The Importance of Tattoo Aftercare
A tattoo is more than just a piece of art. It’s similar to a medical procedure because the artist uses a needle to insert the ink underneath your skin. Anytime you open the skin, you leave yourself vulnerable to infections and scarring.
Caring for your new tattoo can prevent those complications and ensure that the tattoo heals properly. Along with going to a reputable tattoo artist, you need to take care of your new tattoo at home. Aftercare starts as soon as your tattoo is done.
The artist will cover the area in a bandage or plastic wrap. This covering prevents bacteria from getting into your skin. It also protects the tattoo from rubbing onto your clothes and getting irritated. Keep the dressing on for as long as your tattoo artist recommends. It’ll help absorb any fluid or excess ink that leaks from the tattoo.
How to Take Care of Your New Tattoo
Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo!
- Remove the dressing 4-6 hours after getting your tattoo or according to your artist recommendation.
- Using only the palm of your hand (no rough cloths or sponges), wash your tattoo well with warm water and a fragrance free/non-scented soap.
- Gently pat your tattoo dry with a soft clean cloth or paper towel.
- Be gentle, do not rub, or use any rough fabrics.
- Only rewrap your tattoo if required to do so. This process will only be repeated if your tattoo artist recommends wrapping for a longer period.
- Leave your tattoo open for at least half an hour before rewrapping it again with cling wrap. The wrapping process coold last up to 3 days depending on the size and placement of your tattoo.
- Before applying any ointment, make sure your tattoo is completely dry and free of any moisture.
- With clean hands, rub a small amount of tattoo aftercare ointment on your tattoo.
- Make sure to rub the ointment in so that it is not shiny, or greasy. You want the thinnest amount possible.
- After the 3rd or 4th day your tattoo will begin to peel.
- This is normal! Do not pick at the skin.
- Use the aftercare ointment/cream for a minimum 2 weeks, once a day is enough.
Essential:
- Wear clean, soft clothing over your tattoo for the first 2 weeks, nothing abrasive or irritating.
- Do not pick, scratch, peel, slap, rub or irritate your tattoo. You may shower, but you may not bath or soak your tattoo for 2 weeks.
- No swimming, or saunas, nothing with stagnant water.
- Do not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight for at least 6 weeks, after that you must use sun block.
- Do not wear abrasive materials or jewellery that rubs against your tattoo while it is healing.
- Do not let anyone touch your tattoo, unless they wash their hands.
- Stay away from any type of contact sport or exercise that may stretch the skin of your new tattoo while it is healing.
- Do not let your pets or animals near your fresh tattoo.
Health & Safety (tattoos)
We hope we’ve made it clear by now that we are obsessed with hygiene and ensuring a perfect heal for your piercing(s) and of course any tattooing. Everything that touches our clients is either brand new or completely sterile through the processes laid out below.
We use only single-use sterile needles, which are then immediately discarded and, as per government regulations, are then incinerated by a recognised medical waste company.
Any and all of our stainless steel instruments endure a multi-step cleaning process. They are ultrasonically soaked in a chemical sterilising bath, then placed in an autoclave (a machine used before surgical procedures to sterilise equipment) to destroy all bacteria and potential viruses - such as HIV, Hepatitis, etc. For extra peace of mind, this autoclave is tested regularly.
In terms of our general equipment, we use nitrile or latex gloves, all disposable consumables are put straight to medical waste bins after their use, and all our instruments are kept in an ultraviolet sterilisation cabinet.
Our aftercare guides are crucial, we will advise you in-store but you can also consult them here.