• Leave your absorbent bandage on overnight!

  • In the morning, wash your hands with a liquid soap and then wash your unwrapped tattoo very well using just the pads of your hands, remove all of the ointment and any shiny plasma residue with your soap. The cleaner you get the tattoo during this first initial wash, the less it will scab.

  • Blot gently (DO NOT RUB) with a clean towel or washcloth, air dry. 

  • Once dry you can either let it air out and wear loose fitting clothing or apply a second skin bandage.

• Traditional healing:

  • Keep the tattoo clean and away from other people’s hands, pets, and other germs. Wash morning and night, or if it comes into contact with germs and sweat wash accordingly. Wear comfortable clothing that won’t chafe or rub.

  • Apply a light layer of unscented lotion when it FEELS dry, like when it itches or feels tight like a sunburn/flaky. Too much lotion can clog pores or create dermatitis.

  • Keep out of sunlight and do not swim in water until last flakes or scabs are gone, could be up to two weeks.

• Second skin bandage:

  • Apply bandage after your tattoo has air dried from its first initial wash after removing your overnight bandage, making sure your hands are still clean. 

  • Remove white backing, place film over tattoo and when it is secure remove the top layer with the printing. Smooth down the clear bandage firmly. Some air bubbles/wrinkles are ok. Make sure there is a seal around all sides of the tattoo.

  • Leave on up to 1 week. You can shower with the film on but swimming is not recommended until your tattoo is healed.

  • IMPORTANT! If you experience redness in areas under the film that are not tattooed and think you might be having a reaction to the adhesive, remove it and heal traditionally!

  • ALSO IMPORTANT: Removing the second skin film should be like one of those Command strips with the pull tab: Pull slowly parallel to the tattoo and be patient while you stretch the material and it separates. Do this in the shower with soap and warm water and wash tattoo off immediately.  DO NOT RIP OR YANK OFF SECOND SKIN. DOING SO CAN COMPROMISE YOUR TATTOO.

  • Keep out of sunlight. DO NOT ALLOW SWEAT TO COLLECT UNDER SECOND SKIN BANDAGE.

Once healed, the best thing you can do to take care of your tattoo is to apply sunscreen! 

A note on tattoos applied below the elbow or knee: Extreme swelling can occur if you do not rest and elevate after getting tattooed. It’s much easier to prevent than it is to treat so do not schedule any intense activity after your appointment, elevate your appendage above your heart and take ibuprofen. You can also ice the area over the bandage. Eat protein and drink lots of water.

It takes up to 90 days for your skin to fully regenerate so if you see an area that could potentially need a touch up please wait at least 60 days to schedule one, if not 90. Sometimes cloudy or waxy areas are just a buildup of scar tissue that will slough off with time and the ink will come closer to the surface.

Email hello@mortalemblem.com or contact your artist with any questions.