LOOK AFTER YOURSELF
It is important that you take care of your tattoo so that it does not fade or become uneven. As soon as you leave us you must be careful with, and look after your tattoo.
DAY ONE
After your tattoo has been finished, the tattoo artist will place a layer of plastic film for you to wear a minimum of 8 hours. After the 8 hours have passed, you can remove the plastic film and clean the tattoo. Remember to wash your hands first, and then carefully wash the tattoo with soap and water. Gently pat dry with a paper towel or let the tattoo air dry. When this is done, you can apply a thin layer of aftercare cream. We recommend cleaning and re-applying a new layer of aftercare cream 3 times per day.
You do not need to recover your tattoo once you have removed then plastic film. However, if you know you will be particularly exposed to dirt and bacteria from children, dogs, etc. you can wear a garment or clothing that covers the tattoo.
THE NEXT 2-4 WEEKS
After a few days, a thin layer (scab) may form over the tattoo, which is supposed to peel off by itself. However, you want to avoid any scab at all, because parts of the ink may go away with the scab. Keep using the aftercare cream for 2 weeks until the scabs have stopped peeling off. It is very important that you avoid any direct sun or bathing (in chlorinated water) throughout this 2-week period. Do not use any sunblock on the tattoo until the wounds have finished healing.
DO & DON'TS
Avoid any use of perfume or perfumed soap on the tattoo during its healing, as this can irritate the skin
Do not scratch or otherwise pick on the tattoo. Change to clean bedsheets for the night after you get the tattoo
Wear loose-fitting clothes or garments over the tattooed area to avoid friction and irritation of the skin.
Use a sunblock on your tattoos to maintain them for the longest time. To all the animal lovers: Sorry, but your loved one(s) should not stay in bed with you during the first week after!
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INFLAMMATION & INFECTIONS
It is not unusual for people with new tattoos to have an infection. The main reason for this is not following the advice on aftercare thoroughly. If you experience any pain or unwanted symptoms, you should contact a doctor immediately. Remember, it is much easier (and nicer) to tend to a tattoo than taking care of an infection.
SUNBATHING & SWIMMING
Fresh tattoos are very sensitive to sunlight and you should avoid direct sunlight at all costs while the wounds are still growing. Do not go to the beach or lay down in the sun with a new tattoo! Also, you should stay away from sand, sunbeds or any outdoor activities that will expose your fresh tattoo to the sun or bacteria. If your new tattoo is exposed to the sun, it can easily get burnt, and the body’s natural reaction to this is to excrete liquids that can ruin the artwork.
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If you do decide to hit the beach or near any body of water, you should cover up your tattoo accordingly. The bacteria love water, so you should avoid swimming in a pool/sea/lake or coming in contact with any water at all cost. The reason is that the water in these places are most likely not clean (i.e. not sterile) and this can easily cause your tattoo wounds to become infected. Showering is fine but should be done with utmost care. Do not let your tattoo stay wet for longer periods (this also means no baths for at least 2 weeks).
TATTOOS & EXERCISE
You can work out with a fresh tattoo. But like we mentioned earlier, any contact with water is problematic, so any training or working out that is done in (or with) water should wait until after the wounds have healed. A rule of thumb here is that if anything is hurting abnormally, you should give it a rest, and don’t forget to contact a doctor if something seems wrong.
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You should also avoid training the muscles in and around the area of the tattoo, as this can feel tight and cause more pain. Because the tattoo is currently a healing wound, moving (and growing!) muscles in the said area might hurt more and hinder the healing process. Many people will also discourage any activity at a gym to avoid any contact with bacteria.
TATTOO APPLICATION
A fresh tattoo is a fresh wound. It will take about 2-3 weeks for the wound to heal properly. If you tattoo your legs, ankles or feet it might take even longer. You don’t have to apply any lubricants or ointments to your tattoo more than whenever it feels a little tight or dry. As the skin heals by itself, it will need less lubrication. A general word of advice: less is more. Give yourself time to heal.
