Heal it right, day by day.
The same directions we give every client in our studios. Follow the timeline, use each product at its stage, and leave the rest alone.
How old is your tattoo?
The timeline
- Day 0Protect · SR BandageLeave the studio wrappedYour artist applies SR Bandage over the fresh tattoo. Leave it on - it is breathable, waterproof and sterile.
- Day 1–3Protect · SR BandageKeep the film onFluid buildup under the film is normal. Do not pull directly upward; showers are fine.
- Day 3–4Cleanse · Foaming SoapRemove & first washRemove the bandage with warm water, peeling back in the direction of hair growth. Wash gently with Foaming Soap.
- Day 4–14Cleanse · Foaming SoapPeeling phaseWash twice daily. Light peeling and itching are normal - never scratch or pick.
- Day 14+Heal · SR LotionMoisturize dailyApply SR Lotion in a thin layer to keep skin conditioned and the tattoo healing properly.
- HealedMaintain · SR LotionMaintain vibrancyDaily lotion and sun protection keep healed work sharp for the long term.
Step by step
The full routine, in order. Numbered directions - the same ones printed on the box.
Day 0–3Wrap it - SR Bandage
1Your artist cuts the bandage allowing for full coverage of the tattoo, with a margin of clear skin on every side.
2Peel off the paper backing to expose the adhesive; apply over the clean, dry tattoo and smooth outward from the center.
3Remove the printed top film. Leave the bandage in place for 3–4 days - showers are fine.
4If the seal breaks and fluid leaks, remove, wash gently, dry, and apply a fresh piece.
Day 3–14Wash it - Foaming Soap
1Remove the bandage under warm running water - peel a corner back and pull slowly across the skin, never straight up.
2Wash your hands, then wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and one pump of Foaming Soap. Hands only - no cloths or loofahs.
3Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub.
4Repeat twice daily through the peeling phase. Never scratch or pick flaking skin.
Day 14+Feed it - SR Lotion
1Once peeling settles, apply SR Lotion in a thin layer - more is not better. Massage in until absorbed.
2Apply once or twice daily until the skin’s texture returns to normal, usually week four.
3After full healing, keep moisturizing and use SPF on exposed work. Sun is the main reason tattoos fade.
Do / Don’t
DoLeave the film on for 3–4 days, including through showers.
DoWash with lukewarm water and Foaming Soap - hands only, no cloths.
DoApply SR Lotion in a thin layer once peeling begins to settle.
Don’tDo not pull the film directly upward - peel back low and slow.
Don’tDo not scratch, pick, or soak the tattoo (pools, tubs, ocean).
Don’tDo not expose fresh work to direct sun. SPF only after fully healed.
Use only as directed. For external use only. If irritation persists, consult a physician.
Tips from the chair
Sleep on clean sheets the first week, and keep pets off the fresh tattoo.- Loose, soft clothing over the area - friction is the enemy of a clean heal.
- Itching means healing. Slap lightly around the tattoo or apply lotion - never scratch.
- Hydrate and skip alcohol the first 48 hours; both affect how much you weep plasma.
- A tattoo is healed on the surface in two weeks and fully in about four. Judge touch-ups after week six.
- When in doubt, message your artist a photo before you improvise.
Terms you’ll hear
What people mean at the shop - and where we stand.
Dry healing
Healing with no products at all after the wash phase. It works for some skin, but cracking and heavy scabbing are more likely - a thin layer of lotion protects the result. We do not recommend it.
Skin Reserve
Adhesive healing film - a breathable, waterproof barrier worn over the fresh tattoo for the first days. It replaces plastic wrap and gauze.
Ink sack
The pocket of plasma and excess ink that pools under a healing film. It looks alarming and it is expected. Leave it unless the seal breaks.
Plasma
The clear fluid a fresh tattoo weeps in the first 24–48 hours. Normal - it is your skin starting to close.
Milk scab
The thin, cloudy layer over a healing tattoo during the peel - looks like the ink went dull. Color returns when the skin finishes turning over.
Blowout
Ink spreading under the skin from being deposited too deep. It is an application issue, not an aftercare one - no product fixes or causes it.
Slick healing
Over-applying ointment so the tattoo never dries. Traps moisture and bacteria; thin layers only, always on clean skin.
Common questions
Yes. Plasma and excess ink pool under the film in the first days - it looks dramatic and it is expected. If the seal breaks and fluid leaks, replace the bandage with a fresh piece.
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