Tattoo Aftercare
Your new tattoo has involved breaking the surface of your skin and there is a possibility that, if not cared for properly, your tattoo may become infected. By following the advice provided in this leaflet you will be reducing the chance of anything going wrong with your tattoo.
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HOW TO TREAT YOUR TATTOO
Your new tattoo is basically an area of tiny skin breaks which have been caused by the penetration of needles carrying ink into your skin. It is important that you keep wearing the “second skin”/ cling film applied by your tattooist until the next morning. This should provide enough time for the tattoo to stop bleeding or weeping.
Once you remove the “second skin”/ cling film, you should wash the tattoo gently with warm tap water and pat it dry with a clean tissue – try to avoid using towels, and don’t use towels that other people have been using.
Continue washing and drying your tattoo, wait a few days and apply a moisturising skin cream (your tattooist will recommend a cream, something like Nivea Soft is appropriate unless you are allergic to any of the ingredients) to stop the skin drying out and reduce scabbing.
Cream should continue to be applied 1 or 2 times a day to keep the skin moisturised until your tattoo is fully healed.
Everyone heals at a different rate and healing times depend on many factors. However, most peeling should disappear within approximately 2 weeks. Your new tattoo should be completely healed within about 4 to 5 weeks.
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SOME GENERAL TIPS FOR AFTERCARE OF YOUR TATTOO
If possible, shower rather than bathe during the healing period – this prevents unnecessary water exposure – always pat your tattoo dry with a separate towel or tissue until it is fully healed.
Do not pick your tattoo as this will increase the healing time and will also lessen the quality of your healed tattoo.
Avoid swimming, sunbathing and sunbeds until your tattoo has fully healed – sunlight and chlorine can interact with the inks in your tattoo causing irritation or inflammation of your skin.
Where possible, minimise the amount of “rubbing” from clothing by wearing loose fitting clothes around the area of the tattoo – this will minimise irritation of the skin around your new tattoo.
Keep your new tattoo covered if working in a dirty or dusty environment (only by breathable fabrics, do not put “second skin”/ cling film on your healing tattoo).
If you have any problems or questions at any time, then you should contact your tattooist. Full version of our aftercare can be found on our social media and website – contact details are provided below - to ask their advice in the first instance. It may be the case that they may refer you to your GP or reassure you that what you are seeing is part of the natural healing process. In an emergency, you should always seek medical attention either at your GP surgery or at a hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department.
