tattoo aftercare
tattoo healing can vary depending on many things, such as the size of the tattoo, how much ink is used, and the placement. lifestyle also affects healing- diet, sleep and alcohol all impact your immune system and can affect the healing of your tattoo. look after your body to look after your tattoo!
don’t submerge your fresh tattoo in water eg. baths or swimming until it is fully healed. i don’t recommend moisturising for the first few days either- wait until the tattoo feels dry and/or itchy. this can vary person to person! moisturising your tattoo doesn’t heal your tattoo any faster, it only makes the process more comfortable for you. bear this in mind!
see below for a clear guide to looking after your tattoo, either with second skin or without :-)
If using second skin
leave the second skin on between 3-5 days, no more than a week.
if there is any reaction or discomfort to the film or adhesive, remove it immediately.
it is normal for your fresh tattoo to seep some ink, blood and plasma. this is fine, but if it leaks outside of the film you will need to take the second skin off (if things can get out, things can get in!
likewise if the second skin peels away or falls off (so the tattoo is exposed), you will need to take the second skin off.
showers are fine, but don’t submerge the tattoo in water such as in the bath or swimming.
to remove the second skin, take a hot shower and let the hot water loosen the adhesive. then slowly peel off the second skin.
when the second skin is removed, wash the area with a fragrance-free gentle soap and warm water and pat dry with a clean paper towel.
if the second skin stayed on for a few days, the tattoo may need moisturising when it is removed. apply a small amount of gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser (i usually recommend palmer’s cocoa butter)
continue to apply moisturiser as and when it’s needed- when the tattoo is dry, it will feel tight and/or itchy. don’t over-moisturise!
If using cling film (or the second skin falls off)
leave the cling film on for a couple of hours. when you take it off, wash the tattoo with a gentle fragrance-free soap and warm water. pat dry with a clean paper towel.
if you are going out again that day/evening, you may want to wrap the tattoo in cling film while you are out. if the tattoo is particularly large or heavy, you may want to wrap it in cling film for bed.
however, i advise avoiding using cling film as much as possible- if you are able, keep the area clean, dry, and uncovered.
where loose, clean clothes that don’t chafe and won’t leave fibres stuck to your fresh tattoo whilst it heals.
after a few days you can start moisturising the tattoo. i usually recommend palmer’s cocoa butter. apply a small amount as and when needed- when the tattoo is dry, it will feel tight and/or itchy. don’t over moisturise!