Nothing for 2-5 days. If you have the adhesive bandage known as second skin then you are advised to NOT remove it until day 3 or 5.

Yes you can shower. The bandage is waterproof.

When you are ready to remove t do so slowly, I say opposite of a bandaid. Pick up a corner and peel it back a little bit at a time. If you want to accelerate the removal then use soapy water to remove it.

If you have a bandage such as a dry lock and saran wrap then wait between 45 minute and 2 hrs. Then remove the wrap, wash it gently with a gentle soap such as Dial Gold and then pat dry it with a clean towel.

Do not do this if you have the adhesive bandage.

By now you’ll probably be either healed or significantly far into the healing process. You don’t have to do anything except if it feels dry then you may use a fragrance free waterbased lotion and apply it until for a couple of weeks as necessary.

Risk for infection stops when the skin closes but the tattoo isn’t officially healed until after approx 21 days to 28 days when the skin is almost entirely regrown.

Very normal. It may peel and almost always itches. DO NOT pick or scratch at your tattoo. If worst case scenario just slap it.

Some redness around the tattoo is normal. If excessive redness persists, a red line extends from the tattoo, or there is excessive scabbing with a foul smelling discharge, it may be signs of an infection. If you feel you may have an infection, please contact your primary care physician.

-PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR TATTOO!

-Expose to sea water

-Expose to sauna or tanning lights

-Expose to direct sunlight

-Excessing sweating

-Excessive bathing

I do NOT recommend you put anything on your tattoo for six days. I recommend you still keep it clean by washing like you did the first time right when you wake up and before you go to bed.

When it gets to the 6th day you can then apply a small amount of fragrance free, water-based lotion to the new skin that's begun to regrow.

Contra Costa county dictates that I’m supposed to tell you is to use a antimicrobial, fragrance-free soap and a fragrance-free, water based lotion for the healing process. What’s that mean?

For soap: Dial Gold. It’s $1 just about anywhere and exactly what you need. Most handsoaps like Dial Gold will be fine as well.

For lotion: Aveeno, Lubriderm, Dermasil, Gold bond, etc, etc. You probably already use a lotion like this, but if you need to get some just buy a travel sized as it will be more than enough even for large scale tattoos. What you want to avoid is anything from Bed, Bath and Beyond or Victoria Secret or other places that sell fancy, fragrant lotions.

I have a fany salve for $5 for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with the hassle of going to the store. It is really good and works well.

This was a very popular product for tattoo healing back in the day but I think my method of healing exposes you to less risk and holds more ink when it’s all said and done. Everyone who uses my healing method has come back to me with outstanding results.

It used to be hard keeping people from working out with their new tattoo but with the current state of the world people will take it more seriously.

Going to the gym while you have a fresh tattoo risks exposure to many different ways you can acquire an infection. It’s recommended that you not work out at any gym until after the 6th day of your tattoo and to not do any high contact activities until 2 weeks when all parts of the tattoo have mostly healed.

If you're in construction, nursing or deal with a lot of potential unsanitary situations you are at the most risk of infection so it’s best to take the absolute best precautions. If on the arms, loose long sleeves are preferred in every situation. It is not recommended to re-bandage a tattoo after you've already removed the original bandage. Conditions may not always be ideal 100% of the time, but do the best you can in the situation.

I DO NOT recommend that you drink with a healing tattoo. I ain’t you mom though so if you do go against this advice then at least get an 8 oz glass of water for every 2 drinks downed. Dehydration is going to set you back on the healing regardless but hey you only live once, right?

Marijuana won’t adversely affect your tattoo in any known way.

I get this question a lot, DO NOT use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your tattoo. It can give you some very, very bad results. With few medical exceptions, your tattoo should heal just fine naturally. You will greatly increase your risk for a nasty infection if you try either of these.

Be careful with pets. They can be a risk to your tattoo, especially outside pets. Dogs have a bacteria in their stool that is specifically problematic for a healing tattoo, this bacteria can get transferred to their fur, paws & nails and thus transfer to you by contact with them.

If you're more comfortable with someone else's instructions or you feel they work for you better then feel free to follow those.

But if specifically asking me for my advice then this is what I recommend following for tattoo aftercare.