HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY TATTOO?

Always wash your hands with liquid anti-bacterial soap under warm (90F) water before washing your tattoo. Wash until all plasma and/or residual pigment is removed and is smooth to the touch. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.

DAY 1- Keep bandaged for a minimum of 4 hours or, if circumstances apply, the bandage can be worn overnight. Once the bandage is removed, DO NOT RE-BANDAGE. Wash your tattoo with clean hands immediately after bandage is removed. We recommend you clean your new tattoo with clear unscented Soft Soap. NEVER use bar soap. While washing your tattoo in the shower, you may work your way up to a hot shower, allowing the poors to open up and breathe. Repeat as necessary 3-4 times a day. 

DAY 2-4- Apply a small amount of unscented dye free lotion such as Vanicream, Aveeno, and Curel. DO NOT apply an excessive amount; it’s important to not oversaturate with lotions, allowing your tattoo to breathe. Apply just enough to cover your tattoo and ease any discomfort you might have.

NOTE - An average tattoo takes approximately 2 weeks to heal if properly taken care of. Tattooing is a human endeavor, and because it’s variable conditions are endless, please consider that no tattoo is the same and heal time durations can vary.  For the best results please listen to your artist. NEVER pick or scratch your tattoo, instead slap it or lightly massage it. Do NOT let elastics or fuzzy clothes such a bra straps, underwear, waist bands, socks, sweaters, etc, rest/scratch over your new tattoo. Do NOT soak your healing tattoo in pools, hot tubs, lakes or oceans for at least 2 weeks (showers are ok). Always avoid prolonged exposure to U.V. rays without applying sunblock to your HEALED tattoo. If your tattoo appears to be scabbing more than normal, you may apply Calendula gel/cream to your tattoo to soothe any prolonged itchiness or scabbing.

DERMSHIELD BANDAGE(SANIDERM/SECOND SKIN) - These are clear, breathable, water resistance bandages. We use a latex free brand for sensitive skin, Dermshield. These bandages require less maintenance than the aforementioned steps, however, may not be suitable for all persons or tattoos. Keep this bandage on for 4-5 days if possible. It is normal for blood and fluids to build up under your bandage, causing a less than favorable water balloon-like appearance. Rest assured this is normal and your tattoo is fine. Much of those fluids will absorb back into your skin, helping the healing of your tattoo. In the event that there is a much larger collection of fluids, leak, or your bandage is beginning to come off, you may remove your bandage under some warm water, slowly peeling the bandage back over itself. A second application of this bandage may be applied thereafter, or you may choose to keep the bandage off and keep your tattoo clean and moisturized accordingly. Be sure to clean and dry your tattoo in between applications.

      Consult a physician if, outside the normal limits of healing, you have any concerns that your body art has resulted in complications such as abnormal swelling, illness, fever or allergic reactions. Infection and disease should be reported to the D.E.H. You may also report to your artist any concerns or complications you might have. The rules and regulations governing body art establishments and body artists require that the body artist report these conditions to the Department of Environmental Health within 24 hours of the discovery.

Denver Department of Environmental Health. 200 W 14th Ave. Dept 200 Denver, CO 80204