Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

We’ve done everything we can to ensure you received a perfect tattoo, and now the rest is up to you!

How well you take care of your new tattoo in the first two weeks dictates how it will look for the rest of your life, so follow these steps to solidify a beautiful healed tattoo that will look great until the end of time.

It will normally take 2-4 weeks for your tattoo to completely heal, but feel free to reach out if you have any questions along the way! You can call us at (631) 481-3786, email us at bluehoneymoontattoo@gmail.com, or swing by the shop during business hours. Thank you for getting tattooed at Blue Honeymoon!

Caring For Your New Tattoo

Your new tattoo should remain bandaged for at least 2-3 hours, and may be left on overnight if it feels comfortable and secure.
Once you remove the bandage, immediately wash the tattoo using clean hands, warm water and unscented antibacterial soap out of a pump bottle. We recommend Orange Dial, but any liquid soap without fragrance, beads, or scrubs can work as well.
Gently clean the tattoo in a circular motion until all ointment, blood, and lymphatic fluid is removed. Then, pat dry the tattoo with a clean paper towel and apply a thin layer of Aquaphor with clean hands.
There are also plenty of tattoo-specific aftercare ointments you can seek out, including Ink-Eez, Hustle Butter, Tiger Spit, and Mad Rabbit. Amazon carries all of these brands, or you can purchase them directly from their respective websites.
Use a thin layer of Aquaphor or your preferred aftercare ointment to moisturize your tattoo for the first 2-3 days, then switch to a regular fragrance-free lotion for roughly 2 weeks. Your tattoo should NEVER dry out during the healing process.
Once a day in the shower is typically enough cleaning for any new tattoo. Avoid using a loofah or washcloth until your tattoo is fully healed.
Your tattoo will begin to shed and become flaky after the first few days. This is perfectly normal and it will subside on its own. Do not pick the flakes or scratch at your tattoo; keep it moisturized and it will eventually heal.
Avoid saunas and do not swim or soak in bathtubs, pools, jacuzzis, the ocean, etc. for at least 3 weeks. Avoid exposing your new tattoo to direct sunlight for one month.
Exercising is fine as long as you wash the tattoo after your workout and don't lean/lay on equipment.

"Second Skin" Method

"Second skin" refers to a sterile, waterproof, and breathable wet bandage that provides a germ-proof barrier to protect your new tattoo. While Blue Honeymoon does not provide or apply any second skin bandages such as Tegaderm, Saniderm, or Recovery Derm Shield, we'll gladly walk you through how to apply it yourself!

Please be cautious of any allergies you may have to adhesives before trying this method!

We've found that second skin works best when applied the day after getting tattooed, although you can apply it as early as immediately after your appointment. If you are applying it the next day, make sure you follow the first two steps of the Traditional Method listed on the top of this page.
Before applying your bandage, make sure to wash the tattoo using clean hands, warm water and unscented antibacterial soap out of a pump bottle.
Cut the second skin sheet to roughly 1-2 inches larger on each side than the size of your tattoo. If you are purchasing individual bandages, make sure you buy ones that are large enough to account for this. You will want to make sure your tattoo is fully covered by the bandage!
Remove the paper backing and evenly smooth the bandage over your tattoo, taking great care to avoid any bubbles from forming.
Leave the bandage on for at least 3-4 days, and up to one week if it's still secure after that. You are free to shower as regular while wearing this bandage.
It’s normal to have blood and fluid visible under the bandage. This will eventually dry up and be absorbed by the second skin, which may cause your tattoo to look dry/"cracked" from an outside view. Be rest assured that your tattoo is perfectly safe underneath the bandage; how your bandage looks from the outside is not how the tattoo itself looks underneath.
If at any point the bandage leaks or water gets underneath, remove it and care for your tattoo with the traditional method listed above.
When you’re ready to remove your second skin, slowly and carefully peel it off your skin. After removing the bandage, gently rub off any excess adhesive and plasma from your skin by rinsing the tattoo with warm water and liquid antibacterial soap. Doing this in a hot shower softens the adhesive and makes removing the bandage a bit easier.
Pat dry your tattoo with a clean paper towel. You may apply a thin layer of unscented lotion if your tattoo is dry, tight, or itchy.
While second skin is waterproof, try to avoid swimming or submerging the tattooed area in water until your tattoo is completely healed just in case there are any exposed areas of the bandage.