Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Please Read Thoroughly.

The “Wet” Method (Recommended)

This is my preferred aftercare for most of my clients, particularly for larger sittings, full colour detailed work and more heavily worked areas. This is a less conventional method but tends to work well for larger tattoos, as well as for tattoos in awkward areas that will be covered with clothing, since clothing can cause irritation. If you found that your tattoos have healed poorly in the past, this method may be an effective alternative.

After you leave the studio you will have been cleaned and bandaged; remove the bandage after 3-4 hours and clean the skin with mild soap and warm water.

After washing, gently pat it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel, then allow it to air-dry for 15 minutes. When the tattoo is dry to the touch, apply a THIN layer of barrier cream. I recommend Butterluxe Balm (not butter) which I supply at the studio. Then cover it completely with a new piece of plastic wrap, using small pieces of tape as needed to hold it in place. 

With this method, the tattoo is kept completely covered with plastic wrap 24 hours a day, usually for 48-72 hours. It is important to wash the tattoo at least twice per day or every 4-6 hours and after any period of sweating, letting it completely air-dry afterwards, and applying a new piece of plastic wrap each time. 

It’s also important not to over-wrap the area, unnecessarily covering untattooed skin, which can trap excess moisture.  

After 48/72 hours the tattoo has done a major portion of the healing process without yet forming a scab. The plastic should then be removed and the skin should be allowed to completely dry out and start the next phase. When the peeling begins after the initial 2-3 days, the tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn. At all costs, avoid picking at the cracked and flaking skin. The area may become dry and itchy and a good quality, fragrance-free lotion can now be used until the skin returns to its normal texture, I recommend Butterluxe which I provide at your appointment.

For most people I recommend the use of Butterluxe Balm or Bepanthen, as it seems to greatly improve the experience and work well for the majority of people and has antibacterial properties to minimise the risk of infection. Continue the moisturizing process AS NEEDED; there is no set limit and, depending on what you use, time will vary. I usually recommend moisturizing 2-3 times a day (again, AS NEEDED) so pay attention to your skin and if it dries out, simply re-apply. After a few days and when the peeling has finished your initial heal is complete. Moisturizing your skin is not a bad habit so you are welcome to continue as you see fit.

Troubleshooting:

Moisture can be very detrimental to the healing process. Too much plastic wrap on the surrounding untattooed skin—or not changing the wrap often enough—can lead to development of a moisture rash. This will appear as bright red irritation with tiny pimples around the effected area, and will likely feel painful and itchy. If this happens, do not re-wrap the tattoo or try to medicate it. Instead, let it dry completely and peel on its own. Apply lotion to the area once irritation has diminished.

Method 2 The”Dry” Method (Standard- I recommend for black and grey and for simple tattoos with less tattooed surface area)

After you leave the studio you will have been cleaned and bandaged; remove the bandage after 3-4 hours. Don’t remove the bandage until you can properly clean the tattoo with mild soap and warm water. Rinse it well, sloughing off as much of the slimy coating that may have formed over the tattooed area while underneath the bandage. Gently pat it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel, then allow it to air-dry for 15 minutes before applying aftercare.

Apply your specialty tattoo-healing product to the tattoo as needed, I recommend Butterluxe Balm, massaging a very small amount into the skin to keep the tattoo slightly moist, but NOT smothered. Use just enough ointment to make the tattoo slightly shiny, and blot off any excess. For the first day or two, your tattoo may require more cleaning or blotting, as the traumatised skin will still be losing a small amount of fluid. Ensure that extra moisture doesn’t get trapped under the ointment, by blotting and air-drying after each washing.

The healing tattoo should never stay submerged in water. Therefore, limit yourself to only short showers until the tattoo has finished peeling. It’s also important that a fresh tattoo be protected from the sun and dirty environments, as it’s still an open wound at this time. All normal activities involving water or sun exposure can usually be resumed after 10-14 days.Only apply ointment for as long as it takes for your tattoo to peel, usually 3-7 days. When the peeling begins, the tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn. At all costs avoid picking at the cracked and flaking skin. When the tattoo has fully entered the peeling phase you should NOT apply any more ointment. The area will become dry and itchy, and a good quality, fragrance-free lotion can now be used until the skin returns to its normal texture.

Troubleshooting:

If bubbles form on the surface of the fresh tattoo, stop applying ointment, letting it dry and peel on its own. This bubbling is caused by moisture getting trapped in your tattoo, usually from too much ointment, and could lead to scabbing. If scabs develop, they can remove the colour beneath them if prematurely removed. It’s important that they’re allowed to dry out completely, and not get waterlogged at any time. The scab will eventually fall off on its own, and the tattoo should be fine if no deep cracks have formed.

Second Skin Bandage

After you leave the studio you will have been cleaned and bandaged with second skin which is a thin layer of adhesive bandage. If your tattoo has leaked outside the bandage you can continue with the following steps sooner (sometimes I will use a white pad to avoid this depending on the placement of your tattoo). It is worth noting at this point that your tattoo will look a bit gross underneath the bandage as any excess liquid from your fresh tattoo will create a puddle within the bandage, this is nothing to worry about and as long as it isn’t leaking outside the edges of the bandage you can leave it for the day.

Remove the bandage after 24 hours (I find it easiest to remove the bandage in the shower and stretch the bandage against the skin whilst lifting from a corner to lift it off gently) and clean it thoroughly but gently with mild soap and warm water.

After washing, gently pat it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel, then allow it to air-dry for 15 minutes. Once the tattoo is dry to the touch it is time to reapply your next piece of second skin. Following the numbers on the sheet, remove the white backing from the sheet, stick it on trying to avoid any bubbles or creases and ensure it is stuck down at the edges. Then from the middle line you can lift of the clear top layer to reveal the thin bandage underneath. It is vitally important that you ensure your tattoo is clean and dry before reapplying the bandage to avoid infection.

You can leave your second-skin bandage on for 3-5 days which should allow your tattoo to get straight to the flaking phase of healing. Do not panic if it comes off sooner just follow the next steps going forward.
When it is time to remove your bandage, wash your tattoo again as before and once it is dry you can start using some aftercare balm. Once the second skin process is done, the tattoo has done a major portion of the healing process without yet forming a scab. If you get any peeling on your tattoo, the tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn. At all costs, avoid picking at the cracked and flaking skin. The area may become dry and itchy and a good quality, fragrance-free lotion can now be used until the skin returns to its normal texture. 

Whilst your tattoo is healing you must avoid soaking your bandage and tattoo in water, so no swimming/baths/saunas etc. Whilst second-skin is water resistant, too much water will not only cause your bandage to come off but will also have a damaging impact on your tattoo. Showering is fine but I recommend avoiding prolonged soaking for 2 weeks or until your tattoo is fully healed.

For most people I recommend the use of Butterluxe balm, as it seems to greatly improve the experience and work well for the majority of people (for those like myself who find Bepanthen too fatty and sticky, it is much less painful to apply and far more effective). Please be sure to only use a very THIN layer of aftercare, too much moisture is not good for fresh tattoos! You can also use a moisturiser like Palmers Cocoa Butter or Dream Cream from Lush. Continue the moisturising process AS NEEDED; there is no set limit and, depending on what you use, time will vary. I usually recommend moisturising 2-3 times a day (again, AS NEEDED) so pay attention to your skin and if it dries out, simply re-apply. After a few days and when the peeling has finished your initial heal is complete. Moisturising your skin is not a bad habit so you are welcome to continue as you see fit.

Troubleshooting:
A lot of people report an “allergic reaction” to second skin. This is often not the case. Second skin often causes the skin to retract and tighten, and the adhesive is quite strong so it is likely your tattoo will feel mildly itchy whilst your bandage is on. Unless you have a physical reaction to the bandage like a visible rash etc it is likely that the bandage is just causing mild irritation so often just requires patience! Obviously in the event of a rash forming or anything out of the ordinary, remove the bandage immediately. Also, you may find that when you remove your bandage there are some remnants of glue, this is perfectly normal, try not to scrub and pick, they will come off naturally as time passes, it’s pretty sticky!

Note:

A combination of methods is not recommended. Please only use one or the other. Remember that until your new tattoo peels, it’s an open wound, and needs to be treated as one. Give your tattoo the time and attention it needs to properly heal. Engaging in actions such as swimming, tanning, removing the bandage early, and general disregard for it, are done at your own peril. If you suspect an infection has developed, please seek medical attention immediately, as untreated tattoo infections can have very serious consequences.