CARE

I expect every client to thoroughly follow my personal pre-care and aftercare instructions after each tattoo performed by me. Each artist has their own way of doing this and I ask that you please respect mine by carefully following this guide.

PRE-CARE

Preparing the skin for the tattoo session is an important part of the tattooing process. Having dry skin at the time of your tattoo can lead to problems for the artist and longer session requirements. Follow these instructions for at least a week ahead of the appointment in order to ensure your skin is ready for the procedure.

  • Find a good, hydrating moisturizer and apply it to the area in which you plan to get the new tattoo.

    • If you have a good amount of hair in that area, shave it using a decent shaving cream so that when you apply the moisturizer, it has less of an issue getting to the actual skin.

    • Use sensitive skin-friendly moisturizer without added dyes or fragrances.

    • Avoid steroid creams or ointments.

  • Avoid any activities that might damage the skin in that area.

    • This includes long exposure to the outdoors without proper sunscreen. Even overcast skies can burn skin.

  • Drink plenty of water and be aware of your electrolyte levels.

    • The body needs this in order to maintain proper hydration and cell function before, during, and after the procedure.

AFTERCARE

The aftercare phase is critical for the proper healing and ultimate result of the tattoo.

Shopping list:

  • Hibiclens Antiseptic Skin Cleanser (can be found at most drugstores; use the foam pump if possible)

  • Dye-free, fragrance-free lotion (Aveeno, Lubriderm, etc.)

  • Disposable single-use nitrile gloves

  • Clean paper towels

  • Distilled water

Your bandage should remain in place for 7 days from the time of its application. This initial tattoo healing phase is extremely important. You may shower with the bandage on but do not submerge it in any bath or shared water sources such as hot tubs or pools. If you’re worried about the edges coming up or any potential leaks, you can use either cut pieces of the extra bandage provided for you or skin-safe paper tape to secure those areas.

During the first 24-48 hours after the tattoo you will experience a mixture of plasma and excess pigment weeping into the bandage. This is normal. I understand that this can cause discomfort and you may worry about the bandage leaking or otherwise opening. If it becomes too much but hasn’t opened, you can contact me to have me rebandage it for you. If it opens or leaks at all, you need to remove the bandage and follow the instructions below.

Changing the bandage before 7 days:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water, then dry them with a clean paper towel.

  • Apply nitrile gloves to both hands.

  • Fold a clean paper towel in half or in quarter sections and dampen it with distilled water.

  • Begin removing the bandage by carefully rolling back one of the top corners or the top edge itself so that it slowly comes off. You will want to do this in one-inch increments. Do not rip or tear off the bandage. Be patient with it.

  • Use the damp paper towel to wet and gently clean the area as it becomes exposed to the air. Blot and softly wipe away any fluid as you do this. Do not scrub the fresh tattoo.

  • Once the bandage and excess fluid has been removed, pat the area dry with another clean paper towel.

  • Pump the Hibiclens antiseptic cleanser into your glove and gently clean the fresh tattoo with it. Be sure to coat the entire area so that it can rest for 30 seconds before washing it away with distilled water.

  • Use a clean paper towel to pat the area dry. Do not touch the area to any surface or other skin or you will have to redo the antiseptic process.

  • Peel the paper backing off of the bandage so that the plastic and adhesive film remain. The adhesive film will be the side coming into contact with the freshly tattooed skin.

  • Place the bandage adhesive side down on the fresh tattoo so that an extra 1 to 2 inches of bandage borders the tattooed area. You want the bandage to be able to roll up a small bit around the sides without worrying about it coming up from the tattooed area itself, as this can often happen.

  • Spread the bandage evenly so that it lays completely flat on the skin before removing the plastic backing at the seam. If there is no seam to easily remove the backing with, carefully separate the plastic backing from the adhesive film at a corner.

    • Do not worry too much about any trapped air in the bandage. If it’s close enough to an edge, you can roll/push it out with a gloved hand so that the bandage can remain flat and tight against the skin. These bubbles will usually go away over time. Do not pop or pierce them.

  • Once the plastic backing is removed and the bandage is correctly applied, dispose of any single-use materials and wash your hands with soap and water.

  • Keep the bandage on for however many days are necessary to finish out the original 7-day healing period.

Removing the bandage after 7 days:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with Hibiclens.

  • Pat your hands dry on a clean towel.

  • Slowly remove the bandage by peeling it from one corner. You can use a clean paper towel to absorb any excess fluid if it is present at this time.

  • Using a gentle circular motion, apply the Hibiclens to the tattoo. Ensure the entire tattoo has been properly cleaned before allowing it to dry.

  • After cleansing, apply a small amount of lotion to the tattoo, just enough to make it glossy but not oversaturated. Allow it to breathe and avoid activities that encourage sweat and bacterial transfer.

  • You will need to lotion the tattooed area from this point forward. It’s normal for the skin to be a little dry or even peel a little at this stage but it shouldn’t be anything major.


If you neglect your aftercare, problems can and often will happen. For this reason it is extremely important to follow proper aftercare instructions. Do not compromise your new art or yourself by neglecting this material. Infections can become serious and are preventable if the proper aftercare methods are followed.

Always wear clean, loose clothing in comfortable and clean environments while your new tattoo heals. Do not expose it to sunlight or the outdoors. Allow the skin to heal and become whole again before resuming normal physical activities like exercise.

Do not take baths, swim, or use any shared water sources during the healing process. No soaks or submerging your tattoo at any point. You may shower as normal with the bandage I provide for you but avoid scrubbing the area.

As always, if you have any troubles or concerns following your appointment, please contact me via contact@brightbones.com. 

CONTINUED AFTERCARE

A new tattoo is a lifelong investment. If you want your tattoo to look its best at all times, be prepared to moisturize it 2-3 times a day and use sunscreen (~50 spf) when exposed to the outdoors. All tattoos will age with time and improper upkeep but you can slow that process by following a proper skincare regimen. Do not use abrasive cleansers, exfoliators, or scrubs on tattooed skin.