NIC AND POKE 

I send my clients home with a layer of second-skin derma-bandage. These bandages are waterproof but breathable to beneficial gasses like oxygen. This bandage can stay on for up to 5 days. If your skin is very uncomfortable, red or pulling at the edges, or if you sweat excessively under the bandage, you may want to take it off sooner than that. You may notice blood and/or fluid collecting under the bandage, causing the tattoo to appear blurry or smeared, this is expected and normal and will all wash away after the bandage is removed. Please leave the bandage on for a minimum of 24 hours, the longer it stays on, the better the tattoo will heal overall. 

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When you're ready to remove your second-skin bandage, tug gently at the corners under running water, try to remove it slowly and gently to avoid pulling up any scabs that may have formed or causing unnecessary stress to the area. As soon as the second-skin bandage is removed, begin using an unscented liquid soap twice per day to wash the entire area, and unscented lotion 3-5 times per day to keep the tattoo moist .  Avoid heavy petroleum jelly products (like aquaphor or vaseline) as these are thick skin protectants, rather than moisturizers, meaning they do not soak into the skin but sit on top as a layer preventing the skin from being able to breathe and heal normally. Be sure to wash your hands before touching the tattoo at any time during the healing process.​​

After the second-skin is removed, your tattooed skin will feel a little bumpy and raised, even itchy. This is the 'scab' phase, and is completely normal. Small 'salt and pepper' sized scabs may come loose as you wash and moisturize the tattoo. If large scabs come loose, please moisturize more frequently. Do not scratch the skin, or expose it to any products containing fragrances, dyes, sparkles, alcohols, thickeners, or chemicals. Different reactions may occur, causing poorer healing outcomes (this includes sunscreens! Use clothing to protect from sun!).

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Please avoid heavy physical activity for 48-72 hours after your tattoo appointment. The goal is to not elevate your heart rate/blood pressure, this can push excess blood and ink out through the open skin and lead to a less "crispy" healed result. If you still have your second-skin bandage on when you do return to exercise, be sure to remove it and wash your new tattoo if there is excess sweat trapped under the bandage.

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The tattoo may appear healed within a few days, but the full healing process to the deeper layers of the skin will take 2-4 weeks. During this time it is crucial to keep the skin moisturized, avoid sun exposure, refrain from swimming/soaking and avoid scratching or irritating the skin. The better and longer you care for the skin, the crispier the tattoo will heal :) 

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While very rare and unlikely, keep an eye out for signs of infection (like prolonged swelling, redness, tender to the touch, fever, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, rashes, etc). If you feel you may have an infection, please see your healthcare provider, and follow up with me to let me know if any specific or serious infections are diagnosed. I follow standard OSHA bloodborne pathogen guidelines, as long as the tattoo is properly cared for during healing, there should be no such issues :) If you are a client of mine, feel free to email me with any further questions.

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