Award-winning artist · Justice, IL
Tattoos, airbrush, murals and fine art.
Tattoo artist · Justice, IL
Julian Hernandez
Tattooing out of Redemption Tattoo Studio, just southwest of Chicago. Bring an idea, a placement and a few references — Julian takes it from there.
- Studio
- Redemption Tattoo Studio
- Location
- Justice, Illinois
- @artbyjulian
Prints & art
Julian's work off the skin, with prints of selected pieces.
Prints are on the way.
Julian is photographing original pieces for a run of prints. Want first dibs? Message @artbyjulian.
About
Julian Hernandez is a tattoo artist working out of Redemption Tattoo Studio in Justice, Illinois.
His portfolio lives on Instagram as @artbyjulian, and the pieces on this page come straight from it. If one of them is close to what you have in mind, mention its number when you reach out.
- Studio
- Redemption Tattoo Studio
- Location
- Justice, IL — southwest of Chicago
- @artbyjulian
- Tattoos by Julian
Booking
Send Julian a request here. It goes straight to his email, and he'll reply to you there.
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Describe your idea
Subject, style, placement and rough size. Reference photos help, so have a few ready to send when Julian replies.
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Talk it through
Julian follows up about the design, sizing and a date.
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Leave a deposit
A deposit locks in your appointment.
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Get tattooed
Come rested, fed and hydrated, in clothes that leave the placement easy to reach.
Aftercare
Pick the dressing you left the studio with.
Transparent film dressing Tegaderm, Saniderm, Second Skin, etc.
Your tattoo has been protected with a medical-grade breathable bandage. This creates a "second skin" to help you heal faster and with less scabbing.
The bandage should be left on for up to 5 days. It is okay to remove the bandage early if necessary.
When to remove early
If the bandage leaks, the seal breaks, or you experience extreme redness/irritation around the edges, remove it immediately.
It is normal to see a dark, grayish fluid buildup under the film. This is just a mix of plasma and excess ink and will dissipate over time. Do not attempt to drain this by poking a hole in the bandage.
If there is an excess of fluid buildup, the bandage starts to peel, or you are finding it generally uncomfortable, you have the option to remove the original bandage and replace it with a new transparent film dressing within the first 24 hours. This step is not necessary, however!
How to remove & replace
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Remove in the shower
Use warm running water to help loosen the adhesive. Peel it back slowly—do not rip it off like a Band-Aid.
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Wash
Use a mild, unscented soap (I recommend Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild) and your fingertips to gently wash away all blood and plasma. Do not use a washcloth or sponge, as they can harbor bacteria.
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Rinse & dry
Rinse thoroughly. Pat completely dry with a clean paper towel. Avoid using regular towels for the first week of healing.
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If re-applying
Apply your second bandage to the dry skin. Make sure it is completely clear of any soap residue. Keep this one on for 3 to 4 days max.
Long-term healing (after the bandage)
Once the final bandage is removed (usually day 4 or 5):
- Cleanse: Wash with unscented soap once or twice daily.
- Moisturize: Apply a very thin layer of unscented lotion 1–2 times a day. Your skin should breathe—if it looks "goopy," you've used too much. While I don't specifically recommend the use of Aquaphor or A&D ointment, if it has worked well for you in the past you can feel free to use it.
- No soaking: Showering is fine, but NO swimming, baths, or hot tubs for at least 2 weeks.
- No picking: As it heals, it may itch or flake like a sunburn. Do not scratch or pick at it, or you will lose ink!
- No sun: Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight while it's healing. Once healed, use SPF 50+ to keep it protected.
Continue this routine for 2 weeks. Your tattoo is typically "surface healed" by this point, and you can return to your normal routine.
Surface healing takes 2–4 weeks, but deep tissue healing can take up to 6 weeks. Be patient with your body.
Traditional aftercare Plastic wrap, soaker pads, etc.
The first night
- Initial bandage: Keep your bandage on for at least 2 hours. You may leave it on overnight to protect your sheets.
- No re-bandaging: Once that first bandage comes off, it stays off.
Cleaning routine
- Hand hygiene: Never touch a healing tattoo with dirty hands. Wash them first!
- For the first 48 hours, wash and lightly moisturize 1–2 times a day. From Day 3 onward, wash once daily but keep moisturizing.
- To wash, use warm water and a mild, unscented soap (I recommend Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild). Use only your clean fingertips—never use a washcloth, sponge, or loofah.
- Drying: Gently pat the area dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub, do not use a cloth towel.
- After drying, apply a thin layer of unscented lotion. The lotion can be re-applied throughout the day if necessary.
Moisturizing
Less is more: use a small amount of unscented lotion - just enough to cover the whole area of the tattoo. The tattoo should not look "goopy" or shiny.
Small white bumps?
If you see small white bumps or pimples, you are over-moisturizing. If this happens, stop using lotion for 24–48 hours until the skin clears up.
Healing timeline
Days 3–7: Your tattoo will likely peel and flake (like a sunburn) and may scab. This is normal!
It will get itchy. This is uncomfortable, but normal.
- No soaking: Showering is fine, but NO swimming, baths, or hot tubs for at least 2 weeks.
- No picking: As it heals, it may itch or flake like a sunburn. Do not scratch or pick at it, or you will lose ink!
- No sun: Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight while it's healing. Once healed, use SPF 50+ to keep it protected.
Continue this routine for 2 weeks. Your tattoo is typically "surface healed" by this point, and you can return to your normal routine.
Surface healing takes 2–4 weeks, but deep tissue healing can take up to 6 weeks. Be patient with your body.
Studio
Studio hours
- Monday – Saturday
- 12 – 10 pm
- Sunday
- Closed
These are the studio's hours. Message Julian to set a time.