TATTOO
AFTERCARE

After your tattoo has been cleaned, the artist will wrap your new piece in a DERMAL WRAP which is a self-adhering wrap. The brand used most often at the Black Bison Tattoo Studio is called RECOVERY, however, there are other dermal wrap brands that may be used such as Second Skin, Tegaderm, Saniderm, View Guard, and more. After the Dermal wrap is applied, leave the wrap on for 4 to 6 days, allowing the natural body fluid to accumulate in the wrap. Do NOT drain fluid from the dermal wrap or remove it. This natural fluid is called plasma and is rich in white blood cells that fight off infection and trigger the body’s immune response and healing. Allowing the tattoo to sit in the plasma for 4 to 6 days can benefit the healing and outcome of the piece.

 

After the 4 to 6 days, you will remove the dermal wrap and we highly recommend you do this in the shower. Once the wrap is removed and with clean hands, you will clean your tattoo with antibacterial soap and hot water. Then you will pat dry your tattoo with a disposable paper towel or air dry. Do NOT vigorously rub during cleaning or drying. After you have allowed your tattoo to dry for 20 minutes, apply artist provided ointment,
skin grade coconut oil, natural salve, or unscented Lubriderm. You will clean your tattoo as described above, twice a day for 1 1⁄2 to 2 weeks.
If your dermal wrap loses its adhesiveness and separates from the skin at the edges, becomes dry under wrap, or starts to leak fluid, please reach out to your artist so they can advise you on how to proceed. While it is most ideal if the dermal wrap stays on, it is not an emergent situation if it does separate or come off. Reach out to your artist and clean your tattoo as described above. If you have any other concerns regarding your wrap or the healing process, please do not hesitate to reach out to your artist.

In some cases, the artist may choose to use the Classic Healing Method on your tattoo. This may be due to skin type or potential for an allergic reaction to the dermal wrap or if your dermal wrap is removed prematurely. If using the Classic Method, the artist will wrap your tattoo in plastic wrap and the next morning you will remove the plastic wrap in the shower.

Once the wrap is removed and with clean hands, you will clean your tattoo with antibacterial soap and hot water. Then you will pat dry your tattoo with a disposable paper towel or air dry. Do NOT vigorously rub during cleaning or drying. After you have allowed your tattoo to dry for 20 minutes, apply artist provided ointment, skin grade coconut oil, natural salve, or unscented lubriderm. You will clean your tattoo as described above, twice a day for 1 1⁄2 to 2 weeks.​

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​Do NOT do the following during your healing process:

• Do not leave wrap on longer than instructed

• Do not let pets touch or lick tattoo

• Do not let children (or adults) touch your tattoo

• Do not pick at your tattoo

• It will be evident if you do so

• At the expense of the client, the artist will need to repair the piece before beginning new work

• Do not share natural salve with anyone, including family members

• Do not use Aquaphor or any petroleum-based salve or product on your tattoo

  • ​These products interrupt the healing process by filling in the pores and not allowing your tattoo to “breathe”. This can lead to ingrown hairs and/or ink extraction from the pores. This appears like lighter ink where there is a hair follicle.

• ​​Do not listen to your friends or other advice on how to heal your tattoo

• Do not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight

  • ​Wait at least 2 weeks before apply sunscreen to tattoo

• ​Do not swim for at least 2 weeks

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Do the following during your healing process:

• Use disposable products for cleaning and drying your tattoo

• Only touch your tattoo with clean hands

• Use skin grade coconut oil or natural salve

• Use antibacterial soap

• Listen to the instructions your artist gives you