Aftercare

Aftercare

How you take care of your tattoo in the weeks after getting it determines how your tattoo will look once healed, so it’s important to do your best to take care of it.

There are some big no’s when healing a tattoo, regardless of whether we opt to use second skin:

  • do not go swimming, or submerge/soak your tattoo in water for 2 weeks (including baths, pools, ocean etc)

  • do not pick at your tattoo

  • keep it out of direct sunlight

  • keep it clean, and do not let pets near it

How to take care of your tattoo with second skin

9/10 I use second skin for my tattoos as I find it is easier on your end.

  • aim to leave your second skin on for 5-6 days. it can sometimes come off sooner, or you may find you don’t like wearing it, so feel free to take it off earlier if you choose.

  • Second skin is water resistant and will last in the shower, a splash of water here and there is fine; however, it is not entirely waterproof. even with second skin you should not be swimming or soaking your tattoo in the bath.

  • you may notice that your tattoo looks wet inside the covering, this is completely normal and there’s nothing to worry about. this is a build-up of blood, plasma, and ink. it may make lines look bolder, or make the tattoo look like is leaking. the more shading/ ink we put in your tattoo, the more liquid build-up may occur.

  • I often suggest letting your tattoo dry out overnight once taking the second skin off (meaning you don’t need to use aftercare cream that night)

  • your tattoo may become flaky and itchy, this is normal and expected. do not pick at it and do not scratch it

  • you can start to apply aftercare cream once or twice a day as needed. when doing so less is more, your skin should only ever look shiny or moisturized - not wet.

  • I often say to use after-care for as many days as you need. everyone’s body is different, some people’s tattoos may be fully healed 2 days after taking the second skin off, others it may be a week or more.

    take the second skin off if:

  • you begin to have an allergic reaction, this will be easy to spot as the whole area that the second skin is covering will become red - it’s normal for your tattoo to be red for a day or two after getting it, but if specifically, the area of the second skin becomes red, take it off.

  • it starts to peel and the tattoo becomes exposed. if the edges start to lift a bit, that’s fine. but if it lifts to the point where your tattoo is exposed - take it off

  • if an ink sac pops

How to take care of your tattoo without second skin

“222” - 2 hours, 2 days, 2 weeks!

2 hours:

Keep the cling wrap on for at least 2 hours, if you’re out and about keep it on till you get home.

after 2 hours remove the cling wrap cover and wash the tattoo with un-fragranced soap and warm water. Pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel or piece of paper towel.

2 days:

for 2 days don’t put any aftercare cream on it. Still wash your tattoo! I would recommend morning and night for the first 2 days. the goal is to allow the tattoo to “dry out” a little bit, and allow all necessary “weeping” to occur. It is normal for tattoos to weep ink and/or blood. during these 2 days its a good idea to wear something loose fitting, and black so that you don’t ruin any of your favourite shirts by getting tattoo ink on them (if the tattoo is on your arm, a loose black shirt, if its on your leg loose black pants etc)

2 weeks:

after that first 2 days, you will need to moisturise/ apply after care for around 2 weeks.

Only put the aftercare on after a shower or washing the tattoo, and always use clean hands! when doing so less is more, your skin should only ever look shiny or moisturized - not wet. During this time the tattoo will likely be itchy, and flaky. Try not to pick at the flakes, don’t exfoliate them, just moisturise/ aftercare cream the area