Now that you’ve left the parlor, it’s your job to maintain the healing of your beautiful new piece. 

Each and every tattoo will go through a healing process, one that typically takes about 2-4 weeks time. Some collectors out there are blessed with forgiving skin, and their tattoos will heal with minimal upkeep and attention. Others are less fortunate, and their new tattoo will need to be kept under a close eye to ensure a proper healing. The first week of healing is critical to how your tattoo will look for the rest of its life, so let’s take a look at the proper way to care for your new permanent accessory.

Keep the bandage on for a minimum of two hours. After removing your bandage, you should gently cleanse your new tattoo with an antibacterial, fragrance free soap (we like Dr. Bronner’s Hemp Baby Unscented, Pure-Castile Soap) & hot water. The hot water may cause temporary mild stinging, but will aid in opening pores for maximum cleansing. For larger scale pieces, you will want to opt for a shower instead of a bath during this time. When you exit the shower be certain not to rub your tattoo with a towel, let it dry on it’s own.  Keeping your tattoo clean is Rule #1 and washing a few times daily will avoid a potential infection.

Your new tattoo needs to breathe to promote the healing process — which is why most professional tattooers will recommend lotions, butters, or natural oils free of synthetic chemicals, ointments and fragrances that often clog and suffocate the pores and act as irritants to broken skin. The more organic & natural, the better for your tattoo, which brings us to our personal favorite healing method…

Coconut oil for the win.

Naturally antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and free of synthetic chemicals (unlike most ingredients found on drugstore shelves) coconut oil has become an increasingly popular choice of aftercare for all skin types, especially those with hyper-sensitive skin. When applied, coconut oil forms a layer which aids in the protection from external bacteria, fungi, parasites, and dust. Its natural lipids speed up the healing process by repairing tissues damaged by the process of tattooing.

In the market for coconut oil — there is a specific kind you want to look for. Organic, unrefined, Non-GMO, virgin or extra-virgin.  It’s quite a mouthful — but easily found in most grocery and health food stores. Unrefined, virgin coconut oil is superior to the refined type as it is the most natural and nutrient dense, free from heat and chemical processing. Organic and GMO-free, because pesticides and genetically modified foods suck.

The process of tattooing impedes our skin’s natural production of oil, which is why it is very important to moisturize your new tattoo regularly.  There’s not an exact science to the amount of times you should be applying your aftercare, that said… it’s best to listen to your body. Whenever your tattoo is feeling particularly parched, or itchy — you can rub on a small amount. Keep in mind that coconut oil will take a bit longer to absorb, and a little goes a long way.

Now that you’ve left the parlor, it’s your job to maintain the healing of your beautiful new piece. 

Each and every tattoo will go through a healing process, one that typically takes about 2-4 weeks time. Some collectors out there are blessed with forgiving skin, and their tattoos will heal with minimal upkeep and attention. Others are less fortunate, and their new tattoo will need to be kept under a close eye to ensure a proper healing. The first week of healing is critical to how your tattoo will look for the rest of its life, so let’s take a look at the proper way to care for your new permanent accessory.

Keep the bandage on for a minimum of two hours. After removing your bandage, you should gently cleanse your new tattoo with an antibacterial, fragrance free soap (we like Dr. Bronner’s Hemp Baby Unscented, Pure-Castile Soap) & hot water. The hot water may cause temporary mild stinging, but will aid in opening pores for maximum cleansing. For larger scale pieces, you will want to opt for a shower instead of a bath during this time. When you exit the shower be certain not to rub your tattoo with a towel, let it dry on it’s own.  Keeping your tattoo clean is Rule #1 and washing a few times daily will avoid a potential infection.

Your new tattoo needs to breathe to promote the healing process — which is why most professional tattooers will recommend lotions, butters, or natural oils free of synthetic chemicals, ointments and fragrances that often clog and suffocate the pores and act as irritants to broken skin. The more organic & natural, the better for your tattoo, which brings us to our personal favorite healing method…

Coconut oil for the win.

Naturally antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and free of synthetic chemicals (unlike most ingredients found on drugstore shelves) coconut oil has become an increasingly popular choice of aftercare for all skin types, especially those with hyper-sensitive skin. When applied, coconut oil forms a layer which aids in the protection from external bacteria, fungi, parasites, and dust. Its natural lipids speed up the healing process by repairing tissues damaged by the process of tattooing.

In the market for coconut oil — there is a specific kind you want to look for. Organic, unrefined, Non-GMO, virgin or extra-virgin.  It’s quite a mouthful — but easily found in most grocery and health food stores. Unrefined, virgin coconut oil is superior to the refined type as it is the most natural and nutrient dense, free from heat and chemical processing. Organic and GMO-free, because pesticides and genetically modified foods suck.

The process of tattooing impedes our skin’s natural production of oil, which is why it is very important to moisturize your new tattoo regularly.  There’s not an exact science to the amount of times you should be applying your aftercare, that said… it’s best to listen to your body. Whenever your tattoo is feeling particularly parched, or itchy — you can rub on a small amount. Keep in mind that coconut oil will take a bit longer to absorb, and a little goes a long way.