AFTERCARE | DAY BY DAY

A new tattoo is an open wound, caused by multiple punctures to the skin from the tattoo needles. The risk of infection is at its highest in the first 48 hrs after getting the tattoo. The final result and look of your tattoo will depend on your subsequent care and adhering to the important healing advice overleaf. Healing usually takes 2-4 weeks, depending on the size of the tattoo. It may take 3 to 4 months for the lower layers to completely heal.

To ensure a swift and beautifully healed tattoo please follow this day-by-day guidance below:

Immediately after the tattoo

Your tattoo artist will apply either a layer of cling film secured with hypo-allergenic tape or a clear, self-adhesive protective film. This is to protect against contaminants such as bacteria, dust, pollution and other environmental elements.
The cling film should be removed when you get home or within 2-3 hours. The self-adhesive protective film can be left on for a maximum of 24 hours.
Before you remove the film, thoroughly wash your hands and nails with antibacterial liquid soap and dry with a paper towel. Do not use fabric towels as they harbour germs and bacteria. For extra protection, use Nitrile examination gloves to avoid risk of infection.
Carefully remove the film and let it breathe for 1-2 hours. If you see any blood, plasma or ink on the surface, this is normal. Your skin will be red and sore, warm to touch and potentially swollen from the tattoo process.
Once aired, gently wash the tattoo with clean lukewarm water and antibacterial fragrance-free liquid soap, using light circular motions to remove any dried blood, plasma or ink. Once cleaned, gently pat dry (do not rub) with a clean paper towel or let it air dry.
Don’t recover the tattoo, let the tattoo dry overnight.
Ink may leak from the tattoo during the night, this is normal. However, this may stain your bedsheets, wear clean, loose and comfortable clothing to protect them.
Risk of infection is at its highest in the first 48 hours. Please also read the important healing advice overleaf.

Days 1-3

By now, your tattoo will have a duller, cloudier appearance. This happens as your skin heals. Scabs will start to form.
Wash your tattoo 2-3 times a day, avoid bathing or submerging the tattoo under water, opt for short showers instead.
When drying the tattoo, avoid fabric towels as they harbour germs and bacteria, gently pat dry (do not rub) with a clean paper towel or let it air dry.
Once the tattoo is dry, with clean hands apply a thin layer of alcohol and fragrance-free moisturiser on the tattoo, such as Lubriderm, Aquaphor or Aveeno, to avoid excess drying, tightening and cracking. However, don’t smother the tattoo in moisturiser, just enough to keep it hydrated. Take offany excess moisturiser by dabbing it with a clean paper towel.
Wear clean, loose and comfortable clothing and avoid unnecessary rubbing and chaffing the scabs.

Days 4-7

The redness should start to fade and the scabs should be fully formed. It is vital to avoid any picking, peeling or unnecessary touching or scratching the tattoo scabs. This can cause infection, scarring and potentially ruin your tattoo. Scabs must fall/flake offnaturally.
If your tattoo has started peeling, reduce the amount of times you wash and moisturise your tattoo, 1-2 times a day will be sufficient. Excess washing and moisturising at this stage will encourage the scabs to come off prematurely and may remove the ink from your tattoo.
Continue to wear clean, loose and comfortable clothing each day to avoid unnecessary rubbing and chaffing the scabs.

Days 8-14

The scabs will have hardened and will begin to flake off. At this point, your skin may feel dry and very itchy, gently apply the moisturiser to relieve the itching when needed.
Gently wash your tattoo once a day and lightly apply moisturiser as usual.
If your tattoo is still red and swollen at this point, you might have an infection. Go back to your tattoo artist or see a doctor.

Days 15-30

In this last stage of healing, most of the big flakes will be gone and the scabs should be going away. You might still see some dead skin, but it should eventually clear up.
The tattooed area might still look dry and dull. Keep moisturising until the skin looks hydrated again.
By the third week, the outer layers of skin should have fully healed. It may take 3 to 4 months for the lower layers to completely heal.
By the end of your third month, the tattoo should look as the artist intended.
It is normal for the tattoo to look slightly lighter when fully healed.

IMPORTANT HEALING ADVICE

To promote good healing and reduce the risks of infection please follow the below advice:

Hand washing:

Hand washing is the single most important method of reducing infection. Always wash your hands and nails thoroughly with antibacterial liquid soap and clean warm water and always dry with a clean paper towel before touching or cleaning your tattoo.

Whilst healing:

Do not rewrap your new tattoo, this can delay healing, bacteria growth, inflammation and infection.
No picking, peeling or unnecessary touching or scratching the tattoo scabs. This can cause infection, scarring and potentially ruin your tattoo. Scabs must fall/flake off naturally.
No bathing or submerging the tattoo under water, opt for short showers instead. When drying the tattoo, avoid fabric towels as they harbour germs and bacteria, gently pat dry (do not rub) with a clean paper towel or let it air dry.
Avoid direct exposure to the sun which includes sunbeds/solariums.
Avoid excess sweating from exercising (for at least a week), as the bacteria in your sweat could infect your tattoo.
No swimming, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, jacuzzi’s or massages.
Avoid contact with unhygienic surfaces such as dirty clothing, bed sheets, your partner, pets, sofas, walls and any other potentially unhygienic surfaces.
Avoid tight fitting clothing and instead opt for loose-fitting, cotton material that will permit oxygen to flow freely.
Avoid harsh chemical products when showering, opt for unscented and alcohol-free alternatives.
Avoid perfume, aftershave and aerosols on the tattoo area.
Avoid skin products that have not been recommended by the tattoo practitioner or not intended for open wound healing, including petroleum based products as they will clog the pore and cause infection.
Avoid over-moisturizing, this can lead to delayed tattoo healing, unwanted bacteria growth, inflammation and infection. As well as clogged pores, suffocation of the skin and acne breakouts around the new tattoo.
Avoid dipping your fingers into the moisturiser pot or sharing your moisturiser with other people, this can lead to bacteria growth in the moisturiser. Use a disposable tongue depressor/spatula or the end of a clean spoon.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to support your overall health and improve skin elasticity.
Eat healthy nutrient-rich foods and get plenty of sleep. This will help fuel your body with all the right nutrients and energy it needs in order to heal the tattoo well.

After healing:

Once your tattoo has healed, you move into maintenance mode. Although you don’t have to worry about infection after the first 3–4 months, there are things you can do to prevent the ink from degrading.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to support your overall health and improve skin elasticity.
Prevent sun damage. Wear sun-protective clothing and apply sunscreen to keep your ink vibrant. Tattoos that get sunburnt will age the tattoo quickly, making the ink spread and blur the tattoo design.
Avoid rapid weight gain or loss. Rapid fluctuations in size could stretch out or distort the tattoo.
Giving blood – NHS Blood and Transplant advise you have to wait for 4 months after having a tattoo before you can give blood.
MRI scan – It is important to let the radiologists know that you have had tattooing before you have an MRI scan. You may also experience a tingling sensation in the tattooed area during the scan.
Laser – Laser hair removal can sometimes turn the area of the tattoo black and therefore should be avoided after treatment.

Signs of infection:

If appropriate aftercare is not followed infection may occur. The signs of infection are:

Swelling, rash and redness that increases around the wound.
A severe burning and throbbing sensation round the tattoo.
Increased tenderness and increasingly painful to touch.
An unusual discharge (yellow or green) with an offensive smell.
A fever within 24 hours after getting the tattoo.

Speak to your tattoo artist or seek medical attention immediately if you suffer from any of the above or have any concerns regarding infection in your tattoo or if there are any signs of an allergic reaction to any of the products used.