• ✻ tattoo aftercare ✻

  • taking good care of your new tattoo is essential to ensuring it heals and ages well. i always go over aftercare instructions at the end of every appointment, but i have laid out a detailed explanation here on how to heal your new tattoo that you can go back to and check.

    at the end of a tattoo appointment i wrap the tattoo in second skin. this is a clear adhesive sticker that is cut to size and covers the tattoo. if you are allergic to second skin, i wrap the tattoo in cling film instead.

  • second skin should be kept on the tattoo for a minimum of 48 hours and a maximum of 4 days. if, however, you notice that you are having a reaction to the adhesive (redness, itching, burning around the perimeter of the sticker) take it off immediately. if it peels off to the point that the tattoo is exposed to air, or if any ink leaks out the bottom, take it off early as well. while you have the second skin on you may notice some ink coming out of the tattoo and leaving a blurry film of ink over the tattoo. this is a normal part of the healing process and will wash off when you remove the second skin. 

    the best way to take the second skin off is in the shower under running water. peel the top corner and, under running water, peel the sticker down against your skin. this should get it off quickly and as pain free as possible. give it a gentle wash with some unscented soap or just water (avoid harsh soaps or scrubs). when you get out of the shower pat the tattoo dry with a paper towel or let it air dry (avoid drying it with a bath towel as this can transfer bacteria).

    leave the tattoo to dry for a few hours before moisturising with something light and that absorbs well into the skin. my recommendation is palmers cocoa butter, but other good creams to use are aveeno, cera ve, ceraphil or coconut oil. avoid thick creams or vaseline, do not use bepanthen. moisturise 2-4 times a day for 2 weeks. it's always better to under-moisturise than over-moisturise, a tattoo is a healing wound so doesn't need to be drenched in creams to heal. moisturising reduces scabbing which pulls out ink, so moisturise when the tattoo is looking very dry/flakey/snakeskin-like, and let it fully dry out before reapplication. make sure you keep your tattoo clean by washing it with water (and unscented soap if you have it) before moisturising. 

     

    • do not pick at or scratch your tattoo. any bits of dead skin will come off in their own time. if it's super itchy the best thing to do is either give the tattooed area a little slap, or gently itch it with your knuckles.
    • wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching your tattoo
    • do not submerge your tattoo in water for 2-3 weeks (no baths/swimming, pat dry after a shower)
    • do not get your tattoo in direct sunlight for 2-3 weeks
    • do not apply sunscreen over your tattoo for a month
       

    once the tattoo is fully healed (4-6 weeks depending on the amount of shading/blackwork) you are free to apply sunscreen. this helps with aging and keeping your tattoo looking fresh. you don't need to routinely moisturise your tattoo after it is healed, but doing so also helps to keep it looking fresh and vibrant. 

    i love receiving healed photos, which can be sent via my feedback form, and if any touch ups are needed these are free of charge (excluding hand/finger placements) and can be requested on instagram. 

  • cling film should be removed 2-3 hours after getting the tattoo. give the tattoo a gentle wash with some lukewarm water and unscented soap if you have it.

     

    leave the tattoo to dry for a few hours before moisturising with something light and that absorbs well into the skin. my recommendation is palmers cocoa butter, but other good creams to use are aveeno, cera ve, ceraphil or coconut oil. avoid thick creams or vaseline, do not use bepanthen. moisturise 2-4 times a day for 2 weeks. it's always better to under-moisturise than over-moisturise, a tattoo is a healing wound so doesn't need to be drenched in creams to heal. moisturising reduces scabbing which pulls out ink, so moisturise when the tattoo is looking very dry/flakey/snakeskin-like, and let it fully dry out before reapplication. make sure you keep your tattoo clean by washing it with water (and unscented soap if you have it) before moisturising. 

     

    • do not pick at or scratch your tattoo. any bits of dead skin will come off in their own time. if it's super itchy the best thing to do is either give the tattooed area a little slap, or gently itch it with your knuckles.
    • wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching your tattoo
    • do not submerge your tattoo in water for 2-3 weeks (no baths/swimming, pat dry after a shower)
    • do not get your tattoo in direct sunlight for 2-3 weeks
    • do not apply sunscreen over your tattoo for a month
       

    once the tattoo is fully healed (4-6 weeks depending on the amount of shading/blackwork) you are free to apply sunscreen. this helps with aging and keeping your tattoo looking fresh. you don't need to routinely moisturise your tattoo after it is healed, but doing so also helps to keep it looking fresh and vibrant. 

    i love receiving healed photos, which can be sent via my feedback form, and if any touch ups are needed these are free of charge (excluding hand/finger placements) and can be requested on instagram. 

     

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