Aftercare

The aftercare of a new tattoo is very important and the healed outcome of your tattoo can depend on how well you look after it

Please follow the below instructions carefully to ensure your new tattoo heals in the best way possible!

Your new tattoo is an open wound and should be treated as such, which is why proper aftercare is very important

1. Removing your wrap

After leaving your wrap on for a few hours after receiving your tattoo, remove it with clean hands.

2. Keeping it clean

Always wash and dry your hands well before handling your new tattoo. Wash your tattoo gently with warm water and dry it with a clean towel. Avoid picking/scratching at your new tattoo.

3. Apply ointment

The day after receiving your tattoo, you can start moisturising it. Moisturise it 2-3 times daily, with a mild fragrance free lotion. Use a small amount to make sure that your tattoo is well moisturised but not over saturated. Please avoid any petroleum based products such as vaseline/paw paw ointment as this can affect the healing of your tattoo. I recommend using bepanthen. This can be found at the supermarket/pharmacies.

4. Wear comfortable loose clothing

Please make sure that you are allow your new tattoo to breathe. Avoid any clothes made of scratchy materials. Soft, loose clothing is best, especially for the initial stages of healing.

5. Please avoid the following things whilst your tattoo is healing

- Sun exposure on your tattoo

-Scratching or picking at your tattoo

-Swimming/submerging your tattoo in water. This includes, spa pools, baths, swimming pools etc (showering if fine)

- Fake tan, please wait a minimum of 2 weeks before applying fake tan over the top of your new tattoo

- Excessive sweating for the first 48 hours

What you can expect while your tattoos heal:

Healing times for a tattoo can vary based on several factors, including the size and location of the tattoo, your skin type, and how well you care for it during the healing process. Generally your tattoo will appear to be healed from 2-4 weeks, however, while the outer layer of your skin may appear healed it can take 3-6 months to fully heal.

Immediately after your tattoo, it is normal for your tattoo to be red and slightly swollen. The redness and swelling should go down over a couple of days. After about a week, your tattoo will begin to peel and scab. This is just the outer later of the skin shedding and is a completely normal part of the healing process.

Please reach out to me directly if you have ANY concerns about how your tattoo is healing.

Some important info to know:

SUN EXPOSURE is bad for your new tattoo for a number of reasons. Since your new tattoo is an open wound, sun exposure can lead to discomfort, burning and inflammation. UV rays from the sun can cause the ink to fade prematurely, protecting your tattoo from the sun will help to maintain its vibrancy and detail. Sun exposure can also increase the risk of infection by drying out the skin and creating an environment conductive to bacteria. Sun exposure can also delay the healing process potentially causing complications such as increased swelling, scabbing and prolonged healing times.

SWIMMING increases risk of infection, pools, spa pools, lakes and oceans can harbour bacteria and other pathogens. Chlorine and other chemicals found in swimming pools can irritate the skin and may cause inflammation or other reactions. Exposure to salt water can cause the ink to fade, affecting the clarity and vibrancy of the tattoo.