• Tattoo Aftercare

    Important Information!

  • Taking care of your tattoo is just as important as the tattooing process.

    To help heal your tattoos well, I have included both methods that I offer so please refer to your preferred aftercare and follow the instructions listed!

     

    Clingfilm

     

    • Keep your tattoo wrapped until the morning after your tattoo, but in this time you must wash and rewrap in fresh clingfilm. Do not leave the same wrap  that you left the studio with until the next morning.
    • Once you arrive home from your session, you can assess your tattoo. Usually by this point the clingfilm is in need of a refresh (there may be excess ink/blood/plasma or it may be falling off and exposing the tattoo)
    • HOW TO WE-WRAP YOUR TATTOO : 
      • Wash your hands
      • Remove cling film
      • Use warm water and antibacterial soap and gently remove excess ink
      • I recommend this is done in the shower. Please do not soak in the bath 
      • Allow to air dry or use a fresh clean towel
      • You can then apply a thin layer of aftercare and with fresh clingfilm re-wrap your tattoo. You may need micropore tape to secure it in place. 
    • You then will want to repeat this again anytime the clingfilm is needing a refresh (excess ink/blood/plasma, falling off etc), this is usually around every 3-4 hours. 
    • I highly recommend making sure there is a fresh re-wrap before you go to bed to ensure you are sleeping with a clean and secure wrap.  
    • In the morning, remove the clingfilm, repeat the same steps to clean it however this time you can then keep the clingfilm off.
    • Keep the tattoo clean by giving it a gentle wash 1-2 times a day, more if you have been particulary active. Wearing clean breathable clothing is recommended. 
    • Once your tattoo starts to dry you can now start applying aftercare more frequently. My aftercare recommendation is Cocoa butter, there are also other great tattoo aftercares available at the studio. 
    • Apply a thin layer of aftercare 2-3 times a day. Do this until your tattoo is fully healed (this is roughly 1-2 weeks). Please do not smother your tattoos, only a thin layer is needed. 
    • If you have any excessive redness/heat or swelling in this time, please contact me or your GP to check for an allergy/infection.

     

    Second Skin

    • I will wrap your tattoo in second skin at the end of your appointment. 
    • Please leave this wrap on for 4-5 days. (In some circumstances, I may recommend taking some second skin with you and re-wrapping it yourself after 24 hours, this will be stated at your appointment if necessary)
    • Over the next 4-5 days, you can leave the wrap alone. In this time you can shower but please do not soak in the bath. 
    • You may notice the excess ink/blood/plasma sat ontop of your skin, trapped underneath the second skin, this is normal and needs to be left. The only time this would need to be re-wrapped is if there are any gaps that make it no longer airtight. In this case it will need to be removed, cleaned and replaced. 
    • After 4-5 days, you may remove the second skin 
    • HOW TO REMOVE SECOND SKIN:
      • I would recommend doing this in the shower, you can use the warm water to help remove the wrap comfortably and then you can immediately clean it after. 
      • The best and easiest way to remove the second skin is by taking it off as you would a command strip. Instead of pulling it back on itself like a wax strip, pull parallel to your skin to stretch it and it should seperate itself from your skin easier. 
      • Take your time and do this under the running warm water 
      • Do not rip this off dry like a wax strip.
      • Clean any residue gently with clean hands and antibacterial soap.
      • Air dry or pat dry with a clean towel
      • You can then start applying aftercare in thin layers little and often until fully healed. (can take 1-2 weeks roughly)V   TG6B7Y8/

     

    WHAT TO AVOID WHEN HEALING YOUR TATTOO :

    This applies to both methods.

    • A tattoo is an open wound and will become itchy when healing, do not scratch and pick at it, as this may damage the tattoo and risk infection. 
    • Do not go swimming or soak in the bath. Avoid anything that would require you to submerge your tattoo in unclean water whilst it is healing. 
    • Do not use fake tan, perfume, cosmetics or use a sunbed whilst it is healing
    • Be mindful of pets, they may try to lick the tattoo or jump up and scratch your tattoo. Do not let this happen, if it does you need to wash it with antibacterial soap immediately. 
    • Avoid the gym for the first week of healing. If you do get sweaty, try clean the tattoo as soon as possible with antibacterial soap. Heat and sweat is a breeding ground for bacteria.
    • Be careful of the sun whilst healinig. Do not sun bathe, or have your tattoo out in the direct sun for too long, you do not want to risk it getting sunburnt.
    • Ink/blood/plasma will come out of your tattoo for the first few days of healing so be aware of this as it could potentially ruin your clothes or bedsheets.
    • If you have any concerns about infection, please contact me immediately and send an email with pictures of how you are healing. I can only advise you so far so I will always advise you to contact your GP if there is uncertainty. 

    I offer touch ups up to 1 year after the intial tattoo appointment. After the first year, there will be at least a minimum charge.

    Any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

    Thankyou,

    Gunbie.  

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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