Leave that bandage alone! It is there to ensure that no air-borne bacteria enter through your new tattoo. Your new tattoo is as awesome as it looks and as much as you want to show it off, it is a potential breeding ground for bacteria and infection, so leave that bondage on for a minimum of an hour. Once the hour has passed you can remove the bandage. Using lukewarm water and a mild antibacterial or antimicrobial soap, gently wash away any ointment, blood, and/or plasma. Do not use a washcloth or any abrasive material, your hand is the best tool in this case to completely clean the area.

If your tattoo feels slimy or slippery you have probably been oozing plasma. Not the neon Ghost Busters Plasma either. Gently remove as much of the plasma as possible because when it dries it creates scabs. When plasma dries scabs pull the ink out of your skin creating a gap in the color resulting in what we call Holidays. Next, pat (do not rub) the area with a clean cloth or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow up with a light application of either A & D Ointment or other professional tattoo after care products. Continue this cleaning-and-ointment process 4-5 times a day for at least one week, however your tattoo may require you to continue this process until your tattoo is completely healed and/or as needed.

DO NOT USE NEOSPORIN, VASELINE, OR ANY OF THEIR GENERIC EQUIVILENTS.

Yes, you can and absolutely should shower with a new tattoo, however, do not submerge it in water. This means no baths, pools, hot tubs, or oceans for 2-3 weeks. Trust us on this one to avoid serious infection or damage to your new tattoo.

After your tattoo is healed you must protect it from the sun. We recommend using at least 30 SPF to prevent fading and damage caused by UV rays.

If your artist uses a Saniderm/Second Skin bandage leave it on for 7 days. To remove simply wet the bandage in the shower and gently peel away starting in one corner.