Healing Your Tattoo

Lets set you up for success for healing your new favourite tattoo!!

You just got a new tattoo and now you need to take care of it.

How you take care of your tattoo over the next few weeks will determine its longevity. 

If at any point you have any questions, concerns, wonderings please message me at healingtattoo@littlegoldenowl.com

I want to hear from you and ensure the process is as easy as possible

so do not hesitate or feel like you're bothering me.

  • Dry Healing is the traditional method for healing your tattoo. You wash it 2x a day and it is more work than Wet Healing. 

    Wet Healing has a clear adhesive film over your new tattoo that acts as a barrier so your body doesn't form a scab. You replace the film after 24-48 hours and it is a great way to keep it clean and skip the traditional itchy phase. 

  • It generally comes down to preference and if you have an adhesive allergy.  Also if at any  time you want to switch to the Dry Healing method you can. Your aftercare kit will include everything you need to do the dry healing method. 

    During your appointment we will have discussed both and ultimately there is no wrong answer just so long as you are following one of the methods. Pick the one that works best for you and your body.

  • Until fully healed the tattoo is an open wound and how you take care of it directly impacts how the ink stays in your skin. 

  • Keep it clean!

    Only touch it with clean hands and do not expose it to anything that could make it infected.

When healing your tattoo there are 2 options

Wet Healing

  • Second Skin/Dermasheild/Northern Shield

    This type of healing uses a transparent adhesive barrier film that is waterproof and breathable. It is a great option if you are not allergic to adhesives.  Before you leave your tattoo will have this film applied by the artist as well as a second piece to take home with you.

    • After 12 - 48 hours you will need to change the film. If you have a large amount of fluid build up you will need to replace it sooner. This is common for tattoos with lots of skin coverage like full colour tattoos. 

    • After 3 - 5 days the replacement piece of adhesive film needs to be removed.

    • Should the film leak it needs to be removed and re-applied.

    • If you notice redness around the outer edges of the bandage, remove immediately. It may signal that your skin is sensitive to adhesives. Proceed to heal your tattoo with the traditional method until fully healed.

    1. With freshly cleaned hands, pull the film off along the skin, working in an outward pattern till it comes off. Do not remove in a hot or warm shower, as this will soften the adhesive and can cause it to remain on the skin after removal. Do not lift up or back with the film as this can damage the tattoo underneath and is much more painful. 

    2. Once the film is off, wash the tattoo gently with the cleanser provided in your aftercare kit or clear antibacterial soap and rinse with warm/hot water. Be careful to not allow the water stream to hit the tattoo but only have the water run over it from above. 

    3. After the shower pat your tattoo gently dry with a new paper towel or air dry. 

  • Remove the paper backing from one edge and affix the adhesive directly to the dry, clean skin. Using this anchor point, peel the remaining paper baking off and press the entire film firmly to the skin. Once the film is affixed to the skin, you may peel the top transparent, plastic layer off in an outwards, downward fashion. Smooth out the applied film firmly to ensure a full contact adhesion.

    • if the tattoo still has a scab, start following the dry healing method until the scab comes off on its own. 

    • If the tattoo is fully healed (it has new shiny skin and no scab) you can begin to resume your normal activities. 

    • If the tattoo still has a scab, do not scrub at it. 

    • If the tattoo is fully healed you can use baby oil or similar to gently remove the residue. 

Dry Healing

  • This is the traditional way of healing a tattoo. It is caring for your tattoo by regularly washing and letting it heal exposed to the air.

  • Your new tattoo will have an ointment put on then a non adhesive bandage before you leave the shop. Your aftercare package will include the ointment we use at the shop before you leave as well.

  • Take your bandage off the next morning while in the shower by saturating the bandage with warm water and slowly peeling it back.

    1. Wash the tattoo gently with the soap cleanser in your aftercare package or clear antibacterial soap and rinse with warm/hot water. Be careful to not allow the water stream to hit the tattoo but only have the water run over it from above. 

    2. After the shower pat your tattoo gently dry with a new paper towel or air dry.  

    3. Apply a thin layer of water-based unscented ointment to your new tattoo.

    4. Repeat steps 2- 4 in the morning and evening until the scabs have fallen off your tattoo and it is fully healed (7 - 14 days approx).

More Important Information

  • You are taking care of the scab (dried blood) on top of the tattoo. The scab is holding in the ink until the new skin heals overtop. You have an open wound until your tattoo heals so it is very important that you keep it as clean as possible.

    • Try not to consume any type of alcohol for at least 48 hours after your tattoo treatment. This will thin your blood and cause more ink to bleed out and have less ink stay in your skin.

    • Do not soak the tattoo (in a bath tub, hot tub, pool, lake, ocean, body of water, etc) this will cause the scab to come off prematurely and cause the ink to fall out. There is also a higher chance of picking up an infection.

    • Do not over saturate the scab with moisturizer or ointment as this will also cause the scab to come off prematurely and cause the ink to fall out. 

    • Do not pick at scabs or dried skin while the tattoo is healing. If you do, you may pull the color out.

    • Do not put any oil based products on the scab like sunscreen or petroleum products. These do not allow the tattoo to breathe and can trap bacteria in the wound. 

    • Stay away from saunas, swimming pools, gyms, tanning salons and long periods of direct sunlight exposure until your new tattoo is completely healed (approx 6 - 8 weeks). These things may cause inflammation or damage to the new tattoo.

    • After your tattoo has completely healed, apply a high SPF sun block to the tattoo to prevent fading.

    • Come in for a touch up appointment after 4-6 weeks to ensure the artwork is perfected.

    • Starting on day 3 your tattoo may look cloudy or like the ink has fallen out. This is normal! The damaged upper layers of skin that are above the ink are regenerating. So this means the ink isn't as easy to see. But once the tattoo is fully healed your skin's normal translucency will return and show off the beautiful ink beneath. 

    • Should you feel that the area has been exposed to harmful bacteria or contracted an infection, seek professional medical attention.

  • Send me a email at healingtattoo@littlegoldenowl.com with any questions and I will get back to you asap.