The complete tattoo aftercare guide
It’s all in your hands now
Congratulations! You've got a new tattoo! Let’s heal it well to ensure it looks crisp and vibrant for years to come. Proper aftercare not only ensures your tattoo heals looking good but also helps prevent infections.
Healing methods
There are two main healing methods: traditional (using cling film) and modern (using ‘second skin’). Both methods work well and have their advantages. We will decide which option is best for you on the day of your appointment.
Tips for both methods
No scratching or picking at your tattoo. This can lead to ink loss and uneven healing. Allow any scabs or flakes to fall off naturally.
Avoid soaking your tattoo in baths, saunas, swimming pools, hot tubs, or the sea etc. Showers are fine, but keep them short and try to avoid splashing water directly on your tattoo as much as possible.
Stay out of direct sunlight. Fresh tattoos are especially sensitive to UV rays, which can cause fading and irritation. If you must go out in the sun, cover your tattoo with clothes (thickly woven fabrics). Use SPF only after your tattoo is fully healed.
Wear clean, loose clothing. Tight fabrics can rub against your tattoo, causing irritation and premature peeling of the scab.
Limit or avoid the exercises. Depending on the placement and size of your tattoo, be prepared to either partially or fully avoid exercising, especially in a gym environment, for the two weeks after getting your tattoo.
Long-term care
Maintaining the appearance of your tattoo is a lifelong commitment. To help your tattoo stay vibrant, follow these tips:
Use broad-spectrum SPF. This is the single most important thing you can do for the longevity of your tattoo. Sun exposure is a primary factor in tattoo fading, so always protect your tattoo with a high-factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen when you’re in direct sunlight.
Moisturize regularly to keep your skin hydrated and healthy and your tattoo looking its best.
Exfoliate gently. Once your tattoo is fully healed, you can occasionally exfoliate the area to help it look bright and fresh.
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FIRST 48 HOURS:
Keep the ‘second skin’ on - it protects your tattoo from bacteria and friction.
No need to wash or moisturise during this time.
Your ‘second skin’ is water resistant but not waterproof. Try to avoid splashing it with water during your showers, as warmth, and moisture might result in premature lifting.
You might notice slight wrinkling and air bubbles - this is normal unless the film lifts, exposing any part of the tattoo to the air. In that case, remove the ‘second skin’ and continue the aftercare as described in the traditional method below.
If excessive plasma or fluid builds up, carefully remove it and continue your aftercare as described in the traditional method described below.
BEST WAY TO REMOVE ‘SECOND SKIN’ (DAY 2-3):
Take the ‘second skin after 48-72 hours.
Wash hands thoroughly first.
Warm the adhesive with warm running water to loosen it up.
Gently pick one of the bottom corners of the adhesive until you have a good grip on it.
Very gently pull the film downwards, stretching it, until it starts to lift from your skin.
Continue stretching it until it fully lifts from your skin. Do not peel it away from yourself or towards yourself, only downwards (similarly to how you would take Command Strip from the wall).
Wash your tattoo well, removing any plasma, blood and ink buildup that might have been underneath the film.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel (not a regular towel as those tend to harbour bacteria) - don’t rub.
Give your skin a few minutes to evaporate the residual moisture.
Apply a very thin layer of the moisturiser.
FOLLOWING DAYS (up to 2 weeks):
Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
Wash and moisturise your tattoo (as described above) 2-3 times a day.
Add additional wash, in case you sweat or expose your tattoo to an unclean environment.
Look for additional information under the ‘TIPS FOR BOTH’ paragraph.
POSSIBLE REACTIONS TO SECOND SKIN:
Even though the adhesive layer of the ‘second skin’ is considered hypoallergenic, that doesn’t mean that no one will get a reaction. Those happen very rarely, but if it’s your first time with ‘second skin’, be sure to look out for anything unusual.
Mild skin irritation might look like: itching, redness, or mild rash around the edges of the film. It’s usually caused by friction, sweat buildup, sensitivity to adhesive or occlusion.
In case you notice any signs or mild skin irritation, remove the ‘second skin’ immediately, as described above. Wash the area gently with lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free soap. Let the skin breathe for a few hours before switching to traditional aftercare (described below).
Allergic reactions are very rare. They might look like red, raised, itchy rash (often extending beyond the tattoo), blistering, swelling, or burning sensation.
Allergic reactions usually are caused by the acrylic-based adhesive. Common plasters use similar adhesives, so if you ever reacted to those, the traditional method of healing might be better for you.
If you notice any signs of allergy, remove the film immediately and wash the tattoo thoroughly.
Let the skin breathe for a few hours and continue washing (avoid putting any moisturisers for the time being, unless advised by the doctor) and monitoring the skin.
If the skin calms down within the first 24 hours, continue with the traditional aftercare.
In case the reaction isn’t calming down within 24 hours, you start to feel unwell or if the tattoo appears affected (raised, cloudy, leaking puss), see a doctor.
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FIRST FEW HOURS:
Leave the cling film on for the first 2-4 hours.
Wash your hands, then remove the cling film and gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and fragrance-free cleanser.
Pat dry the tattoo with a clean paper towel (do not use regular towels, as they tend to harbour bacteria).
Let your tattoo breathe as much as possible. Wear clean, unrestrictive clothes.
OPEN WOUND STAGE (DAY 1-3):
Wash the tattoo 2-4 times per day.
Don’t apply any creams unless you notice that the scab started to form.
Keep your tattoo away from dirt, pets and water (running water is fine, but keep your showers very short and not too hot).
SCAB STAGE (DAY 2-14):
Fine-line tattoos usually don’t produce heavy visible scabs (unless the design includes dark shading or black parts). You’ll know that your tattoo started scabbing when tattoo starts to feel dry and itchy, the shading will temporarily get darker. For most people, scab starts to appear around days 2-3.
You can reduce the washing frequency to 2-3 times per day.
After washing, pat dry with a paper towel and let your skin air dry for a few minutes to evaporate residual moisture.
After washing, apply a very thin layer of fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturiser.
The tattoo will peel and flake - this is normal. Avoid scratching and picking on the scab.
A GOOD AFTERCARE PRODUCTS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR GOOD HEALING
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AFTERCARE PRODUCTS TO PREPARE
A hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, gentle liquid soap.
A light in texture, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturiser.
Disposable paper towels.
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