Tattoo Aftercare
We care as much about your new tattoo as you do, and there’s a few things you need to do to keep your tattoo looking sharp.. and healthy.
After your tattoo is complete, your artist will place a ‘second skin’ over the work to protect it. This is either a second-skin patch or plastic wrap – both act as a protective barrier for the first stage of the healing process.
SECOND - SKIN
Your second-skin lets you get on with life. It’s water resistant, so you can shower with it, but avoid prolonged water exposure. Wear loose clothing too if you can, to avoid abrasion to the area.
While you’re wearing the second-skin, you might notice the surface underneath accumulating slight moisture, which can make the tattoo look blurry. This is plasma building up from your skin and pulling up micro fragments of ink – it’s a completely normal part of the healing process.
Keep the second-skin on for a minimum of 1-2 days, and a maximum of 7 days after your appointment. After this, slowly and gently remove it under warm running water. The second-skin is meant to adhere tightly to your skin, so you might need to use some force when removing it. Don’t be alarmed if there are spots of ink on the second-skin – it’s those micro fragments again, and it’s normal.
If the second-skin causes any discomfort or begins to peel off before three days, remove it (the same way as above), wash the area thoroughly and once completely dry apply Tattoo Aftercare Balm.
Discomfort includes rare cases where an allergic reaction to adhesive bandages occur. This includes but not limited to red bumps, blistering and itchiness under the second skin in areas that are not tattooed.
Plastic wrap
After 1-2 hours remove the plastic wrap when you get home and rinse off the area with lukewarm water and a mild, unscented liquid soap. Your tattoo artist may recommend re-wrapping your new tattoo before going to bed – this is to make sure plasma run-off doesn’t dry out and cause irritation when you move in your sleep. If you do re-wrap your new ink, remove the wrap and rinse the area (as before) the following day, and use a very thin layer of quality Tattoo Aftercare Balm.
Red Hot Tips
For 10-12 days after you remove your second-skin or plastic wrap use your aftercare balm and be sure to apply only a smooth, very thin layer, enough to cover your new tattoo but please DON’T oversaturate the area, as this can impact healing. Keep it thin!
You know your body best! Keep in mind unsanitary surfaces, abrasive clothing and sweat can cause irritation, additional scarring and even infection.
Avoid submerging your tattoo in water, too, or exposing it to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time for a full month. Water exposure can cause serious infection, and direct sunlight can overly dry the area while it is healing or cause premature fading.
PLEASE NOTE: This advice intends to to aid the healing of your tattoo with the best possible pigment/ink retention, vibrancy and clarity - and to avoid inflection. If you require medical advice, please don’t hesitate to see your GP. Your Doctor will give you the best medical advice.
HOW LONG BEOFRE I CAN JUMP IN THE SHOWER AFTER MY NEW TATTY?