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TATTOO AFTERCARE

TATTOO PREP GUIDE 

"Prepare Your Body & Mind for a Masterpiece"

Getting a tattoo is not just about art — it’s a lifelong investment in your skin, body, and story.

Whether you’re receiving traditional Polynesian blackwork or a custom legacy piece, preparing your mind and body is the first step toward healing with power, balance, and clarity.

🔹 1. PHYSICAL PREP – ONE WEEK BEFORE

Start preparing your skin early.
✅ Moisturize daily with a fragrance-free lotion
✅ Stay hydrated — drink at least 2–3 liters of water per day
✅ Get 7–8 hours of sleep per night
✅ Eat healthy meals with clean carbs, protein, and vitamins
✅ Avoid sunburns, tanning beds, or chemical peels on the area


Let me know if you have any of the following:

  • Allergies (topical or medical)

  • Eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin

  • History of keloid scarring

  • Immune conditions or healing complications

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🔹 2. DAY BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
DO:

  • Eat a solid meal

  • Rest well

  • Clean your skin but don’t apply lotions, oils, or perfumes

DO NOT:

  • Drink alcohol (24–48 hrs prior)

  • Take blood-thinning meds unless prescribed

  • Come in dehydrated, hungry, or sleep-deprived

  • Work out right before your session


🔹 3. DAY OF TATTOO – WHAT TO BRING

✔️ Water & healthy snacks
✔️ Headphones / calming music
✔️ Loose, comfy clothes (not white)
✔️ A blanket or hoodie for longer sessions
✔️ An open mind — your story is being carved in time

🩸 MEDICAL NOTE: BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN SAFETY
I have been trained and certified in Bloodborne Pathogens since 2006 (California + nationwide) and have safely tattooed 6 HIV/AIDS-positive clients with strict medical protocol and universal precautions. My tattoo environment meets the highest health & safety standards for all skin types and immune conditions.

💧 TATTOO AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS

"Respect the Healing. Honor the Journey."
Your tattoo is a fresh wound — and your body is about to do the sacred work of healing.

🔹 1. FIRST 24–48 HOURS

  • Remove bandage after 2–4 hours (or as directed)

  • Hand wash,Clean gently with lukewarm water and shower soap or tattoo-safe antibacterial soap.

  • Pat dry with a clean paper towel (never rub)

  • Apply a thin layer of:

    • Aquaphor Healing Ointment

    • CeraVe Healing Ointment

    • Ego QV or Cetaphil (for sensitive skin)

    • Bepanthen Ointment 


Note on Plasma and Scabbing: 🩸

Your body releases plasma and dry blood after tattooing. If left untreated, it hardens into thick scabs.
👉 Clean 2–3 times daily in the first 2 days to remove dry plasma buildup.
👉 Thick scabs = uneven healing, color loss, and risk of infection. Keep the area clean but don’t over-wash.


🔹 2. DAYS 3–10: MOISTURIZE DAILY

Switch to a fragrance-free lotion like:

  • Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

  • Lubriderm Advanced Therapy

  • Curel Ultra Healing

  • Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

  • Eucerin Advanced Repair


Apply 2–3 times a day. Keep skin hydrated, not wet. Never scratch or pick peeling skin.


🔹 3. SEASONAL & CLIMATE-BASED AFTERCARE

🌞 SUMMER (Hot, Humid, Dry)

  • Avoid direct sun, pools, beaches, saunas

  • Use SPF 50+ only after tattoo is fully healed

  • Use breathable clothing, and hydrate more often


❄️ WINTER (Cold, Dry, Windy)

  • Cold weather dries skin faster — moisturize more frequently

  • Use a thicker cream or balm (CeraVe or QV Cream)

  • Avoid dry heaters & harsh wool fabrics touching the tattoo

🌦️ All Seasons

  • Keep area clean, protected, and moisturized

  • Avoid tight or scratchy clothing

  • Don’t submerge tattoo until it’s fully healed (2–3 weeks minimum)


🔹 4. ITCHING, FLAKING, OR PEELING?
Normal — but don’t scratch it.

  • Gently tap or apply extra lotion

  • For extreme itching: Use a cold compress or take an antihistamine (Claratyne or Zyrtec)


🔹 5. LONG-TERM CARE FOR A LIFETIME TATTOO
Your tattoo is forever. So is your responsibility to care for it.

  • Always wear sunblock SPF 50+ outdoors

  • Stay hydrated — it helps maintain skin elasticity

  • Keep it moisturized, even years later

  • Avoid heavy weight loss/gain that may stretch the skin


🚨 WATCH FOR SIGNS OF INFECTION
⚠️ If you experience:

  • Excessive swelling, redness, or heat

  • Yellow/green pus or foul odor

  • Fever or chills

📞 Contact your doctor immediately.

🔱 IN CLOSING
Every tattoo session is sacred — it’s a transfer of energy, story, and legacy.
Whether you live in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Texas, Chicago, or beyond — respect the healing, listen to your body, and trust the process.
Your art deserves the same level of care you give your mind, spirit, and ancestors.

 

COCONUT OIL TATTOO AFTERCARE

For the first day or two, use a petroleum-based ointment like Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced  Therapy, CeraVe Healing Ointment, to help the tattoo heal.
Cosmetic grade petroleum jelly is non comedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores and cause infection. But just apply a thin layer.
Putting  on too thick of a layer won’t allow your skin to breathe. 
After about two days, you can switch to a regular moisturizer, such as: 

• Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Lotion  
• Aveeno Hydration Moisturizing Lotion  
• Curel Ultra Healing Intensive Lotion  
• Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion 
• L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream 

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s fragrance-free and doesn’t contain additives, such as colored dye, that  could dry out your skin. 


When do I start applying tattoo lotion?
When your tattoo bandage is first removed it’s best  to use a tattoo soap and warm water to clean it,  however some tattooists recommend an  antimicrobial ointment.
After 3 days is generally the  best time to start incorporating tattoo lotion into  your aftercare routine. 


Remember, even after applying lotion you could  have the type of body that wants to scab regardless.
No matter what you do, you simply  won’t be able to prevent it, so stay the course and  keep your skin supple and moisturized.

Can you use coconut oil for tattoo aftercare? 

Polynesian people have long used coconut oil on their tattoos.
They apply it after the tattoo heals to make  the design shine. 
Some websites claim that coconut oil keeps the skin under your tattoo moist and protects against infection. 


Yet there’s no scientific evidence that it works.
Check with your doctor before putting coconut oil or any other  unproven products on your tattoo. 

Potential side effects and complications 
For the first few days after you get your tattoo, your skin may be red, itchy, and sore.
You may notice excess  ink, along with blood and fluid, leaking from your skin. This is normal. 
If you begin experiencing symptoms of any of the following complications, see your doctor: Infection
A tattoo that isn’t properly cared for can get infected. Infected skin will be red, warm, and painful. It may also  leak pus. 
If the equipment or ink your artist used was contaminated, you could get a blood-borne infection such as  hepatitis B or hepatitis C, tetanus, or HIV.
There have also been reports of other infections, like  non-tuberculous mycobacterial skin infections, being transmitted through tattoos.

Allergic reaction 

If you’re sensitive to the ink your artist used, you may develop a red, itchy skin reaction at the site. Red,  green, yellow, and blue dyes are the most likely to cause a reaction. 
Scarring 
Damage from the needle, or from picking at the tattoo, can cause your body to produce scar tissue. Scars  can be permanent. 

Long-term tattoo aftercare tips 
Once your tattoo has healed, you move into maintenance mode. Though you don’t have to specifically care  for it after three or four months, there are things you can do to prevent the ink from degrading. You should 
• Keep it clean. Wash your skin daily with a gentle, unscented soap. 
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin moisturized. 
• Watch what you wear. Wear SPF clothing so the sun won’t fade your tattoo. Avoid scratchy fabrics,  such as wool, which can damage the art. 
• Avoid excess weight gain or loss. You could stretch out or distort the tattoo. 

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What do I do when my tattoo itches?
If you are experiencing intense itching, there are a  few things you can do to relieve it.
You can try a  different tattoo aftercare lotion or balm. 
You can also take an over the counter  antihistamine to help reduce skin irritation, swelling  and redness.

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Tattoo Aftercare:

1. Antimicrobial Aftercare Lotion:
* Fresh tattoos are essentially open wounds, making them highly susceptible to infection. Coconut oil is known for its natural antimicrobial properties, primarily due to its high levels of lauric acid, a compound effective against microbes. Additionally, it contains capric and caprylic acids, which further reduce the risk of infection, ensuring the tattooed skin heals properly.


2. Quality Moisturizer:
* Coconut oil's high fat content makes it an excellent moisturizer. These fatty acids protect sensitive skin and retain moisture, preventing fresh tattoos from drying out and becoming flaky. It is also enriched with Vitamin E, a super-hydrator, making it beneficial for chronically dry skin and conditions like eczema.


3. Anti-Inflammatory:
* Coconut oil's natural anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation during the healing phase. The proteins in coconut oil promote natural healing of damaged tissue, increasing antioxidants and improving overall skin health. Its naturally occurring collagen aids in reducing healing time and enhancing skin health.


4. Hypo-Allergenic:
* For those with specific allergies, traditional tattoo aftercare creams might contain artificial compounds that cause reactions. Coconut oil, being all-natural, is safe for sensitive skin and those with common skin allergies. It can be applied as an unscented lotion, ointment, or combined with shea butter.


5. Vegan-Friendly Healing Tattoo Salve:
* Organic and virgin coconut oils are popular in the vegan-friendly tattoo aftercare market, often sold as unedited, 100% vegan, and organic moisturizers. Coconut oil is an all-natural option, suitable for sensitive skin and those with allergies to artificial compounds.
How to Apply Coconut Oil to a Fresh Tattoo:


1. Patch Test:
* Despite the low risk of allergic reactions, start with a small test area. Apply a small amount of coconut oil to the area and let it sit for 24 hours. If no adverse effects occur, it is safe to use as an aftercare cream.


2. Application:
* Clean the tattooed area with antibacterial soap and pat dry with a clean paper towel.
* Apply a small amount of coconut oil, adding more as needed. Virgin coconut oil can be quite potent, so it’s better to start with a little and apply more if necessary to avoid an oily mess.
* Organic coconut oil can be applied as often as needed without adverse effects.
* Depending on the size of the tattoo, a bandage might not be necessary.
By following these guidelines, coconut oil can provide effective, natural aftercare for tattoos, promoting healing while preventing infection and maintaining skin moisture.

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