Aftercare

Caring for Your New Tattoo

If you’ve been tattooed by me, chances are I’ve sent you home with Recovery Derm Shield on your fresh tattoo. This is a clear, breathable, waterproof, and hypoallergenic film that protects your tattoo during the initial healing stage. You may have also heard it called Tegaderm, Saniderm, or simply second skin — it’s all essentially the same type of bandage.

Wearing the Derm Shield

Keep the Derm Shield on for 3 days.

  • If you received a color tattoo or heavy blackwork, I may send you home with an extra sheet to change the bandage after the first 24 hours.

You might notice some liquid build-up inside the bandage — that’s totally normal. It’s just a mix of blood, plasma, and ink being pushed out of the skin — your body’s immune system doing its thing.

When it’s time to remove the film, I recommend doing so in a warm shower. The adhesive will be pretty strong, so steam and water can help loosen it up. Peel slowly and gently.

If you notice a “ghost image” of your tattoo on the adhesive side — don’t worry. That’s just dead skin cells and some pigment that naturally shed during the healing process.

Cleaning & Moisturizing (Days 3–14)

Wash your tattoo twice a day with warm water and unscented, antibacterial liquid soap. I recommend Dial Gold liquid hand soap.

  • Do not use bar soap — it can harbor bacteria.

  • Wash gently with clean hands — no loofahs, no scrubbing.

  1. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Avoid fabric towels which can hold bacteria and leave behind fibers.

  2. Let the tattoo air dry for 5 minutes before applying ointment.

  3. For days 3–7, apply a very thin layer of Tattoo Goo Healing Balm or a recommended healing ointment twice a day after washing.

Starting around day 7, switch to a white, unscented lotion like Lubriderm, Aveeno, Eucerin, or Curel. Continue washing and moisturizing morning and night for another week.

What’s Normal

Slight redness or tenderness the first few days

  • Light flaking or peeling around day 4–7

  • Mild itching as the skin heals

With Derm Shield, you shouldn’t experience heavy scabbing — just light flakiness. Please do not pick or scratch at any flakes. Let them fall off naturally to avoid pulling pigment from your healing tattoo.

What to Avoid (For at least 2 weeks)

Swimming (pools, oceans, hot tubs, etc.)

  • Baths or soaking in water

  • Sun exposure or tanning

  • Shaving over the tattooed area

  • High-contact gym equipment or intense workouts over the area

Your tattoo is an open wound, and exposure to bacteria, sweat, chemicals, and friction can delay healing or cause irritation.

Also, if you have pets, be mindful. If your dog or cat licks, scratches, or rubs against your fresh tattoo, wash it immediately with warm water and soap.

When to Reach Out

If anything feels off — excessive redness, swelling, unusual discharge, or you just have a gut feeling that something’s not right — please reach out. Healing can look a little different for everyone, and I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.

jovanjanelle.tattoo@gmail.com

Thank you for trusting me with your skin. I can’t wait to see your tattoo once it’s fully healed.