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AFTERCARE GUIDE

Protect Your Ink

A good tattoo deserves proper care. The healing process is just as important as the session itself — how you treat your new ink in the first two weeks directly affects how it looks for the rest of your life.

Follow these steps and you'll be fine. If something looks wrong or you're unsure about anything, contact us before spiralling into a Google rabbit hole.

First 24 Hours

Leaving the Studio

Your artist will cover your fresh tattoo before you leave - either with cling wrap or a second-skin adhesive film. Leave it on. Don't peek, don't lift the edge.

If you have a standard cling wrap: leave it on for 2–4 hours, then follow the first wash steps below.

If you have second skin (a clear adhesive film): your artist will tell you how long to leave the first layer on — typically 24 hours to 4 days.

Your First Wash

Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the tattoo
Remove the wrap and rinse gently under lukewarm water
Use a fragrance-free, antibacterial soap — no scrubs, no body wash, nothing with added fragrance
Gently pat the area dry with a clean paper towel
Do not rub — ever
Leave it unwrapped and let it breathe

First 24 Hours — What to Avoid

✕ Re-wrapping with cling wrap (unless your artist specifically told you to)
✕ Soaking the area — no baths, no swimming, no ocean, no spa
✕ Touching it with unwashed hands
✕ Tight clothing that rubs on the area

Second Skin

Second Skin / Saniderm Instructions

If your artist applied a second skin (clear adhesive film) rather than standard cling wrap, follow these specific instructions:

First application: leave on for 24 hours or up to 4 days.
Remove slowly in the shower under running water — peel from one corner, don't rip
If the film lifts, leaks or fills up with fluid, remove it and treat as a standard fresh tattoo from that point
After removing second skin, follow the regular washing and moisturising routine above

Week 1–2: Healing

Daily Washing

Wash the tattoo gently once or twice a day with fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water. Pat dry with a clean paper towel each time.

Moisturising

Once or twice a day, apply a thin layer of unscented moisturiser. You want a light coating - not a thick slab. The skin needs to breathe.

Good options include: Cetaphil, Aveeno (unscented), or any plain fragrance-free lotion. Avoid anything with fragrance, retinol, or active ingredients.

What's Normal

Redness and mild swelling in the first 24–48 hours
A tight or slightly raised feeling as the skin heals
Peeling and light flaking from Day 5 onwards - do not pick it off
Itchiness - tap gently, do not scratch
A "milky" or cloudy look under the surface - this clears up

What to Avoid During Healing

✕ Picking or peeling flaking skin - this pulls out ink and causes patchiness
✕ Swimming, baths, soaking in water of any kind
✕ Direct sun exposure on the tattoo - cover with clothing if heading outside
✕ Heavy gym sessions that cause excessive sweating directly on the tattoo
✕ Sunscreen on a fresh tattoo - wait until it's fully healed first
✕ Using alcohol-based products, Dettol or antiseptic on the area

Long-Term Care

Keeping Your Tattoo Looking Fresh

Once your tattoo is fully healed (usually 4–6 weeks), the main enemy is sun damage. UV rays break down ink faster than anything else.

Apply SPF 50+ sunscreen to your tattoo any time it's exposed to the sun - this is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent fading
Keep the skin moisturised - dry skin makes tattoos look dull
Stay hydrated - healthy skin keeps ink looking vivid longer
Touch-ups are available for previous clients - contact us if something needs attention after it's healed

When to Contact Us

When to Contact Us — or See a Doctor

A tattoo is an open wound and, rarely, things can go wrong. If you notice any of the following, reach out to us or see a GP:

✕ Redness or swelling that spreads and gets worse after 48 hours
✕ Green or yellow discharge (a small amount of clear plasma is normal)
✕ Fever or flu-like symptoms following your session
✕ Significant raised scarring that doesn't flatten after a month
✕ Any reaction that feels wrong - trust your gut

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