Aftercare

The most important thing with healing is avoiding infection! So if you only remember one thing from all of this, it's

keep it clean!

First things first:
If we used cling wrap, remove it when you get home, or at the latest, the next morning. Wash your tattoo with gentle antibacterial soap like Sanex, then air-dry or gently pat it dry with a fresh kitchen roll. 

If we used second skin (the sticky stuff), you can leave it on the tattoo for 24 hours. 

If it starts to peel or comes off sooner, that's really not a problem; it's best to fully remove it if any of the tattoo is exposed. If it gets sweaty under the second skin, it's best to remove it and rinse it with water.

Try to avoid heavy exercise in the first five days, as excessive sweating can irritate the tattoo and complicate the healing process. 

Moisturising:
Once the tattoo is out in the open, keep it clean and dry for the first 24-48 hours to give your skin a chance to form the first protective barrier before you start touching/moisturising it. When you start moisturising, do so at least twice a day until it's no longer dry and flaky (usually about 4 weeks).

You know your skin better than anyone else, so use a product that suits you. I would recommend something natural, without perfume or chemicals, like cocoa butter or coconut oil. I usually use Palmer's cocoa butter.

The most important thing with healing is avoiding infection! So wash/sanitise your hands well before moisturising the tattoo, because otherwise you can trap bacteria against what is essentially a healing wound.

When you moisturise, don't use so much that your tattoo sits in a layer of moisture. Use enough to ensure your skin absorbs it, and avoid creating a warm, moist environment that encourages bacterial growth.

Cleaning your tattoo
If you ever think your tattoo has been exposed to bacteria, wash your hands with antibacterial soap, then rinse your tattoo under running water and gently wash the area with hand soap, ideally something low in chemicals and fragrance-free. The brands that are really good for most skin types are Sanex and Simple. Rinse with water afterwards, and in the first couple of weeks, never dry your tattoo with a bath/hand towel — always dab gently with something single-use like a kitchen towel.

Some do's and don'ts:

If your tattoo scabs, don't pick it off.

If it itches, don't scratch it.

Try to avoid submerging in water for two weeks and don't get it in direct sunlight for 4 weeks.

Once it's healed, you can remove it, but please use sunscreen; otherwise, the pigments will break down and age much faster.

If you have any other questions, please email me. I always love seeing healed pictures, so feel free to send them to me anytime.