Molly Vee’s Aftercare Method
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to email at any time.
Twice a day for two weeks:
1. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap.
2. Dilute unscented antibacterial soap or unscented castille soap down to loose suds and gently wash the tattoo, then rinse with warm water.
3. Pat the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel or let it air dry completely.
4. Apply a SMALL amount of moisturizer. For the first three days, use a more substantial ointment such as A&D or Aquaphor. For the remainder of the two weeks, use any unscented lotion. Be sparing. Less is more here.
5. Though your tattoo may feel healed in a matter of days, it is still “healing” for the first full month. After the month has passed, please be sure to use sunscreen on your tattoo whenever sun exposure is possible in order to give your tattoo its best chance at looking its best for years to come!
Note: yes, you can wash your tattoo in the shower (at the end of your shower, to wash away any shampoo, etc.).
Clear Adhesive Barrier Instructions
Your clear bandage can stay on for up to a week. The barrier is waterproof, but oxygen permeable, so your tattoo can breathe and heal properly while completely covered.
If your barrier stays on for the full week, after it is removed, just wash your tattoo in the shower each day and moisturize with unscented lotion for the next week.
If the barrier comes off in fewer than 3 days, please follow the washing and moisturizing instructions above for 10 days. If the barrier comes off between 4-6 days, please follow the instructions above for a week.
Note: it is normal for some body fluid goo to develop underneath the clear barrier. Unless the barrier begins to leak or gets compromised (allowing water in, for example), it is okay to just allow your body to reabsorb the goo as the tattoo heals beneath the barrier.
Removal: you may find it easier to remove the adhesive barrier in the shower under warm running water. Let the water run on the barrier for a few minutes, then slowly peel the barrier off. Some folks find it less uncomfortable to pull the barrier off by stretching it like a Command strip rather than pulling it down like peeling a banana. If the skin around the edge of the battier starts to get very red, painful, or begins to blister, remove the barrier as soon as possible and follow the standard washing and moisturizing procedure above for the time suggested.
Please avoid
1. Working out or doing any intense physical activity for the first 72 hours after getting tattooed.
2. Submerging your tattoo in still water (baths, hot tubs, lakes, etc.) for one month.
3. Getting your tattoo sweaty for two weeks.
4. Wearing tight or restrictive clothing (spandex, thermal, vinyl) over the tattoo for two weeks.
5. Allowing pets to have direct contact with the tattoo for two weeks.
6. Picking or scratching your tattoo.
7. Direct sun exposure on your tattoo for the first month. After that, please wear sunscreen (the higher the spf, the better).
It is also a good idea to change the sheets on your bed so your tattoo will rest on clean sheets while you sleep.
