AFTERCARE GUIDELINES

How you care for your new tattoo will significantly influence how well it will heal and look for the rest of your life.

Your artist will advise the best aftercare method for your particular tattoo, however here are some general tips and guidelines:

The main aftercare process and healing process should last around 2 weeks.
Fine lines heal quickly and bolder tattoos with thicker lines can take longer.
The overall healing process depends on your body and how you look after your tattoo whilst it’s healing.

If you are able to, you can take Ibuprofen to ease any swelling and Paracetamol for pain relief.
Your tattoo is an open wound, so use your common sense as you would with a graze or any other surface wound to your skin.

Keep the cling film on for 2-3 hours, then remove it and wash with plain soap and water, being sure to be gentle yet thorough.
Pat it dry with a clean paper towel and only re-wrap your tattoo with fresh cling film if you have been advised to by your artist.
When you remove the clingfilm, it’s very normal for a layer of black ‘gunk’ to come off as the skin purges excess ink and plasma from the body - particularly with larger, highly saturated tattoos. Please don’t panic about this - it’s the first stage of the healing process and the ink has not fallen out!

Whilst your tattoo is healing, make sure to wear clean clothes and it’s always a good idea to put a fresh set of sheets on your bed.
If you have had your legs or feet tattooed, try to stay off your feet when you can - literally putting your feet up can help to reduce the swelling and facilitate the healing process.
If you have had your hands or fingers tattooed, practice good hand washing hygiene and avoid any manual labour as much as possible, washing up included!

On your artist’s advice, you can begin applying a thin layer of unscented moisturiser up to 4 times a day, until your tattoo is healed.
We recommend Palmer’s Cocoa Butter which is available in most pharmacies.
We do not recommend petroleum based products such as Vaseline.
Your body heals the tattoo, not the cream - the cream is to keep your skin from drying out and causing discomfort.

Do not soak your tattoo - stay away from baths, swimming activities, steam rooms and saunas until your tattoo is fully healed.
Limit showers to 10 minutes. Submerging the tattoo for extended periods of time will draw the ink out, causing your tattoo to appear patchy.
Do not pick or scratch your tattoo. Any scab that forms will fall away when it is ready - picking will result in uneven healing.
Avoid direct sunlight - going out and about is fine but try to keep the tattoo covered during the healing process.
Sunbathing, the gym, sunbeds and and fake tan are also out until your tattoo is fully healed.
Once your tattoo is fully healed, we recommend applying sunscreen as this will help preserve the vibrancy of of your tattoo as it ages.

This is not an exhaustive list, please follow your artist’s advice.
If your tattoo should become infected, seek professional medical guidance.
If you are unsure or would like extra support, please get in touch.