1904 NE Broadway PDX 97232

971-983-7039

direwolfpdx@gmail.com

IG: @direwolfpdx

Weds-Sun 12PM-7PM | Mon-Tues By Appointment

Congratulations on your new tattoo!

Because the tattoo process damages your skin, you can expect some swelling, tenderness, redness, bleeding/oozing, or minor bruising for the first few days following your appointment. Eventually your tattoo will start to feel dry and flakey. During this phase, your piece may look pale, blotchy, or uneven. This is totally normal, and usually only lasts a week or two.

Itchiness is very common in a healing tattoo. Do your best not to scratch or pick at your skin, or any flakes or small scabs that may form. Light taps with a CLEAN hand can help relieve the itching, but be as gentle as you can!

In general, most tattoos take 2-3 weeks to fully heal. During this time, cleanliness and good aftercare is essential. Please follow the instructions below, unless your tattoo artist has advised you otherwise. 

(1)

Saniderm/self-adhesive bandages: Leave your bandage on for 12-48 hours, or as directed by your tattoo artist. Bandages are waterproof and can be showered in. It is normal for blood, ink, and plasma to pool underneath the bandage. When ready, gentle peel the bandage off using soap and warm water to help remove the adhesive.

Traditional bandage: Leave your bandaging on overnight, and remove in the morning when you are ready to wash your tattoo. It is normal to find blood, ink, and plasma on the skin when you remove the bandage.

(2) Wash your tattoo 2-3 times daily during the healing process, using only your fingertips and mild liquid soap from a hand pump. Be sure to rinse off an blood, lymph, debris, and soap residue thoroughly.

(3) Apply a thin coat of water-based, fragrance-free lotion with CLEAN hands as needed. Use only as much as needed to cover your tattoo, whenever it feels very tight, dry, and itchy.

(4) Remember that while healing your tattoo is an open wound. Take care to keep your tattoo as clean as you would any scrape, cut, or burn. Be careful around dirty surfaces, children, pets, and be sure not to touch your tattoo without first washing your hands.

(5) For the first two weeks avoid direct sunlight, intense exercise, prolonged soaking of your tattoo in pools, hot tubs, or natural bodies of water, and sunscreen or any ointment not recommended by your tattoo artist.

If you have any questions whatsoever, please reach out to your artist or the studio at direwolfpdx@gmail.com or 971-983-7039. Because we are an artist-owned studio, we may be tattooing and your call directed to voicemail. We will make every effort to respond as soon as possible. Feel free to text the above number as well. We are always here to help.