AFTERCARE

The following advice relates to tattoos I have done. Each artist will advise slightly differently depending on the tattoo you’ve received.

For both kinds of aftercare wrapping:

  • Stay out of baths, swimming pools and saunas for at least a week. Showering is always fine; allow the tattoo to air dry or dry with a paper towel (not bath towel).

  • Avoid direct sun exposure, sand/dirt, and excessive contact while healing.

  • Your tattoo will be fully ‘sealed’ after a week to ten days, and will be ‘settled’ after a month to 6 weeks, which is when I’d love to see a healed photo.

  • Do not itch your tattoo when it is healing, especially if there is a scab.

  • After removing and cleaning, wait for at least 12, ideally 24, hours before applying any moisturiser. Minimising the amount you clean and moisturise will also reduce the risk of introducing impurities to the healing tattoo via your hands.

  • I recommend Cocoa Butter or other natural moisturisers. Avoid oily products like Vaseline and Bepanthen. Always use as little as possible.

  • If in doubt, or if the tattoo becomes more red, sore, or raised: leave it alone. Touch it less, clean it less often, wear loose clothing over it, and stop moisturising. Surface infections are rare, but sometimes occur if the tattoo comes into contact with bacteria when it is fresh. Most heal themselves without any further intervention needed. If it gets worse after a few days, email me.

CLING FILM WRAPS

If you’ve been given a cling film wrap, remove it after minimum 3 hours, or keep it on until you have a chance to clean it.

Clean with running water and soap, letting it air dry or blotting dry with a clean paper towel (not a bath towel). Make sure there is no oily residue on the surface of the skin, this is a mixture of plasma and Vaseline and will make scabs more likely if it’s not cleaned off.

Be vigilant to avoid contact with surfaces, and clothing as much as possible for the first week especially. Avoid touching with your hands other than daily cleaning.

SECOND SKIN WRAPS

You can leave the Second Skin on for up to 5 days, but somewhere between 2-4 days is ideal.

If at any point the area under the bandage gets more sore or pink than it was when the tattoo was fresh, remove it. Removing it won’t negatively affect the healing, but keeping it on when you’re having a reaction will. If you remove it early, follow the advice for Cling Film wraps.

Second Skin is waterproof, so showering with it on it fine.

If you are exercising where you will sweat a lot, remove the bandage beforehand and follow the advice for Cling Film wraps.

If at any point the bandage stops being airtight, remove it. For example, if it leaks, or water gets in during showering, or you notice that is has peeled up and exposed part of the tattoo.

When removing. in the shower, gently lift up a corner and pull away from the centre of the bandage. Pull gently so as not to aggravate the tattoo.

Clean thoroughly, with running water and soap, letting it air dry or blotting dry with a clean paper towel (not a bath towel).