* Your tattoo is an open wound and therefore considered prime breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Below are advisory notes tailored towards my style of tattooing, different tattoo styles demand different aftercare.
There are two ways to heal my tattoos, with second skin or more commonly with cling film, a protective dressing, see below for details:
SECOND SKIN
This is essentially a transparent sticker, it means you’re able to go about your day after the appointment as normal with little irritation. It’s also good to have if you have pets, eliminating chances of fur touching the tattoo or an animal such as a dog licking it.
I will place this on your tattoo at the end of the appointment. Unless you have extremely sensitive skin, or you’d prefer cling film.
Keep the second skin on for 2-3 days, try not to pick at it, you can shower with this on but make sure the water isn’t too hot otherwise it’ll likely come off.
If at any point it’s irritable, causing you skin to react please take it off, following the below details, otherwise keep this on for 2-3 days.
Taking off the second skin
To remove the second skin, run your tattoo under warm water & slowly peel off the film. All the time pulling this off while close to your skin, don’t peel this off in an upwards direction, this will only hurt more and potentially pull the upper layers of the tattoo out of your skin.
Once removed, follow directions below in the ‘let your tattoo breath’ section:
PROTECTIVE DRESSING
It’s important that you leave the dressing on for two/three hours after your tattoo appointment, don’t leave it on any longer than 5 hours as this isn’t the second skin option. Once the cling film is off, don’t cover your tattoo again with any unbreathable material.
LET YOUR TATTOO BREATH
The newly tattooed area will need exposure to air in order for the skin to heal correctly, therefore you must:
- Gently wash with warm antibacterial soap or quick shower is fine. (Don’t have a bath, go swimming or spend any time in a hot tub for at least 3 weeks)
- Allow the tattoo to air dry or pat dry with a sterile kitchen tissue , don’t use a towel as they naturally harbour bacteria
MOISTURISING
Once your tattoo is clean & completely dry. Apply a thin even spread, moisturiser. I recommend Palmers Coconut Butter. Ensure the tattoo is completely dry before doing this otherwise you will clog your pores.
If Palmers Moisturiser isn’t good for you then I simply recommend anything with 100% natural ingredients, vegan & cruelty free aftercare balms work very well.
REPETE
Repeat this aftercare routine for at least a week or two. That is to wash, dry & moisturise every morning/evening.
Don’t worry if the tattoo fully dries out mid day, sometimes this can benefit the healing of your tattoo.
Don’t over think it, trust that your body will take care of the tattoo, don’t over moisturise or feel the need to wash it more than recommended by your tattoo artist, this in itself can significantly damage the tattoo long term.
DRESS CODE
Whilst healing make sure the tattoo is exposed to fresh air. Try to wear loose fitting and breathable clothing that wont rub or irritate the tattoo, especially for the first two or three days.
HEALING
It is completely normal for the skin around the tattooed area to peel. In order to avoid any risk of infection or colour loss, resist itching or picking the area. Allow the irritation to fall off naturally.
If any itching or irritation does occur, gently tap on the tattooed area to avoid damaging your tattoo.
THINGS TO AVOID
- Do not shave the area
- Avoid the sea, swimming pools, hot tubs or sitting in any body of water for a duration of time for the first 2/3weeks of getting tattooed
- Do not leave the bandage or dressing on for too long
- Make sure the tattoo is dry before moisturising
- Avoid direct sunlight, don’t put sun cream on a tattoo whilst it’s healing
- Pets, don’t allow any fur on your tattoo, if your pet sleeps on your bed or sits on your sofa either clean thoroughly or sleep in oversized pyjamas.
**The tattoo should heal properly within two to three weeks. If any negative signs or symptoms develop, such as redness at site, green/yellow discharge and or fever, then you should seek the advice of your artist & if necessary consult your GP.