Healing begins as soon as your tattoo is finished. Your tattooed skin is now a wound and your body will start to produce plasma to start the healing process.
At Lucky Bamboo the artists will clean the finished tattoo and then apply a piece of Recovery. Recovery is a Derm shield to protect and help allow your body to heal your new tattoo in the most efficient manner. You will also leave with a second peice of Recovery to replace the first one after 24 hours and after washing with unscented soap and warm water. The second piece is worn for 4 days.
During this time your tattoo might be a little sore, especially with a larger piece that was done. It may also feel a little warm to the touch. There will also be some swelling and redness at first. This is normal. What is not normal is if those symptoms don’t go away or your notice redness and swelling getting worse instead of better. At this point you should let the studio know and if needed consult a doctor just to be on the safe side.
After the recommended 4 days of wearing the second piece of Recovery you should gently peel the shield off. Once you have taken it off you should wash your tattoo with unscented soap and warm water. At this point your tattoo should be free of redness and swelling. You shouldn’t have any bruising or scabs and if all went right the tattoo should be mostly healed. All that is necessary to do is to keep your tattoo clean and moisturized to ensure that it is fully healed which can take up to 2-6 weeks depending on multiple factors for each individual.
Signs that your tattoo is fully healed is no redness, swelling, scabbing, peeling, bruising, and the skin should feel in texture similar to the skin around it.