Tattoo Aftercare

  1. Once we’ve finished tattooing and taking photos, I’ll wrap up your tattoo either in a paper-based adhesive bandage called Fixomull, or in Vaseline and cling wrap if you have any allergies to adhesives. This is to protect your new tattoo in your travels back home, or to wherever it is that you can safely do your own aftercare.

  2. If you’ve opted for Fixomull, leave this on for 2-5 days, and take off in the shower when you’re ready to. Whilst you have this bandage on, you won’t have to do any aftercare: the bandage will get wet when you shower, but it’ll dry off on its own. Once you take the adhesive off, just follow the regular aftercare steps below.

  3. Don’t leave your cling wrap on for more than 4 hours! This is especially important during summer. Take off the wrap when you’re in a place that you’re able to perform proper aftercare.

  4. Carefully wash your tattoo in warm soapy water, ideally using an unscented soap that’s PH neutral: cetaphil, dermaveen, QV soap, a goats milk soap are all great options. If all you have is a perfumed soap bar, just give your tattoo a wash with warm water instead.

  5. Once washed, allow the tattoo to air-dry. Don’t dry with a towel or paper towel, as you don’t want to be irritating the tattoo or rubbing any kind of towel fibers into it.

  6. Once your tattoo is nice and dry, gently apply an aftercare product of your choice! Aftercare products I recommend are Inky Tattoo Salve, jojoba oil, coconut oil, or a simple fragrance-free moisturizer. Please don’t use any products that are petroleum based, like Vaseline and pawpaw ointment: these will dry your skin out and not aide in healing.

  7. There is no need to re-wrap your tattoo. The tattoos I do generally aren’t super oozy, so unless it’s a really dark or saturated colour tattoo and you have very white sheets, just leave your tattoo unwrapped.

  8. Try to apply aftercare balm 2-3 times a day, especially if your tattoo is in an area that is quite dry, ie: elbows, outer upper arms, shins, etc. This will help your tattoo heal up nicely and with less itchiness.

Ok, so that’s about it for general aftercare. Also, please remember:

  • No submersion in water. Showering is fine, but no soaking those tattoos in baths, the sea, lakes, pools etc. Please wait until they’re nice and scab free!

  • Keep them out of the sun! Keep them covered for the first few days, and once they’re feeling scabby or dry, you can start wearing a nice gentle high SPF sunscreen.

  • No scratching! If your tattoo is feeling itchy, which it almost definitely will, give it a light slep to alleviate the itch.

  • I don’t use second skin for my clients, as I’ve had some people who have had adverse reactions to it. Like I mentioned above, I prefer to use Fixomull and generally have some on hand.

  • If you have any questions before, during, or after a tattoo appointment, please get in contact with me: I’m always happy to answer your queries or concerns regarding aftercare :)