Aftercare

Congratulations on your new tattoo!

How well you care for your tattoo will affect the quality of the final outcome. Keeping your tattoo clean, and moisturizing when needed, are the best ways to support your body’s natural healing process.

Respect the fresh tattoo by avoiding direct sun, and do not pick or abrade the area. Only touch your tattoo with freshly washed hands. To avoid infection, you should refrain from swimming or soaking in water until your tattoo has finished peeling, which generally happens around two weeks after your session. You need to ensure your bed linens, towels, and clothes that come into contact with the tattoo are also clean. If you show any signs of infection or allergic reaction consult a healthcare professional immediately.

For more detailed directions, read on.

First Steps:

  • If you left the studio with a cloth or absorbent dressing, it can be removed within four-six hours or first thing in the morning if your session has finished in the evening. If you were bandaged with a transparent semi-occlusive dressing, it needs to be removed within 24 hours, earlier if liquid builds up beneath it.

  • After removing the initial dressing, follow the instructions below to gently cleanse and moisturize the tattoo. As soon as you remove the bandage, you need to begin a consistent routine of cleansing, moisturizing and continuing to protect your tattoo.

Gentle Cleansing:

  • Wash it twice a day, more if you’ve broken a sweat or contacted any public surfaces.

  • Wash your tattoo softly, no scrubbing!

  • Use lukewarm water and a gentle liquid soap. My favorite is the unscented Castile oil soap by Dr. Bronners.

  • Gently pat the tattoo dry with a paper towel or preferably a freshly laundered, clean, soft cloth (Not your dirty shower towel that touched your butt! Not that dirty hand towel that’s been used who knows what!).

  • Avoid rubbing the tattoo.

Moisturizing Magic:

  • Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo.

  • Decide how often you need to moisturize by observing your skin closely several times a day. You do not want the tattoo to dry out and crack, but you also want it to be able to breathe and not be constantly occluded by oils. Strike a balance where your skin feels hydrated but not suffocated.

  • If you already have a skincare routine and have a favorite lotion that makes your skin happy, chances are good that that product will be appropriate for your tattoo too. Exceptions include moisturizers that contain lots of perfumes or alcohol, which can sting.

  • Colorado has a very dry climate, so you may find applying a heavier salve or oil based product to be helpful if your lotion isn’t quite doing the trick.

  • My favorite way to moisturize is to glide a thin layer of shea butter or coconut oil on the tattoo

Hydration Hero:

  • Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water to aid in the healing process and maintain skin elasticity.

Sun Shielding:

  • Protect your tattoo from direct sunlight, especially during the initial healing weeks. Direct sun can ruin your healing tattoo.

  • Once your tattoo is fully healed, it still needs to be protected from the sun to keep it looking good. Solar radiation breaks up the pigment particles, causing faster fading and blurring. Wear protective clothing or use a sunscreen with high SPF to prevent fading and damage.

Clothing Caution:

  • Wear clean, loose-fitting, breathable clothing over your tattoo to avoid irritation.

  • Opt for fabrics like cotton that allow your skin to breathe.

Stay Out of the Swamp:

  • Refrain from swimming in pools, hot tubs, or other bodies of water until the tattoo is fully healed to prevent infections. Two weeks is a good estimate but individual healing times vary.

  • Serious (even deadly) infections and damage to the tattoo can occur if you do not follow this advice!

  • Avoid sweating heavily for the first several days to a week. Cleanse and moisturize after breaking a sweat. 

  • Don’t let your tattoo hang out wet, too much moisture is breeding ground for bacteria.

Soothing itching or discomfort:

  • Icing your tattoo with a bag of ice wrapped in a clean cloth for 10 minutes on, five minutes off can help. Alternately, a warm compress applied for 3 minutes can feel soothing as well.

  • If you are experiencing itching, consider applying a thin layer of aloe vera gel – ensure it's free of alcohol.

  • Natural first aid salves designed for application on broken skin with ingredients like calendula and comfrey can help calm and soothe your tattoo. Badger makes a great all natural Tattoo Balm that can be found at larger health food stores.

Listen to Your Skin:

  • Pay attention to your body's reactions; if you notice any unusual redness, swelling, or discharge, consult with a healthcare professional immediately.

  • If your tattoo is itchy, cleanse and moisturize it.

  • Never scrub, pick or scratch during the healing process!

Patience and Persistence:

  • Healing times vary, but on average, it takes 2-4 weeks. Be patient and consistent with your aftercare routine.

  • It is normal for tattoos to peel a bit while healing. Do not try to rush this part, picking or scratching can damage your tattoo.

Consult the Witch:

  • If you have any concerns or questions about your tattoo's healing process, don't hesitate to reach out for questions or support.

  • Email me a picture if you are unsure or have questions about your tattoo.

  • Touch ups for are free for the first two years, 

Ritual Aftercare

Integration of ritual experience takes time and can vary from feelings of celebratory easeful lightness, to embracing the gravity of big emotions. Healing and growth rarely take straight lines. Sometimes we find ourselves weaving in and out of the real-deal emotional and cognitive work. We might need to be extra gentle with ourselves and maybe even reach out for support. 

For this reason we will have a planned check-in. Check-ins can range from a simple message exchange, to meeting again in person to help you resolve loose ends. This really depends on the depth of the work we get into and how individual needs vary. 

If you need further processing, please contact me so that we can help you find resolution. If your needs are outside of my scope of practice, I can help you to connect with professional resources for mental health and spiritual advisement.