WHY IS AFTERCARE SO imPORTANT? Improper aftercare could lead to patchy lines, scarring, faster aging and/or an infection. Tattoos are an open wound, what could cause an infection is bacteria getting into the tattoo. So like any other wound it’s important to take the time to care for it. An infection could put your health at risk and completely ruin your tattoo.

DAY 1

After I have cleaned and wrapped your new tattoo with clingfilm and you go home after about 3-4 hours: – wash your hands – unwrap your tattoo and wash with fragrance free antibacterial soap (Dove is good for this gently with warm water – gently pat it dry with a clean paper towel or leave to air dry – rewrap your tattoo with new clingfilm to stop bacteria getting into the tattoo and also to stop clothes or bedsheets sticking to the tattoo – it may ooze out some ink, this is completely normal – before you go to bed repeat this process

DAY 2-3

In the morning, wash your hands and unwrap your tattoo. Repeat the instructions from day 1. Do this every 5 hours and before bedtime. Do not put any creams on your tattoo until it begins to look dry on day 3 or 4. Your tattoo will most likely be fine if you decide to leave it unwrapped on day 3 and you’re a home, especially if it’s small. However if you are going to be around pets, are outside or at work, I would recommend keeping it wrapped just to be safe.

DAY 4 & ONWARDS 4 – 6 WEEKS

After 4 days your tattoo should be begin to scab and look dry, when this happens, only wash once in the morning and once in the evening, pat dry with clean paper towel. You don’t need to keep your tattoo wrapped anymore. It’s important for air to get to your tattoo to promote healing. Once you have cleaned the tattoo, you can begin to use a fragrance free gentle moisturizer.

Moisturizers you can use: –

Palmers Fragrance Free Cocoa Butter – Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Lotion – CeraVe Moisturising Cream Make sure you wash your hands before putting any on. Apply a very thin layer of moisturiser 2-4 times a day until it is healed. It can take 4-6 weeks for a tattoo to heal depending on the size and type of tattoo. Some will heal faster/slower than others. Your tattoo may begin to get itchy, this is a normal part of the healing process. Do not scratch the tattoo or pick at the scabs as this could lead to scarring and/or the tattoo to heal patchy. Instead use moisturizer to help sooth the itch.

THINGS TO AVOID

Sauners 3-4 weeks – Soaking the tattoo in the bath (you can shower as normal), swimming pools, the sea, lakes or rivers for 3-4 weeks – The gym for 2 – 3 weeks, if not, for the first few days at least keep it covered as gyms are full of bacteria. If your tattoo is on the arm, do a leg training day instead, if the tattoo is on the legs, do arms instead. At your own risk – Keep out of the sun to avoid damage until healed. Once healed always use SPF 30 or higher suncream. Sun can age tattoos quickly – Sunbeds and fake tan until fully healed 4 – 6 weeks

SiGNS OF AN iNFECTION & WHAT TO DO

Although it’s unlikely your tattoo will become infected, it can still happen. That’s why it’s still good to know the signs so you can keep yourself safe. Treatment of an intection is usually a prescription of antibiotics from your doctor. Contact your GP if you experience the following: – The skin surrounding feeling hot to touch – swelling of tattooed area – yellow looking, pus coming out of tattoo – red lesions around area – fever, hot and cold chills – red streaking from the area – areas of hard raised tissue