Aftercare Information
I recommend Dermaveen, Cetaphil, or Dr. Pickles products. All these brands sell both washes to clean your tattoo, and ointments to heal.
If Second Skin has been used
- Do nothing the night of your tattoo
- Leave the second skin on for approximately 6-7 days, then remove slowly, in a warm shower, and parallel to the skin by stretching it (Like a 3M Command hook!)
- Wash the area thoroughly with antibacterial soap or plain sensitive wash, allow to air dry or pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel
- Apply a small amount of tattoo ointment once or twice daily until your tattoo is no longer dry and scaly, and feels like normal skin
*IMPORTANT*
If at any point you notice excessive redness, swelling, itchiness, blistering, or the second skin becomes compromised and exposes the tattoo, remove it ASAP and follow cling wrap aftercare instructions below.
If cling wrap has been used
- Remove the cling wrap when you get home. Do not re-wrap with cling wrap at any point unless I have instructed you to do so
- Wash the area thoroughly with antibacterial soap or plain sensitive wash, allow to air dry or pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel
- Allow to air for the rest of the evening, and during bed time. No ointment is necessary on the first day. You may notice some weeping of ink and plasma overnight, this is normal
- In the morning, wash the area again, dry, and apply a small amount of ointment to the tattoo in gentle circular motions. You only need just enough to lightly moisturise the area, you don’t want to suffocate it and keep it too wet
- Re-apply ointment with clean hands up to a maximum of 3 times per day as you feel it is needed
- Continue to wash your tattoo every day and apply ointment for up to 2-3 weeks while your tattoo heals
- Make sure to wash your tattoo again if it becomes exposed to anything dirty, or if you sweat excessively
- Your tattoo will become itchy and may scab, particularly in the second week. It’s extremely important not to pick or scratch. A quick slap can help to get rid of the itchy sensation without compromising your tattoo
Your tattoo will take between 1-3 weeks to heal, and will be settled into your skin after roughly 4 weeks. Continue to practice good tattoo aftercare until your tattooed skin feels like normal skin and is no longer raised, itchy, scabby, peeling, or shiny.
*IMPORTANT*
Do not submerge your tattoo in water for 2 weeks at a minimum, or you will cause an infection. This means no baths, hot tubs, swimming, or excessively long showers. Normal showers are of course, required.
Do not go sun tanning or use fake tan on the tattooed area for 2 weeks at a minimum.
Do not let your pets or children touch your tattoo.
What if I need a touch up?
That’s ok! Sometimes tattoos don’t heal like we expect. Human bodies are all different and there’s always a chance a touch up will be needed.
I guarantee my work for life and therefore I offer lifetime free touch ups at my discretion. This means that I won’t honour a free touch up if it’s clear to me that you have not properly cared for your tattoo (Trust me, I can tell!)
If you do think you require a touch up, please wait until your tattoo has fully healed, then take a photo and email it to me, describing what you’re concerned about. I can book you in from there.