Aftercare
Properly looking after your tattoo is extremely important.
How you look after your tattoo in the first two weeks of healing can make a huge difference to the final outcome. Please read and follow the aftercare instructions carefully.
Step 1: Remove the dressing after the first 2 hours
The dressing serves a dual purpose: firstly, it shields your fresh tattoo from potential infectious contaminants like dirt, unwashed hands, and airborne bacteria. Additionally, it prevents the discharge of blood and lymph fluid from staining your clothes. The fluid that leaks from your skin is natural and a healthy part of skin beginning to heal. The wrap keeps this locked in for a couple of hours and helps to seal up the tattoo.
Step 2: Wash your tattoo with soap and water
Wash your hands first, then wash the tattoo straight away after taking the dressing off. Wash thoroughly with warm (not hot) water, a mild fragrance free antibacterial soap and a clean washcloth. Be gentle. It is important to remove all the dried blood, ink and Vaseline. This is the only time you will use a washcloth in the healing phase. The skin should feel soft and smooth to touch, if there is a slimy layer still on the skin continuing washing. Then pat dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Step 3: Leave the tattoo open and without cream
Your tattoo doesn’t need any cream for the first 24 hours. The body heals well on its own and applying cream can interfere with the naturally healing process. Let it breathe.
Step 4: First Night
Sleep in clean sheets. Wear loose clean clothing over the tattoo. If the tattoo leaks and sticks to the fabric, slowly wet down the clothing in the shower and slowly unstick the tattoo. Do not pull it off, as that could cause a scab. Be super delicate!
Step 5: First Two Weeks
Wash morning and night with warm water and mild soap. Be very gentle, do not use a washcloth.
Pat it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Apply a thin layer of cream. You don’t want to have too much on the skin as it can interfere with the healing process. Apply 1-2 times a day. I recommend Hustle Butter Aftercare Cream.
Wear loose clothing over the tattoo
Follow the list ‘Other Important Instructions’ below
Other Important Instructions:
1. Do not scratch and avoid touching the tattoo as much as possible. If a scab does form, do not pick at it
Your tattoo will probably feel itchy but you must not scratch it. Itching a fresh tattoo is likely to cause ink fall out or scarring.
If a scab should form, do not scratch at it or help it to fall off. Apply a thin layer cream to help to ease the itching, making sure to remove the excess cream.
2. Avoid excessive water exposure for the first 2 to 3 weeks
Do not swim or soak your tattoo in water for the first 2-3 weeks.
Showering is fine, just don’t soak it. Also do not allow water to beat down on your tattoo, this could damage it or cause it to prematurely flake leading to pigment loss. Keep the water warm, not hot.
Chlorinated water needs to be avoided for 4 weeks
3. Avoid direct sunlight for 30 days
Do not expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight. A new tattoo has no sunblocking capabilities and will sunburn in as little as 3 minutes in direct sunlight.
Do not apply sunscreen in the first two weeks, cover when outside and avoid the sun.
4. Avoid tight clothing for 2 weeks
This is important, tight clothing can rub and cause scarring. Wear loose clothing.
Avoid wearing anything that will rub on the skin. If you have to wear something that will rub the skin, apply a dressing whilst you are wearing it, but it is far better to avoid tight things for the first 1-2 weeks.
5. Natural fibers are best, nylons or potlesters can slow down the healing process
Synthetic fibers can rub and wear off the natural protective coating on your skin and can increase healing time and leave the tattoo more vulnerable. Natural fibers, like cotton or linen are best.
6. Wash new clothes before wearing them
New clothing can carry excess toxic chemicals that could impact the healing process. Wash brand new clothes before wearing them over a tattoo.
7. Avoid intense exercise
Physical activity can cause excess sweat which can impact the healing process of the tattoo. It can also cause the skin to constantly expand and contract which can lead to scabbing.
Rest as much as you can. Your body is healing a wound and your immune system is processing the new ink. Taking it easy can help your body do the best it can to heal.
8. Stay healthy and look after yourself
Stay hydrated, eat healthy foods, get a good amount of sleep and if you can, avoid alcohol.
9. Do not apply any other products for the first 3 weeks
The only products to go on the tattoo for the first 3 weeks are the mild soap, aftercare cream or a sensitive moisturiser.
Do not apply fake tan, sunscreen or any other kind of topical product.
10. No contact sports or sauna
The tattoo cannot be bumped, this could cause scarring. It is not worth the risk to play a contact sport or engage in anything that could lead to the tattoo getting bumped. Wait 2-3 weeks before playing sports again.
Also avoid anything that will lead to excess sweating, wait 2 weeks before using a sauna.
11. Avoid contact with animals
Lower the risk of infection by avoiding contact with animals. If the tattoo comes in contact with an animal, wash directly after.