo, and avoid getting it on the surrounding skin.
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Caring for Your New Tattoo After Removing 2nd Skin
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Continue to care for it by gently washing it twice daily (plus any time your tattoo comes into contact with a potential irritant). Apply a thin layer of aftercare moisturizer 2x a day for 2-3 weeks or until the tattoo is no longer peeling, dry, or cracked.
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Keep in mind that the tattoo may appear to be fully healed on the surface once your bandage comes off. However, deeper layers of skin will still be repairing for 2 – 4 months. We recommend a good moisturizing regimen for this entire period.
Traditional Healing
After Appointment
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When you leave the studio, your new tattoo with be wrapped up.
You will need to remove the wrapping within 3hrs (never leave for more than 12 hrs) and wash your tattoo before bed. Do NOT remove the bandage until you can properly clean it.
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Washing Your Tattoo ~Before touching your tattoo for any reason, it’s important your hands are clean (wash for 20 seconds with warm water and an antibacterial soap). Have your antibacterial/unscented soap, clean towel/paper towel, and lotion/balm ready.
Wash the tattoo with a small amount of mild fragrance-free, antibacterial soap, with warm or lukewarm water. Wash with gentle circular motions all over your tattoo. Avoid building up a lather, as it’s difficult to remove, and avoid scrubbing, as it will damage the tattoo. Rinse your tattoo until cleaned of all product and any plasma/blood.
Allow the tattoo to air dry (10 minutes or until completely dry) or pat dry with a clean towel.
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You will need to wash the tattoo 2x daily (morning and night, plus any time the tattoo touches anything unsanitary) until healed.
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Moisturizing Your Tattoo ~Apply a thin layer of aftercare product to your tattoo once it’s completely dry. We recommend simple products without fragrance and without petroleum. You should only apply enough for your skin to absorb - avoid slathering or over-applying product, it can suffocate the tattoo and can result in fall-out or infection. Blot excess product with a paper towel - clean and moisturize lightly as needed throughout the day to alleviate itching and drying.
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First Week
Between washes, blot any weeping plasma from the tattoo - this is normal, your body is healing a wound.
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Moisturize with ointment sparingly, but as needed throughout the day (wash your tattoo before applying to avoid trapping bacteria under the product).
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NEVER pick or scratch peeling/flaking skin on or around your tattoo - this can cause scarring, fallout or infection.
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Second Week (or when peeling begins)
Once you enter the peeling phase, switch to a simple unscented lotion (ointment will be too much at this point).
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Moisturize with lotion sparingly, but as needed throughout the day to alleviate itching and dryness.
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Deeper layers of the skin will still be repairing for 2-4 months. We recommend a good moisturizing regimen for this entire period.​​
Permanent Cosmetic Healing
Eyebrows, lips, & eyeliner
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MUST READ WHAT NOT TO DO'S FIRST!
Entire healing process will take from 4-10 weeks depending on your immune system and age. YOUR NEW TATTOO WILL GO THROUGH SEVERAL PHASES DURING THE HEALING CYCLE. The following is a general expectation but will vary from person to person.
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For Eyebrows:
Beginning 24 hours post procedure, with clean hands, wipe eyebrows clean with cotton pad and bottled water (NO TAP WATER). Clean eyebrows like this every 2-3 times daily, until eyebrows have completely flaked or peeled. Apply sheer layer of tattoo salve after every cleaning.
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Day 1-5: Oxidation of the pigment will begin. Pigment appears dark and bold. Procedure site may be swollen and red, but shall subside as time goes on. Itching may occur. Do not scratch! Tapping around the area is okay.
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Day 5-10: Tattoo will begin to flake or peel. DO NOT TOUCH and allow skin to come off naturally. Picking at site may cause removal of pigment and/or scarring. This is just the superficial color and dry skin is being naturally removed from your eyebrows. The final look of your tattoo will be apparent approximately 30 days after your procedure. Never rub the treated area as it will disturb the skin’s natural healing process.

Day 10-15: Your tattoo may seem light as if all color has come off/not retained. Note that because of natural skin regeneration, after recovery period (peeling), color might appear lighter than before. This may give you the impression that color is fading too quickly. The epidermal layer is healing itself and may become opaque in the process. The pigment sits in a deeper layer of the skin which will rise to the surface as the skin cells regenerate.
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Day 15-30: Skin cell regeneration is still occurring and color is slowly being pushed up to the surface of the skin. Color returns at this time.
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For Lips:
Lip aftercare is as important to the retention of the pigment as the actual implantation process. During this period, the primary objective is to allow the bonding process to be completely sealed inside the dermis. Your compliance will ensure that you receive maximum benefits from the procedure and reduce follow up visits.
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Immediately post-procedure ~ Ice packs are highly recommended for 10-15 minutes each hour for the first 4-8 hours. This will help reduce swelling and provide comfort. After 24 hours ice is no longer beneficial. Additionally, to reduce swelling, we recommend Arnica Montana in pellet form used sublingually 3 times per day.
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To Clean ~ With clean hands, cleanse lips by gently dabbing with a Q-tip and bottled water.
Follow with a thin layer of tattoo salve. Apply salve several times per day (with a clean Q-tip). This will keep lips moist and accelerate healing. Do not let the area dry out, keep moist at all times.
Apply heavy coat of salve before bed time and before washing adjacent areas, and reapply salve immediately upon waking up.
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Brushing & Eating ~ When brushing teeth for the first 3 days, coat lips with a lot of salve before brushing and use a minimal amount of toothpaste. Do not get toothpaste or mouthwash on the lips as these may remove lip color.
For the first 2 days, use a straw when consuming liquids; avoid eating foods that cause you to open your mouth widely (i.e. burgers, sandwiches, etc.), spicy foods. Only use clean, personal cutlery and cups (not from restaurant or plastic) to avoid infection.
Smoking is discouraged during the healing process.
For eyeliner:
Day 1: DO NOT touch the eyes. At bedtime you may use a cold gel pack over a clean cloth. Do not apply directly over the skin.
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Day 2: With clean hands, begin cleansing with bottled water and a q-tip. Roll a dampened q-tip over eyeliner and gently clean lash line. Apply thin layer of tattoo salve. Repeat once in the morning and once at night. The eyes may be more swollen the day after the procedure. This is completely normal. Some clients swell more than others. Swelling should begin to subside and should look better by the end of the day.
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