Tattoo Aftercare

After your appointment, your artist will apply a second skin bandage to your tattoo, unless you are allergic to adhesives. Our second-skin bandage is a breathable, waterproof, clear adhesive bandage that is amazing for healing tattoos.

Leave the bandage on for 48 hours.

After this time has passed, wash your hands and proceed to remove the bandage in the shower. Peel back the plastic very slowly and carefully.

Do not rip if off like a Bandaid. 

Clean the tattoo with warm, soapy water. Be sure to use unscented soap that is free of dyes and alcohol. Just use your fingertips, not a washcloth, as the latter will be abrasive to your tattoo.

After your shower, pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. Allow to air dry until it's dry to the touch. 

Make sure you ALWAYS wash your hands before your touch your healing tattoo, to avoid introducing unwanted bacteria.

When your tattoo feels dry, apply a thin layer of white, unscented lotion to the tattoo. We recommend Lubriderm.

Wash your tattoo a few times a day. We recommend using unscented baby wipes to rid the area of bacteria.

Re-apply a thin layer of moisturizer a few times a day, when your tattoo feels dry.

Do not re-apply if your tattoo already feels moisturized, as you may oversaturate the tattoo.

Repeat this process (wash and lotion) for 7-10 days, or until your tattoo is done flaking and peeling. 

HAPPY TATTOOS ARE:

1, Protected from the sun, the sun is the biggest, slowest tattoo-removal laser ever. So, every time your tattoo is exposed to direct sun, consider throwing on some sunscreen (the higher the SPF the better!). Don’t forget to re-apply! 50SPF means you should be reapplying every 50 minutes!

2. Well moisturised, but not over-moisturised! it’s a fine line between ensuring your piece is happy, but not oversaturated. Moisturise as often as you feel is necessary (any time your tattoo feels tight, itchy, or dry) but every time you moisturize it make sure that your skin is absorbing all of the cream! Do not leave a layer of moisturizer on top!

3. Babied! that means, no scratching, itching, picking, scraping, etc.

ANGRY TATTOOS ARE:

1. SOAKED, please do not soak your tattoo in water of any kind for 2 weeks. Please do not go swimming (oceans/pools), or hot tubbing for a minimum of 6 weeks. Seriously. It’s unsafe for you, can damage your tattoo, and no artist wants to see their art DESTROYED

2. TANNED, Please do not expose your tattoo to direct sun for a minimum of 6 weeks after your appointment. After 6 weeks, apply sunscreen any time your tattoo will be exposed for more than 15 minutes.

3. SWEATY, Avoid vigorous EXERCISE for 10 days after your tattoo appointment. no hot yoga, or saunas for 6 weeks.

4. SMOTHERED, DO NOT wear tight clothing over the tattoo for 6 weeks (watch for bra straps, yoga pants, etc.)

5. IRRITATED, DO NOT pick at or scratch your tattoo. we know it’s hard, we know it sucks, but we believe in you! (keeping your nails trimmed short can help with mindlessly scratching!)

Touch-Up Policy

Touch ups should be done no sooner than 6 weeks after your last tattoo appointment.

If you'd like a touch-up, please send a clear, well lit photo of the tattoo as it is to wildwoodtattoo@gmail.com so we can determine how long of an appointment you will need, and then get you booked! Your artist can also give you a quote as to the cost of the touch-ups. This typically just covers supplies needed for your appointment.

Hands, feet and necks will be charged full rate, as they are not guaranteed by our artists.

Completely at your artist's discretion, you may be charged the full rate if the touch-ups are extensive, or if the tattoo wasn’t taken care of properly. The most common reason for touch-ups is improper aftercare.

Please make sure you take good care of your piece!