Aftercare
Your tattoo or piercing not only represents you, but also the quality and reputation our tattoo artists and our studio.
Tattoo Aftercare
Please remember whilst tattooing your skin is being traumatized and during the healing process you should treat it as an open wound, keeping it clean and rested. It is natural for your skin to sometimes swell, feel sore, bruise and look painful.
Please note this aftercare advice is our guideline as healing can alter from person to person, all skin types are individual, and people heal differently. If you don't follow this advice your tattoo is likely to not heal very well and potentially get infected, in some rare cases the tattoo may even heavily scab with puss coming out, this, in our experience only occurs with poorly looked after tattoos. Your tattooist will recommend one of two types of aftercare methods for your new tattoo:
DURING HEALING
DO NOT – participate in heavy exercise, sunbathe, go swimming, use sunbeds or saunas, rub the new tattoo, pick or scratch the scab, re-cover (except when instructed by the tattooist or to protect from exposure from possible hazards).
AVOID – Perfume, fake tanning, dirt, oil, grease, paint, industrial cleaners, caustic substances, raw meat, non-tattoo creams or ointments.
We do not recommend Bepanthen as it is not designed for tattoos. If you use other kinds of moisturizers or creams which are not specifically designed for healing a tattoo you run the risk of compromising the quality of the tattoo. They may also contain ingredients that could prolong the healing and or bleach the color of the tattoo.
APPLICATION OF AFTERCARE BALM - Lightly smear the balm over the whole of the tattoo with clean hands, from the first day until it is fully healed. Do not satirize the fresh tattoo with the balm, just use a small amount.
HEALED TATTOOS - When the tattoo is exposed to the sun for a long period of time use a high factor sun cream (SPF50). You may also find that using a cream that is made specifically for tattoos ever so often will help keep your tattoo looking fresh and vibrant.
If you have any concerns regarding your new tattoo, especially if you think it has swelled too much or is too painful or itchy, please contact us first before consulting a doctor. In most cases, we have seen or experienced these symptoms, and they are normal or due to poor aftercare
Method One, Clingfilm
The tattooist will protect your tattoo with a wrap of clingfilm to help keep it clean and moist. Keep the clingfilm wrap on for approximately 2-3 hours after tattooing. You then may be advised by the tattooist to rewrap your tattoo with clingfilm. This is to continue to help keep the fresh tattoo clean and protected from bacteria. Try not to wear tight-fitting clothes over your fresh tattoo during this healing process.
After 2-3hours have passed from the tattoo being done remove the cling film wrap. On removal of the cling film wrap, wash your hands first then gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water using a mild soap. We recommend a fragrance-free soap available to buy from our studio. Pat dry with a clean paper towel and apply a tattoo aftercare balm again we recommend Aftercare available to buy from our studio. Repeat a minimum of 4 times daily until healing is complete. Usually, healing will take between 3-4 weeks depending on the tattoo and its location on the body.
Do not redress the tattoo after the original dressing has been removed. Just continue to apply aftercare as advised above.
If at any point, any part of the tattoo is left to breathe for too long and dry out, do not continue to re-wrap the tattoo, just continue with the aftercare as advised. Do not wear tight clothes, wash and clean and apply aftercare balm as advised above. Once your fresh tattoo is exposed, it will have a higher chance of infection. This is very rare and should be a very minimum risk if you follow our aftercare advice.
If you feel like you are having a reaction to wearing the cling film like a rash or itchiness, do not continue to re-wrap the tattoo, just continue with the aftercare as advised above, and if concerned please contact us.
Method two, Second Skin
The Tattooist may apply a sticky second skin film, called either Dermalize, Saniderm, Yayo Guard or EZ 2nd Skinz. You are advised to leave this on for up to 5 days. Please do not take this off when you get home so you can see your new tattoo!!
During this period, you will not need to apply any aftercare. Under the second skin, the tattoo will go gooey, this is normal and will be absorbed back into your skin helping keep the tattoo moist. You may need to trim some edges down to help stop it peeling off and accidentally catching on clothing. Try not to wear tight-fitting clothes over your fresh tattoo during the healing process. The second skin is breathable and can be showered in, but do not bath or swim with it on.
You will probably not be able to see your tattoo very well under the second skin, this is normal. The goo/Plasma is not the ink coming out of the skin, your friends may tell you the tattoo shouldn't look like that, but it should. They may tell you; you should take the second skin off when you get home. Please do not do this, not with this method, they are thinking of the cling film method. Please do as your Tattooist has advised and not your friends.
You may experience some of the goo/plasma seeping out of the bottom or a corner, this is normal, use some clean kitchen roll and dab the goo away, you can even squeeze some of the goo out, so it doesn’t leak as much. If the Tattooist has given you some extra second skin use this to patch the hole back up or use some micropore tape.
After the 5 days or if the second skin comes off sooner than advised, apply a tattoo aftercare ideally every 3-4 hours to help keep the tattoo moisturized. The aftercare we recommend the aftercare available from the studio. Repeat a minimum of 4 times daily until healing is complete - usually, healing will take between 2-3 weeks depending on the tattoo and its location on the body.
When the time comes to remove the second skin, do so in the shower. Soak the area with soapy water and gently peel back the second skin. Do this gently as you may irritate the skin if you quickly pull it off. If it is in an area which is hard to reach, ask someone to do this for you.
There may be some sticky residue leftover from the second skin, this can sometimes be stubborn to remove, but do not try to scrub it off, you will only irritate the skin. It will eventually wash off in the next couple of showers with normal washing.
In some cases, the skin may have reddened within the tattoo or around it where the second skin has been stuck, again this is normal, and down to the skin moving underneath the second skin irritating it a little. This should settle after a few days and applying the tattoo aftercare to the red skin should also help it settle.
If for some reason your second skin comes off after a day or so do not rewrap, please keep your tattoo clean and moisturized. Do not wear tight clothes, wash and clean and apply aftercare balm as advised. Once your fresh tattoo is exposed, it will have a higher chance of infection. This is very rare and should be a very minimum risk if you follow our aftercare advice.
If you feel like you are having a reaction to the second skin like a rash or itchiness, remove and continue with the aftercare as advised above. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any problems or questions about the second skin.
Touch Ups
Sometimes a tattoo can need revisiting. We offer free touch-ups for tattoos that have been done at our studio within 3 months. If you think your tattoo requires a touch-up, please pop in and talk to one of the team. If we agree that a touch- up is needed, then an appointment can be made with the artist. Touch-ups are usually done at the end of the day and will fit around the artist's other appointments, sorry but it's rare that we'll be able to do touch-ups on Saturdays.
IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS REGARDING YOUR NEW TATTOO, ESPECIALLY IF YOU THINK IT HAS SWELLED TOO MUCH OR IS TOO PAINFUL OR ITCHY, PLEASE CONTACT US FIRST BEFORE CONSULTING A DOCTOR. IN MOST CASES WE HAVE SEEN OR EXPERIENCED THESE SYMPTOMS, AND THEY ARE NORMAL OR DUE TO POOR AFTERCARE.
General Info for Aftercare
Traditional Healing
Tagaderm / Saniderm / Second Skin
GENERAL INFO
For all tattoos, large and small, leave the bandage on for the first night; remove in the morning when showering.
Wash your tattoo with dye free, scent free soap (preferably antibacterial) and warm water (as warm as you can handle). Pat dry with clean paper towels {do not rub/wipe), or allow to air dry. Apply a THIN layer of ointment, such as Aquaphor, or other various aftercare products designed for tattoo's, such as H20cean, Tattoo Goo or After Inked. Remember, the skin needs to breath while healing, so make sure not to use an excessive amount of ointment. Re-apply ointment every 2 hours and wash your tattoo with soap and warm water at least 2-3 times a day for the first four days.
GENERAL AFTERCARE INSTRUCTION
Traditional Healing Method
For all tattoos, large and small, leave the bandage on for the first night; remove in the morning when showering.
Wash your tattoo with dye free, scent free soap (preferably antibacterial) and warm water (as warm as you can handle). Pat dry with clean paper towels (do not rub/wipe), or allow to air dry. Apply a THIN layer of ointment, such as Aquaphor, or other various aftercare products designed for tattoo's, such as H2Ocean, Tattoo Goo or After Inked. Remember, the skin needs to breath while healing, so make sure not to use an excessive amount of ointment. Re-apply ointment every 2 hours and wash your tattoo with soap and warm water at least 2-3 times a day for the first four days.
With proper care, your tattoo should begin to peel within the first three to five days, much like a sunburn does. Do not pick or scratch at the peeling scabs, your body will naturally let them flake off when it is ready. When the tattoo begins peeling, the first layer of skin is exfoliating; again, let it peel on its own! Once the layer of peeling has stopped, stop using ointment and switch to a colorless, fragrance free lotion (we recommend Curel).
Be mindful of keeping your tattoo clean and prevent it from drying out. If your tattoo/skin is feeling "tight", or if it has been more than 2 hours .... Moisturize! Take excellent care of your investment (tattoo) during the healing process. All touch-ups will require a setup fee; so take excellent care, follow the instructions, and please contact us if you have any questions.
Tegaderm / Saniderm/ Second Skin/ Healing Methods
If you have opted to have Tegaderm applied, here's what you need to know. Tegaderm is a thin barrier film applied to your tattoo the day following your appointment. Though it is possible to do it yourself with proper instruction, we highly recommend it be applied by a professional here at the shop. Tegaderm provides an air permeable layer that eliminates the need to go through the first 5 days of washing and ointment applications. In our experience, we have found that it also eliminates many of the problems encountered during the healing process, usually resulting in a perfectly healed tattoo! On day 5, when it is time to remove the Tegaderm, DO NOT JUST PULL IT OFF!!! You risk the chance of pulling out ink and damaging your tattoo. Tegaderm should be removed in the shower after letting the warm water run over it for at least 10 minutes. This will loosen the film and skin, allowing the tegaderm to be pulled off slowly and with care. Once the Tegaderm has been removed, you will still need to keep your tattoo moisturized for the next 2 weeks. Use a colorless and fragrance free lotion. We have several aftercare products at the shop. If Tegaderm is something you are interested in, please speak with your artist. They will be more than happy to discuss whether it will be the right choice for your tattoo.
Working out ?
Please abstain from going to the gym or using tanning beds while your tattoo is healing. These are breeding grounds for sweat and bacteria that can cause staph infections and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus {MRSA). Avoid pools, hot tubs, beaches and situations where the tattoo would be submerged or exposed to sand and/or dirt.
How do I take care of my tattoo?
You will receive and aftercare packet when you leave. If you misplace your packet, we have aftercare instructions posted on this website under our Aftercare Page. If you have any questions or concerns please contact your artist or contact the shop.
ALWAYS feel free to give us a call. There's no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to aftercare. We want your tattoo to heal great and look great years from now.