Tattoo Aftercare

After your tattoo session you may feel shaky or exhausted, this is pretty normal, get yourself some snacks with protein and sugar, and if you can, have a nap, it’ll help a lot. Keep hydrated as this will help with the first few days of getting the tattoo. Keep your protein and sugars up

Once the tattoo is healed and you feel you need a touch up on certain spots, please contact the tattooist directly to get this sorted.

Different routes

Second skin;

1. Keep this on for a good 2-5 days (yes, showering is absolutely fine). The ink bubble, which is would fluids is pretty damn normal, we call it the ink sack. if anything leaks or it becomes irritated, remove the second skin - you can do this either with lukewarm water or in the shower, pull it slowly parallel to the wound. Once it’s removed wash gently with non fragrance soap and once it’s done, you can let it air dry or gently pat it with clean paper towel, when it’s completely dry please start applying your tattoo aftercare lotion.

Cling wrap;

1. Take it off once you get home, you can wash it with lukewarm water or in the shower with non fragrance soap. You can let it air dry, or gently pat it with clean paper towel, when it’s completely dry please start applying your tattoo aftercare lotion.

There are different tattoo aftercare lotions, the main one we always recommend is Palmer's cocoa butter, if you are allergic to cocoanut then a tattoo balm like Butterluxe or Hustle Butter are both great and we recommend them.

What to expect

Day 1-3: Oozy Phase - expect plasma, excess ink and slight oozing (This is not a sign of infection, it’s how the body is reacting to multiple open wounds in one area).

The tattoo can look super shiny and vibrant - this not how your tattoo will look like when healed. It will be slightly raised (swelling).

Day 3-7: The itchy gross scabby phase - skin starts to feel tight and itchy, PLEASE DON’T GIVE IN TO THE ITCH, OKAY?!

Flacking is normal, you may have small scabs - PLEASE DON’T PICK THEM, OKAY?!

Colour may look a little dull, this is temporary.

Day 7-14: Erm tattoo disappearing? - NOPE, it’s going to peel like a sunburn, it’s pretty normal, we usually call it the snakeskin affect, just your dead skin cells coming off. Keep it moisturised!

Healing do’s

Wear clean, loose clothes that don’t rub on your skin.

Change bed sheets & towels to avoid any unnecessary animal hair or germs in general.

Always wash your hands before touching your healing tattoo.

Let your tattoo BREATHE - apply thin layers of aftercare lotion 2-3 times a day.

Always apply sunscreen to your healed tattoo, this will help A LOT with avoiding harsh fading from the sun.

Healing don’ts

Don’t soak it in water when it’s healing, yes that means no baths, swimming pools, lakes, hot tubs, sauna.

Don’t expose to direct sunlight during the healing period.

Don’t gym hard while the tattoo is healing, sweat can build up and become gross.

Don’t shave, scratch or pick at it.

Avoid lotions with perfumes, essential oils, alcohol, Vaseline and zinc.