Tattoo Aftercare — The Studio Tattoos & Art Gallery | Roseville, CA Tattoo and Piercing (2024)

At the end of your appointment

Your tattoo artist will cover your tattoo with a bandage. Leave this covering on for 1 to 4 hours to prevent any bacteria from entering your new tattoo. Once the tattoos’ initial bandage is removed, DO NOT cover it again during the healing process. The tattoo will need to be exposed to air in order to heal.

AFTER 1 - 4 HOURS

With clean hands, remove the bandage and wash gently with warm water and a mild soap. Make sure you remove all traces of blood, ointment and secretions. Wash until the area feels “squeaky clean”. Do not use a washcloth, loofah, or scrubby on your tattoo while it is healing, use only your clean hands, soap, and water. Pat the tattoo dry with a clean soft cloth or paper towel, do not rub it. Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your tattoo, these will dry the tattoo and possibly remove color.

The first 3 - 4 days

We recommend Aquaphor as the healing ointment for your tattoo. Apply a small amount to the tattoo, and rub it in thoroughly, as if you were applying lotion. It should not shine or feel sticky! If it does, you are using too much ointment! Wait five minutes after applying ointment, if you can still feel ointment, blot the excess off with a tissue. Apply the ointment once or twice a day for the first 3 to 4 days, especially if the tattoo feel dry or “tight”. Keeping a light protective layer of moisture will ensure the least amount of scabbing and peeling, thereby reducing any color fade. Make sure your hands are freshly washed before applying ointment.

AFTER 3 - 4 DAYS

After 3 or 4 days of using the Aquaphor ointment, you may notice small specks of color come off as you rub the ointment in. This is healing skin, and an indicator that you should stop using the Aquaphor as often.

Remember:

Do not swim or soak in a hot tub or bath for two weeks after getting your tattoo. Chemicals like chlorine and the bacteria found in most lakes or pools will cause your tattoo to fade or cause an infection. Soaking a healing tattoo will also cause any healing skin to soften and come off too soon and along with it some of the ink as well. Your healing tattoo is an open wound, therefore protecting it while gardening, working with dirty or oily equipment, or handling pets or other animals such as livestock, is highly recommended to prevent infection. If you experience redness, swelling, tenderness at the tattooed area, red streaks going from the procedure area toward the heart, elevated body temperature, or purulent (foul-smelling) drainage from the procedure site you should seek medical help. THESE ARE ALL SIGNS OF INFECTION AND ARE SERIOUS.

Do not tan for at least two weeks after tattooing to allow it time to heal. After it has healed, you may tan (either naturally or at a salon) as long as you apply SPF30 or higher sunblock over the tattoo. UV RAYS WILL FADE YOUR TATTOO! If you expose it to the sun, it WILL fade.

Like any other wound to the skin, your tattoo will itch during the healing process. DO NOT SCRATCH IT. Scratching or picking at a healing tattoo will remove healing skin, thus removing color from the tattoo. You may apply lotion to relieve the itching. Following these simple steps will help ensure that you end up with the best results and minimal complications. If you have any questions or concerns about your aftercare, feel free to call us (916) 783-0303.

SecondSkin

If your artist chooses a medical-grade bandage such as SecondSkin for your aftercare, please read and follow these instructions carefully:

SecondSkin is a medical-grade, transparent,adhesive barrier that protects new tattoos while they are healing. It is latex-free, waterproof, breathable, and hypoallergenic. It is manufactured underquality-controlled conditions that have been CE-marked and FDA-registered.

The first twenty-four hours are a crucial time when it comes to healing tattoos. Because its breathable and waterproof, SecondSkin can be left on during that period. It will protect the tattoo from bacteria and debris, while also helping to save clothes and linens from ink and blood.

  1. Using clean hands lather up plain soap (no fragrance, color, or moisturizer) and water. Wash the tattoo thoroughly, rinse, and pat dry. Do not apply lotion or ointment before applying SecondSkin.

  2. Cut SecondSkin to the desired length and shape. You should account for an extra inch or two on each side of the tattoo to come into contact with un-tattooed, dry skin.

  3. Expose a small section of the sticky side by peeling off the opaque backing that has the “SecondSkin” text and the straight perforation.

  4. Smooth SecondSkin over the tattoo as you peel the backing.

  5. Once applied, remove the supportive backing on the “wave” side.

After 24 hours, remove SecondSkin. Repeat theprocess starting at step one. Leave SecondSkin on for an additional three to six days.

In the first twenty-four hours there may be a build up of blood, ink, and/or plasma underneathSecondSkin. This is completely normal. If you develop an adverse reaction, discontinue use immediately.

Tattoo Aftercare — The Studio Tattoos & Art Gallery | Roseville, CA Tattoo and Piercing (2024)

FAQs

How much are tattoo studio fees? ›

The tattoo cost for a medium to big tattoo design generally starts at S$200 and goes up to S$400.

How long after a tattoo can you shower normally? ›

You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.

Do you tip at a private tattoo studio? ›

This is no different for tattooists.” Patrick Cornolo, owner of Speakeasy Custom Tattoo in Chicago, agrees: “Tipping is pretty normal in tattooing. If you had a good experience and love your tattoo, tipping is appreciated but not expected.”

Can I put Aquaphor on my tattoo the first day? ›

Once the tattoo is dry apply AQUAPHOR healing ointment, made by Eucerin. Apply a thin layer and rub it in, then dab excess off with a clean paper towel. Use the Aquaphor for the first 2-3 days then switch to a regular FRAGRANCE-FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance-free brand. 5.

How big is a $500 tattoo? ›

Hip/Thigh. A standard-size hip or thigh tattoo (about 12 inches in length) will run you about $500 for outline only, or anywhere from $1500 to $2000 for full color.

How big is a $300 tattoo? ›

A palm-sized tattoo usually runs between $200-500, and medium to large tattoos (about 8”) usually range from $300-600. Half sleeves typically start around $1,000 and full sleeves often range from $2,000-$4,000.

Why is my tattoo fading after 3 days? ›

Days 2 to 3

Over the next couple of days, you may notice that your tattoo looks dull and cloudy. No need to panic or start thinking about a touch-up. This happens as your skin heals and new skin starts to form.

Can you sleep with a new tattoo uncovered? ›

A lot of tattoo artists recommend sleeping with the wrap that was put on. Others recommend re-wrapping, or just applying healing ointment and keeping the tattoo clean. The important thing is avoiding infection.

Is vaseline okay for tattoos? ›

What NOT to do? DON'T re-bandage your tattoo, rub, scratch or pick at your new tattoo. DON'T apply alcohol, Neosporin, Vaseline, or petroleum jelly (they can trap dirt and germs and cause infection).

How much tip for $200 tattoo? ›

Tattoo tipping rates

But as a rule of thumb, a 15-20% tip is usually a good place to start. So, if you spent a total of $200 on a tattoo, tipping anywhere from $30 to $40 shows your artist that you appreciate their handiwork.

How much to tip on a $1000 tattoo? ›

So, if you were going to get a $1000 tattoo, you'd probably want to tip at least $200; if you were getting a $500 tattoo, you'd probably tip $100, and so on.

What's a good tip for a $500 tattoo? ›

“Some tip less, and some are very generous.” For instance, you might wonder how much to tip for a $500 tattoo. In this case, tipping anywhere from $75 to $125 would be appropriate. If you're getting smaller art done or maybe a touch-up for $100, tipping anywhere from $15 to $25 fits the bill.

What is a blown out tattoo? ›

Tattoo blowouts occur when a tattoo artist presses too hard when applying ink to the skin. The ink is sent below the top layers of skin where tattoos belong. Below the skin's surface, the ink spreads out in a layer of fat. This creates the blurring associated with a tattoo blowout.

What happens if you overmoisturize a tattoo? ›

What's The Problem with Over-Moisturising Tattoos? Over-moisturising can lead to inflamed tattoos and potentially infection. Excess moisture can clog your skin's pores which prevents it from breathing, something that's important for your skin to heal. This can lead to breakouts on the skin that can damage the tattoo.

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