Can Friction from Clothing Ruin a New Tattoo?

— Michael Hollman
Tagged: aftercare
Can Friction from Clothing Ruin a New Tattoo? Yes. Friction from clothing is one of the more common ways new tattoos lose ink during the healing phase. The damage is...

Why Do Some Tattoos Scab More Than Others?

— Michael Hollman
Tagged: aftercare
Why Do Some Tattoos Scab More Than Others? Not all tattoos scab the same way. Some heal with almost no visible scabbing at all, while others develop thick, raised crusts...

Can You Be Allergic to Tattoo Aftercare Products?

— Michael Hollman
Tagged: aftercare health
Can You Be Allergic to Tattoo Aftercare Products? Yes. Reactions to tattoo aftercare products are more common than most people expect, and they are a frequent cause of unexpected healing...

How to Care for a Tattoo After a Touch-Up Session

— Michael Hollman
Tagged: aftercare artist
How to Care for a Tattoo After a Touch-Up Session A touch-up session feels different from your original tattoo. The session is shorter, the work is lighter, and the skin...

A Guide to Aftercare for Tattoos with a Lot of White Ink

— Michael Hollman
Tagged: aftercare design
A Guide to Aftercare for Tattoos with a Lot of White Ink White ink tattoos demand more from the healing process than almost any other style. The pigment is lighter,...

Can You Go to the Gym or Work Out While a Tattoo is Peeling?

— Michael Hollman
Tagged: aftercare
You're somewhere in the middle of your tattoo's healing process β€” the initial soreness has faded, the skin is starting to peel, and you feel essentially fine. You want to...

What to Do if You Get a Cold or Flu While Your Tattoo Is Healing

— Michael Hollman
Tagged: aftercare
You got your tattoo and started healing it properly. A few days in, you wake up with a sore throat, a stuffy nose, and the early signs of a cold...

What to Do When You Can't Use Saniderm: Open-Air Healing Explained

— Michael Hollman
Tagged: aftercare
Second-skin bandages like Saniderm are a good tool. They are not the right tool for everyone. If you have had a reaction to the adhesive, have skin that does not...

A Guide to Healing Tattoos with a "Second Skin" or Adhesive Bandage

— Michael Hollman
Tagged: aftercare
Second-skin bandagesβ€”also called adhesive film dressings, medical-grade transparent film, or by brand names like Saniderm, Tegaderm, and Recovery Dermβ€”have become the most common professional aftercare approach in most studios. They...

Does Your Menstrual Cycle Affect Tattoo Pain? An Honest Guide

— Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain
If you've noticed your tattoos seem to hurt more at certain points in the month, you're not imagining it. Hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle genuinely affect pain sensitivity, and...

A Guide to Managing Pain for Tattoos Near Your Armpit

— Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
People don't usually plan an armpit tattoo the way they plan other placements. It tends to show up as part of something larger - a sleeve that needs to be...

A Guide to Back-to-Back Tattoo Sessions and Pain Management

— Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain
Big projects often mean back-to-back sessions. A full sleeve, a large back piece, or a detailed chest panel can require coming in multiple days in a row, or having two...