You did the thing! Now let’s make sure it heals great…

Remember, tattoos are “living art”-
They can thrive if they’re cared for
and can suffer if they’re neglected!

2026 UPDATE! Amity artists are now using Recovery+ Derm Shield for many of our tattoo projects, particularly with color pigments. We often refer to this product as “second skin”, as it is an adhesive film that protects your tattoo from the elements and stays on the skin for 3-5 days, mimicking your natural skin’s elasticity. A vast majority of our clients say they prefer this method of healing their tattoo over “traditional” aftercare (washing, ointment, and lotion) and we generally see tattoos heal with less issues using this method. As such, your Amity artist will provide the Derm Shield adhesive barrier at the end of your tattoo session if it is suitable for the completed tattoo.

*Please inform your artist if you have allergies/sensitivity to medical-grade adhesives such as medical tape, or pertinent skin conditions, as the second skin may cause an unpleasant reaction is certain cases. There may be other instances your artist may advise to not use a second skin film, which we will explain at the end of your appointment if applicable.

While we will always walk you through detailed aftercare instructions, you can refer to this video if you need a quick refresher:

Healing your new tattoo…

Congratulations on your new tattoo! Some folks ignore the importance of how to properly care for their tattoos while they’re healing, but not you! Amity Ink wants to make sure your tattoo looks great for many years to come, and proper care of a healing tattoo is one of the most important ways to help! As it is our hope you have the best tattoo healing experience, we include/provide all you need to ensure a happy heal!

First, a couple quick “rules” to follow:

• Always care for your tattoo in a clean environment and always wash your hands before touching your tattoo.

• No swimming or soaking/submerging the tattoo for any duration for the first WEEK (although the longer, the better). Microbes and chemicals found in pools and bodies of water are not your tattoo’s friend while it’s healing.

• Shower as normal. (Yes, please!) During your shower, don’t use anything abrasive on your tattoo, such as loofas or exfoliating pads.

• Avoid tanning (in natural sun or booths) until your tattoo heals, and even after, we strongly recommend using sunblock on your tattoo whenever you’re in the sun…FOR LIFE!

• DO NOT PICK AT YOUR TATTOO! We know it’s fun when you’re bored, but it will compromise your tattoo and affect your healing time. So cut it out!

Some extra guidelines to consider…

Some minor scabbing is typical, but your whole tattoo should not form a hard, scaly scab. If you notice that your tattoo is a bit scabby after Day 3, you may continue to use Redemption until the scab softens and sloughs off on its own.

Sometimes, bruising can happen as a result of the tattoo procedure. This is normal, and shouldn’t cause panic. We sometimes have to wrestle the skin a bit to make sure it’s taut during the tattoo, which can cause minor bruising. If you’re concerned about it, reach out to your artist.

With any open wound, there is some risk of infection. Following the instructions on this page will help ensure your tattoo’s healing goes smoothly, but in rare instances, an infection can still occur. Signs that your tattoo may be infected are: bright pink/redness lingering days after the tattoo procedure (some initial redness is normal), the tattoo feels warm to the touch, lingering swelling/pain (again, some initial swelling is common), and finally, signs of pus or discharge can indicate an infection. If you feel that your tattoo might be infected, please get a hold of your artist right away and we will walk you through what steps to take.

As we just mentioned, if you have any questions or concerns about your aftercare, e-mail us at: amityink419@gmail.com or call the shop at 419-740-0381. We appreciate your friendship!