Adhesive Bandage; Unwrap the tattoo 5 to 7 days after the appointment. With the adhesive bandage, pull downward from the top corners while rinsing the piece under warm running water.

(Tip to remove the bandage; Under running water, pull the bandage down a couple of inches, and melt some coconut oil behind it as you pull. Do this a few times to reduce irritation in the removal process.) If excess adhesive is left behind, you can also use coconut oil to remove it! Apply the oil to the areas with excess residue, very lightly and in a circular motion, rub the area. The adhesive should start to clump, and you should then be able to carefully remove those small pieces.

Absorbent Pad/Gauze; Unwrap the tattoo 2 to 3 days after the appointment. Gently wash your tattoo with a unscented soap (anti-bacterial works best). Use your impeccably clean hands to wash the tattoo. Let your tattoo air dry, or pat it dry with a paper towel. Discard paper towel after use. After the wash, apply a thin layer of your unscented, water based lotion. Re-wrap the piece with a light layer of breathable gauze to offer the healing skin another layer of protection. Leave this layer on until your next shower.

When it starts to heal, it's going to crack, peel, feel tight, and itchy. This is normal! Never pick or scratch anything on the tattoo (if it's that itchy, just slap it if you have too), when everything flakes off, what's left behind is your tattoo. If there are any breaks or discoloration after healing, you have a year to come back in for a free touch up; anything after that will be a $50 flat charge.

Allergy Alert

We have been seeing an increasing number of allergic reactions to the acrylic, an adhering compound, in the 'second skin' bandage. If you start to notice a red rash or small bumps developing around the edges of your adhesive bandage, please remove it immediately. Do the best you can to remove any excess residue and wash the area. Contact your artist to notify them of the issue

Things to Avoid​

Don't submerge your healing tattoo within water for too long. So avoid taking baths/ hot tubs, swimming, even doing dishes in deep basins.

Fresh tattoos are very sensitive to the sun as well, so within the first few days of healing, cover up as best you can. If you are out in the sun after unwrapping your piece, please use a lighter sunscreen (nothing too thick or greasy so your skin can continue to breathe), or use even a moisturizer containing SPF.

If you have pets that share your bed with you, their dander/ fur may cause infection/ irritation. It may be red, and a little more itchy. If so, you need to either wrap your piece for the first couple of nights (the bandage given appointment day would cover this for you), or change your sheets frequently. 

If they jump onto a fresh piece, just give it a wash.

Most tattoos take between 3 to 4 weeks to heal (depending on size and placement of course), but everyone heals at different speeds. Any questions or concerns about your tattoo, you can always send us an email;

metsatattoo@hotmail.com

Recommended Aftercare​

• Gently remove bandage either in the shower or let warm running water run over it. Let adhesive loosen for a couple minutes (See bandage info section for more details on bandage care)

• Wash your tattoo with unscented soap. (anti-bacterial works best)

Use your impeccably clean hands to wash the tattoo. Do NOT use a cloth, sponge, or loofah as they carry bacteria and are too harsh for the delicate worked skin.

• Rinse your tattoo, gently pat it dry with a paper towel. Do not rub or wipe your tattoo.

• If possible, open a fresh pack of paper towels to ensure cleanliness and avoid risk of infection from contamination’s.

• Apply your unscented moisturizer to the tattoo. Ensure your moisturizer is water based, no petroleum!

• Wash and moisturize your tattoo twice daily.

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