AFTERCARE

There are many ways to both heal and wrap a fresh tattoo. Below is our recommended aftercare for a tattoo wrapped with cling film (saran wrap). A take-home copy of this information will be provided after your appointment.

First Day

Remove the wrap roughly 2-3 hours after leaving the shop and give your fresh tattoo a gentle wash with lukewarm water.

Don’t use any heavily fragranced soaps/dyed soaps/bar soaps to wash your tattoo. A mild antibacterial soap (the kind that can be used on an open wound) is ideal. 

Once you’ve rinsed the excess ink and blood from the surface of your tattoo, gently pat it dry with a clean towel or paper towel. Rubbing your tattoo dry will aggravate it. Alternatively, leave your tattoo to air-dry as long as you are in a clean, safe space to do so.

Once dry, moisturise your tattoo. Use either our specially formulated healing balm or coconut oil for the first 2-3 days of healing, and then switch to cocoa butter or a gentle unscented moisturiser. Your tattoo only needs a thin layer of moisturiser, don’t drown it!

Daily Tattoo Aftercare

Repeat the above process 2-3 times a day for at least two weeks after getting tattooed. 

While your tattoo is healing, it’s going to itch and the skin may feel tight. A small amount of moisturiser can soothe this. Do not pick or scratch your tattoo while it’s healing! This can damage your new tattoo or lead to an infection.

If you’re healing a colour piece, it will appear as if all the colour is washing out around the 4th or 5th day. Don’t worry! This is just the top layer of your skin peeling - your tattoo is safely healing underneath. 

If for any reason your tattoo does not heal correctly, please contact either the shop or your artist so we can schedule you in for a free touch-up.

Important Do’s and Don’tS

Do

  • Keep your tattoo clean and moisturised.

  • Treat your new tattoo as an open wound and take all precautions and avoid infection.

  • Be aware of your new tattoo and treat it with respect. Be careful of clothing rubbing against your new tattoo - this can cause issues with healing.

  • Contact the shop or your artist if you have any questions while healing, or if your tattoo needs a touch-up once healed!

doN’T

  • Submerge your tattoo in water while it’s healing (for around two weeks).

  • Scratch or pick at your new tattoo while it’s healing.

  • Let any animals or people lick or touch your fresh tattoo.

  • Use any petroleum-based moisturisers (Vaseline, etc.) as these can be too heavy and cause rashes/ink to come out!

ENJOY YOUR NEW TATTOO!