AFTERCARE

You may need:

  • An Antibacterial soap

  • A moisturising cream (Nivea Soft, Palmers Cocoa Butter, any aftercare products your artist sells) DO NOT USE VASELINE.

  • Clingfilm (if you have been told to rewrap the tattoo)

  • Second skin (if you have used it before or have been given it by your artist)

  • Microporous tape (to seal the clingfilm)

-

Your artist will have cleaned and wrapped your latest addition in either clingfilm and sealed it with microporous tape, or used a thin plastic sticky shield that you leave on called second skin that can be used in place of clingfilm. This is where the tattoo is totally in your hands. It is an open wound and should be treated as such.

-

IF YOUR TATTOO HAS BEEN WRAPPED IN CLINGFILM:

  • When you get home, wash your tattoo thoroughly (but gently, it might be a little sore) in warm, soapy water. Regular antibacterial hand soap is fine. Keeping your tattoo clean is key.

  • Pat the tattoo dry with a clean towel. 

  • If you have been instructed to rewrap your tattoo, rewrap it in clean clingfilm 3/4 times for the first 3 days, washing the tattoo thoroughly before each rewrap and do not apply any cream while it is still under clingfilm. This is to prevent bacteria growth and to not smother the tattoo to the point where your skin cannot breathe at all.

    • When you have stopped wrapping the tattoo, apply cream 3/4 times per day, washing the tattoo before you apply more cream. You do not need lots of cream. A thin layer over the whole tattoo is more than enough. You should be able to still see your tattoo.

  • If you have not been instructed to rewrap your tattoo, apply a thin layer of cream to your tattoo immediately. Apply cream 3/4 times per day, washing the tattoo before you apply more cream. You do not need lots of cream. A thin layer over the whole tattoo is more than enough. You should be able to still see your tattoo.

IF YOUR TATTOO HAS BEEN WRAPPED IN SECOND SKIN:

  • Leave the it on for no longer than 24 hours.

  • To remove it, lift a corner of the film and stretch horizontally along the skin surface to break the adhesive bond. Continue stretching the edge of the film towards the centre. When both sides of the film are partially removed, grab both sides at the same time and stretch them horizontally and parallel to the skin until the entire film lifts. In case the film is particularly resistant, you can use some water to aid breaking the adhesive bond from the skin

  • Wash the tattoo with warm, soapy water. Apply cream 3/4 times per day, washing the tattoo before you apply more cream. You do not need lots of cream. A thin layer over the whole tattoo is more than enough. You should be able to still see your tattoo.

  • Only reapply second skin if instructed to do so by your artist.

    IF YOUR TATTOO HAS BEEN WRAPPED IN DRYLOC PADS:

    • Leave the Dryloc pads on until the morning.

    • Remove and wash the tattoo as normal with warm soapy water.

    • Apply cream 3/4 times per day, washing the tattoo before you apply more cream. You do not need lots of cream. A thin layer over the whole tattoo is more than enough. You should be able to still see your tattoo.

-

WEEPING:

If your tattoo is weeping still after a few days, don’t worry. The most common reasons for a weeping tattoo are the following:

  • The tattoo is on your lower leg, feet, or ankle. If you’re on your feet all day and you’ve had a tattoo around those areas, expect some swelling and weeping for a while. We realise this is easier said than done, but when possible, try to elevate your leg when at home.

  • It’s a big tattoo. There’s a lot of work that’s gone on and weeping is normal and natural in this case. 

  • A little bit of overworked skin. This happens sometimes and usually only happens to a certain part of the tattoo (normally light colours) and not usually the whole tattoo. Sometimes it’s accompanied by a scab/pitting. 

To ensure you care for your tattoo correctly when if it’s weeping heavily, please do the following:

  • Don’t panic. Notify your artist. They care as much as you do, and they can give you the best advice. 

  • Stop applying cream for a couple of days.

  • Allow the tattoo to dry out but wash it as normal.

  • Scabbing will form over the affected area. DO NOT PICK OFF THE SCAB.

  • When the tattoo is dried out completely, reapply cream until fully healed.

  • If a touch up is needed, your artist will offer you the first one for free.

-

ITCHING:

When your tattoo is healing, the most annoying part is the itching that follows. As tempted as you may be to scratch it, please refrain from doing so. You will pull scabs/peeling skin off too early, and possibly scar or pull ink out of your tattoo.

-

IRRITATION/RASHES:

Everyone heals differently. Sometimes, clients don’t get on with a certain cream. If you experience a rash or any irritation, notify your artist, cease using the cream and wash it off.  Leave the tattoo alone for 24 hours, regularly washing it to soothe any irritation. Switch to a different cream and the rash/redness/irritation should go away.

-

OTHER THINGS THAT SHOULD NOT BE DONE UNTIL YOUR TATTOO IS FULLY HEALED:

  • Swimming in a pool/soaking in a hot tub/swimming in the sea/soaking in a hot bath for a lot time.

  • Using rubbing alcohol. 

  • Allow pets to rub against/lick/lie on the area that has been tattooed.

  • Participating in sports where the tattoo will be knocked or damaged. 

  • Participate in activities where the tattoo will get dirty.

  • Using a tanning bed or fake tan/sunbathe.


It seems like a lot of information to take in, but we just want you to have the best version of your tattoo possible. If at any point you are concerned or have any questions about your tattoo during the healing process, please do not hesitate to contact us. We recommend speaking to the artist who did the tattoo before seeking a doctor’s advice, as 9 times out of 10, your artist has probably seen it before and can instruct you on what steps to take next.

Happy healing!