Tattoo Aftercare

The healing of your tattoo will greatly depend on how well you look after it. Please follow the aftercare instructions your artist has recommended. If you have any questions about the healing process, please contact your artist directly

Aftercare for second skin bandage

If your artist has used a second skin bandage please follow these instructions


FIRST BANDAGE

Your artist will have applied a clear sticky bandage over your tattoo, this is called second skin. Please note it is completely normal to have a liquid substance that will gather under the bandage, this is a mix of blood plasma and ink trapped under the bandage. As long as there is no excessive liquid buildup, we recommend keeping this bandage on for 1-3 days. If your bandage starts peeling at the edges and peels to expose the tattoo, remove bandage and follow after bandage process. If there is an excessive amount of liquid under your bandage after the first 12-24hrs, please remove the bandage. If water from the shower gets under the bandage, take bandage off straight away. Peel the bandage off very slowly, do not rip it off. Clean and wipe the tattoo area gently with warm water, use a clean paper towel to pat dry, then allow to air dry for 5-10 minutes. Please always wash hands before touching your tattoo

SECOND BANDAGE - If applicable

Depending on the size and style of your tattoo, you may have been given a second bandage to take home with you. Please do not moisturize before applying this bandage, and make sure the area is clean and dry or it will not stick. You can wear this second bandage between 3-5 days. Do not wear bandage for longer then 5 days

AFTER BANDAGE PROCESS

Once you have removed the second skin bandage, it is now time to start applying an aftercare cream to your tattoo. Always wash hands before applying cream to tattoo, and avoid touching when not required. Your artist will have recommended an aftercare cream to use, gently rub a small amount onto the tattoo area. A little goes a long way, you only need to apply a thin layer, you should apply just enough to hydrate the skin. Make sure you do not suffocate your skin and pores with excess cream. Apply cream 2-3 times a day for about 14 days after removing your bandage. During the healing process your tattoo will begin to peel and may become itchy, this is completely normal. It is very important that you do not scratch or pick at your healing tattoo, this can pull the ink out of the skin

THINGS YOU WANT TO AVOID

  • Do not soak your tattoo in water for the first two weeks

  • Do not go swimming in pools, ocean, spas, or saunas for the first to weeks, as this can cause fading and infection

  • Avoid exposing healing tattoo to direct sun, as this can fade the tattoo

  • Try avoiding excess sweating while your tattoo is healing

  • Do not apply sunblock to a healing tattoo. Once tattoo is fully healed we recommended applying sunblock when in the sun, as sun fades tattoos

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Some people may react to the second skin bandage. At any point while wearing the bandage, if you notice any irritation, rash, redness or a burning feeling. Take bandage off immediately, rinse with warm water, and follow After Bandage Process


Aftercare For Glad Wrap Bandage

If your artist has used a glad wrap bandage, please follow these instructions

FIRST BANDAGE

We recommend keeping the glad wrap bandage on for 1-3 hours. Gently remove the bandage after 1-3 hours. Please note it is completely normal to have a liquid substance that will gather under the bandage, this is a mix of blood plasma and ink trapped under the bandage. Clean and wipe the tattoo area gently with warm water, use a clean paper towel to pat dry, then allow to air dry for 5-10 minutes. You do not need to re-wrap your bandage. Please always wash hands before touching your tattoo

AFTER BANDAGE PROCESS

Once you have removed the glad wrap bandage, it is now time to start applying an aftercare cream to your tattoo. Always wash hands before applying cream to tattoo, and avoid touching when not required. Your artist will have recommended an aftercare cream to use, gently rub a small amount onto the tattoo area. A little goes a long way, you only need to apply a thin layer, you should apply just enough to hydrate the skin. Make sure you do not suffocate your skin and pores with excess cream. Apply cream 2-3 times a day for about 14 days after removing your bandage. During the healing process your tattoo will begin to peel and may become itchy, this is completely normal. It is very important that you do not scratch or pick at your healing tattoo, this can pull the ink out of the skin

THINGS YOU WANT TO AVOID

  • Do not soak your tattoo in water for the first two weeks

  • Do not go swimming in pools, ocean, spas, or saunas for the first to weeks, as this can cause fading and infection

  • Avoid exposing healing tattoo to direct sun, as this can fade the tattoo

  • Try avoiding excess sweating while your tattoo is healing

  • Do not apply sunblock to a healing tattoo. Once tattoo is fully healed we recommended applying sunblock when in the sun, as sun fades tattoos

Example showing liquid under second skin bandage

It is completely normal to get smudging under the second skin bandage. This is a mixture of blood plasma and ink. This will wash off once you remove the bandage in 1-3 days time. Excessive amounts of liquid may require early removal of bandage. Sometimes the adhesive from the bandage may be stuck to the skin after removal, leaving a sticky texture on the skin, this will come off in its own time

Example showing a reaction to the second skin

Some people can react to the second skin, especially if you have reacted to plasters or adhesives in the past. If this happens, people often experience a rash that will start around the edges of the bandage. If you see this happening, remove the bandage immediately. This rash will go away, it make take up to a week or so to settle down. If you have any concerns, please contact your artist directly