TATTOO AFTERCARE

If you are unsure of anything related to your aftercare please email info@deathwishtattoo.com for guidance.

Leave your bandage in place until tomorrow morning unless otherwise instructed. The bandage may fill with fluid and plasma. This is normal. If this is the case in the morning, you will need to remove the bandage. It is not recommended to leave a fluid-filled bandage on. If you develop no plasma and the bandage is completely dry and securely stuck to your skin, it is recommended to leave it in place for 2-4 days. If you are unsure please email a clear photo of the bandage for further instruction.

When it is time to remove the bandage, it is recommended that you do it in the shower. It can be messy and it needs a good, thorough cleansing. The running water also helps with sensitivity during removal. Have a clean body towel or Bounty paper towels ready to dry with.

With washed hands, begin at a corner of the bandage. Pull parallel to your skin. Continue around the perimeter of the tattoo, towards the middle, until it comes off. Do not try to rip it off like a wax strip.

Using only your clean fingers and an unscented or antibacterial soap (discuss recommended products with your artist), lather well and wash off all the plasma, blood and ink from the tattoo. You want this initial wash to be thorough. It is crucial. You may shower every day during healing, but do not use cloth or loofahs on your tattoo, only your clean hands for washing. In addition to this you will need to wait until it is fully healed to; soak in a bath, pool or hot tub; shave over top of it; or use scented products or sunscreen on it.

Gently pat the tattoo dry before the rest of your body with your clean towel or Bounty paper towels.

You do not need lotion at all until it feels tight, dry and itchy. ONLY use unscented body lotion (discuss recommended products with your artist) on your tattoo, 2-3 times a day and in very sparing amounts, you don't want to see any excess. If you do, dab it off. Less is more.

Keep clothing over the tattoo, loose, breathable and if possible made with a high cotton content.

It is the most damaging thing you can do during aftercare. If it gets so itchy that you can't handle it, slap it or lotion it. Picking will remove pieces of the tattoo and touch ups are not covered for self-inflicted damages. It will flake very similar to a sunburn - this is normal. Allow the flakes to fall off naturally. 

No direct sun exposure on your fresh tattoo until it is FULLY HEALED and you can apply sunscreen to it. It is recommended that you continue to apply sunscreen to your healed tattoo during sun exposure, even if you've had it for a long time, to prevent long term pigment loss.

Your tattoo will take 2-4 weeks to heal.

Please follow this care sheet exactly and get in touch for any questions you may have regarding it. 

Thank you for choosing Death Wish for your tattoo!