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Hi there! Please give this a read, even if it’s not your first rodeo.
 

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So you just finished getting tattooed, congrats! You're now slightly cooler.

Here are the aftercare fundamentals:
 

• Avoid scratching your tattoo (even when it’s the itchiest thing in the world). To ease itchiness, you may apply an ice pack wrapped in a clean towel, or slap the tattoo gently.

• When moisturising your tattoo, always make sure your hands are clean.

• Avoid swimming in any body of water or soaking the tattoo in the bath for 2-3 weeks. Submerging it risks infection, colour loss, and extra scabbing. 

• Showers are totally fine. Just no scalding hot water.

• Avoid the sun, and sunscreen for 2-3 weeks, stay in the shade where possible.

• Avoid sweaty activities like the gym, and wear loose clothes for at least a week.

• There may be spots that heal a bit slower (eg. red ink, white ink, pastel colours, heavily tattooed/saturated areas)

• If you require any touch-ups, please get in touch within 4 - 6 weeks.

• Please don’t hesitate to ask me any questions.

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If you’re choosing to heal your tattoo with Cling-Film and Cream, this next bit is for you.
If you’re going with Fixomull, scroll to the next section.
If you’re opting for Saniderm, head down to the aptly titled section: ‘Saniderm’.

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Cling-film and Cream:

Day 1:
Within the next few hours take the cling film off.
Wash thoroughly with warm water and soap.

Pat dry with a clean towel/paper towel

Let it air dry for around 1- 2 hours

After that wash your hands and apply a thin layer of antiseptic cream - such as Bepanthen

Wrap your tattoo in new cling wrap overnight.
Elevate the tattooed area if possible

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Day 2: Sleeping with a new tattoo isn’t great, is it?

Take off the cling film in the morning. 

Shower/wash the tattoo again. 

Pat dry with a paper towel.

You can wrap it again with cling film (with cream) for the day if you will be going to work in a dirty/dusty environment.

If you are home/ not working, let it air out (with no cream) or wear loose clothing on it if going outside. 

Apply a bit of cream in the evening if it feels tight and dry

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Day 3 - 4: 

Keep that tattoo clean - you don’t want to get an infection.

Apply a very thin layer of cream ONLY when it feels dry.

You may experience swelling and redness in the area, don't fret!

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Day 5-10: 

Now is when using cream/moisturiser is the most important. Apply a very thin layer 1-3 times a day. Dab off excess cream with a paper towel.

Your skin will start drying up and the excess ink will form scabs/flakey bits.

The scabs/ flakes will peel off by themselves or while showering, don’t pick the scabs. Never scratch your tattoo.

And that's it!
Now all you have to do is apply cream/moisturiser once or twice a day for the next week or two, until your skin no longer feels dry.
 

Fixomull Stretch

This option is super low maintenance, and is great for solid colour work. The downside is you will have to wait a whole week to see your sweet new tattoo.

 

It’s an adhesive white gauze bandage that can be washed in the shower and doesn’t require any creams. Fixomull is a more hypo-allergenic option than Second Skin, however some folks might be allergic to Fixomull, so let me know if you’ve ever had a reaction to bandaids, sticky tape or medical adhesive tape. Check your bandage regularly, make sure the skin around it is happy and healthy.

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Basically, you’re going to leave it on for 7 days.
 

Can I shower with it on?
Yes! Gently hand wash the top of the fixomull with a fragrance-free soap.
Can I have a bath/go for a swim?
It’s recommended to avoid submerging your tattoo for 2-3 weeks.

What happens if the edges start peeling off and the tattoo becomes exposed?
Give the exposed part a gentle wash with fragrance-free soap, pat it dry, then use a bandaid or spare fixomull to stick the bandage back down.

Can I take it off early?
Removing Fixomull early risks colour loss, so be patient. Unless it leaks, peels or has holes, leave it to do its thing.

It’s been 7 days, how do I remove this bad boy properly?
The best way to remove Fixomull is to do it at the end of a shower - it comes off more easily when it’s soaked. Peel the edges up first, then with a liquid soap, start lathering up the edges and the surface. If you’re able, hold your skin taut while peeling off the fixomull, then slowly and patiently peel it upwards - using extra soap if there are any stubborn bits. Once it’s off, chuck the fixomull in the bin, and give your tattoo a thorough wash again with soap. With a clean towel, pat your tattoo dry.
And that’s it!
Now all you have to do is apply a cream/moisturiser once or twice a day for the next week or two, until your skin no longer feels dry.

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Saniderm (alternative brand of "Second Skin")

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Saniderm is a super low maintenance option, and is great for fineline work. It offers a more water resistant barrier than Fixomull, so it’s a good option if you need extra protection in your everyday life for the first week.

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Saniderm is a polyurethane adhesive medical bandage, it allows oxygen in to your tattoo but keeps nasties on the outside of the film. Some folks can have reactions to this method, particularly if you’ve ever had a reaction to bandaids, sticky tape or medical adhesive. While you've got saniderm on your skin, check your bandage regularly, make sure the skin around it is happy and healthy. 
 

Click here to read Saniderm's FAQ's 

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Basically it should be left on between 1 to 6 days.

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Can I shower with it on?
Yes! Gently hand wash around the bandage with a fragrance-free soap.
Can I have a bath/go for a swim?
Avoid submerging your tattoo for 2-3 weeks.

What happens if the edges start peeling off and the tattoo becomes exposed?
Saniderm is different to Fixomull, so if your bandage starts peeling off and leaves your tattoo exposed - it’s best to remove the entire bandage and swap to moisturising your tattoo (follow the above instructions in Cling Wrap and Cream)  

Can I take it off early?
Removing Second Skin early risks interrupting the healing process, so be patient. Unless your skin is irritated, or the bandage leaks, peels or has holes, leave it to do its thing.
It’s been 4-6 days, how do I remove this bad boy properly?

The best way to remove Second Skin is to do it at the end of a shower - it comes off more easily when it’s soaked. Peel the edges up first, then with a liquid soap, start lathering up the edges and the surface. Then slowly and patiently pull the saniderm from the edges as if you were removing a 3M adhesive strip. Pull one of the edges directly away from the rest of it, parallell with the skin, until the plastic starts detaching off the skin - using extra soap if there are any stubborn bits. Once it’s off, chuck it in the bin, and give your tattoo a thorough wash again with soap. With a clean towel, pat your tattoo dry.
And that’s it!
Now all you have to do is apply a cream/moisturiser once or twice a day for the next week or two, until your skin no longer feels dry.

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Whatever your chosen method for healing your tattoo, please feel free to get in touch with any questions you have. 🙂