Aftercare
How your tattoo heals is half the result. Follow this plan from the day you leave the chair until it's fully settled — about four weeks.
- Day 0Wrap #1 on
- Day 1Swap to wrap #2
- Day 8Wrap #2 off
- Days 8–28Lotion 2–3× a day
The five-step plan
Day 0 — First wrap
Your first Derm Shield wrap goes on in the studio. Fluid and ink pooling underneath is normal healing.
Day 1 — Swap the wrap
Take off the first wrap, clean the tattoo thoroughly, and put on the second wrap (steps below).
Days 1–8 — Leave it on
Keep the second wrap on for up to seven days, showers included.
Day 8 — Wrap off
Remove the wrap, wash gently, and start moisturizing with an unscented lotion like Lubriderm.
Weeks 2–4 — Let it settle
Keep moisturizing lightly. Peeling and itching are normal as it heals.
Day 1 wrap swap
- Wash your hands first.
- Soften the adhesive under warm running water.
- Peel low and slow — pull the film along the skin, not up and away from it.
- Use fragrance-free antibacterial liquid soap.
- No bar soap, loofahs or washcloths.
- Wash off all plasma, ink and soap residue.
- Pat completely dry with paper towels only.
- Peel the backing without touching the adhesive.
- Lay it from the center outward with a one-inch overlap past the tattoo.
- Smooth from the middle to the edges to push out air bubbles.
- Don't stretch the film.
Normal — don't worry
- Ink-colored fluid pooling under the wrap, especially days 0–1
- A cloudy or milky look through the wrap
- Redness, warmth and mild swelling for 2–3 days
- Tightness or tenderness, like a sunburn
Take the wrap off early if
- Fluid is leaking out of the edges
- An edge has lifted and the tattoo is exposed
- You get small red bumps, blisters or an itchy rash (possible reaction to the adhesive)
Then wash, let it breathe, and text Jesus for what to do next.
Lotion phase — week 2 on
Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion 2–3 times a day. Less is more — your skin needs to breathe. Keep washing and moisturizing until the flaking stops.
Do
- Shower normally
- Wear loose, clean clothing
- Sleep on clean sheets
- Keep it out of the sun while it heals
- Use SPF 30+ on it for life once healed
Don't
- Pick, peel or scratch flaking skin
- Soak it — no pools, hot tubs, baths, lakes or ocean
- Tan or sunbathe
- Use scented lotion, alcohol or peroxide
- Work that area hard at the gym for the first few days
See a doctor if you notice
- Redness that keeps spreading past the tattoo, or red streaks
- Swelling, heat or pain that gets worse after day 3
- Yellow or green discharge with a bad smell
- Fever, chills, or feeling sick overall
- Hard, raised, bumpy skin or open sores
Call 911 for trouble breathing, hives spreading across your body, or swelling in your face or throat.
Touch-ups
Touch-ups are free within one year of your session when this aftercare was followed. Text a photo of the healed area and we'll set a short session.
Questions while healing?
Text clear, natural-light photos and what day of healing you're on to (951) 358-9373. No question is too small.
Text Jesus