After Care
- Pay attention to what your tattooist tells you and do precisely what he or she instructs. We certainly know what product and healing technique works best for our own work and for our clients in particular. Keep in mind, if you change the aftercare for whatever reason the tattooist is not obliged to touch up your tattoo free of cost. It is your responsibility to take care of your tattoo once you leave the studio.
- DO NOT WRAP YOUR TATTOO AGAIN unless explicitly instructed to do so by our artist. It is extremely important to keep the tattoo clean after the protection has actually been taken off. Remember, your new tattoo is just like an open injury, do not forget that! Most tattooists advise hand-washing the tattoo extremely lightly though thoroughly with your (CLEAN) fingers, using an unscented, anti-bacterial soap. Allow it to air dry or lightly pat it dry with a clean paper towel. CLEAN. Everything you use or touch must be clean. You don’t want cat hairs sitting on your healing tattoo.
- It is very common that a new tattoo be sensitive, red or slightly inflamed. Most people experience some irritation a day or so after getting a new tattoo (it differs depending on the size, placement and amount of work in the tattoo). If these symptoms continues longer than 3 or 4 days, call our tattooist so you can set up a time to come to the shop so they can see it and advise you.
- Your tattoo will weep in the first couple of days. The fluid may be clear or slightly colored the same as your tattoo. This is normal, and it does not indicate that your tattoo is coming out. Just clean it regularly as instructed and it goes through the healing process. Your body knows how to heal itself, you are merely assisting it.
- Keep your tattoo slightly moist. If you allow it to dry out it can lead to a thick scab formation and you don’t want that. Drying out your tattoo can cause it to slow the recovery procedure and could even harm the tattoo. Your tattooist will likely advise a cream or ointment to use and how often to apply to your new tattoo. DO NOT OVERSATURATE your tattoo! Too much ointment on your tattoo and it cannot breathe. A very light coat is all that’s needed. Patting off excess ointment, it should barely even shiny. A dab is all you need.
- Within a couple of days to a week, a thin layer of skin will start to peel or flake off from the whole tattoo, just like the peeling you receive from sunburn. Again, this is totally normal. It is essentially the scabby layer and dead skin coming off. Do not scratch it or play with it! It will probably itch throughout this time, do not scratch! Your tattoo will still be extremely delicate and you could end up scratching it open. One remedy for the itch is to apply moisturizer thick it will help the dead skin to peel off smoothly. (Moisturizer can be applied 3times in a day with a gap of 4hours)
- Do not soak your tattoo for at least two weeks from the day it’s been done. So no bathing for at least 2days, avoid gym or swimming for a week’s time.
- Do not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight for at least two weeks! UV rays damage the skin, and will fade your tattoo’s color. This applies forever. Even after your tattoo heals.
- Your tattoo may take between 1 to 3 weeks to recover. Again, the healing process will depend on your skin type, on the aftercare product you use, the size, position, and style of the tattoo. A full color tattoo will generally take longer to heal than a grey shaded piece. If you get a rash or any type of unusual signs on or around the tattoo, contact us immediately.
- Avoid working out. Tattoos covering big areas or those that are near joints (such as elbows and knees), may take longer if the skin is required to move too much, either during intense workouts or other physical activity. Working out could also cause the skin to break and become irritated, extending the tattoos healing procedure. Well, there you have it! Healing a tattoo is truly not all that challenging. Normally individuals make mistakes when they think too much and begin to overdo things. By using good quality tattoo Aftercare products, it minimizes the threat of infection and helps to prevent/minimize scabbing, hence assisting the body to heal faster. (And some don’t use anything at all on healing tattoos. Experience will guide you over time. Follow the advice of our artist till then.)Do not forget! Looking after your tattoo isn’t really just for a week or so, it’s for life! The better condition your skin is in, the better the tattoo will look and last over the years. Moisturize daily and make use of sun block on every occasion. Bright, clean, crisp tattoos are a fantastic thing to have. The body art you collect will stay with you for the rest of your life. So it’s well worth the time and efforts to appropriately care for them while they are healing, and then beyond. (Remember, the less sun they get, the longer they will stay bright.)