AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS
After your tattoo is finished, I’ll usually give you one of two Aftercare options for you to follow and talk you through both.
If you forget or want to learn more before the tattoo session, I’ve got both methods here for you to read.
Each has their own advantages but depending on the size, location and skin sensitivity, one method may be more suitable for you.
Regardless of which method you use:
*Showering is fine, your tattoo can get wet under the shower to clean it but strictly no bathing, soaking or swimming for 4 weeks.
*Avoid the gym or sweaty activities for the first 5-7 days
*Keep your tattoo out of the sun while it’s healing! Your tattoo is still really fresh and UV Rays can cause damage not only to your skin but can cause the tattoo to heal poorly, patchy and faded.
*Do not allow your tattoo to come into contact with dirty surfaces, pets/pet hair or unwashed hands!
Second skin- method 1
Second skin, dermal wrap, tattoo film wrap. There are many different brands/names out there but I offer FYT Tattoo Derm wrap to my clients. I still call it second skin though because that’s the name that most people recognise it by.
Instructions:
After your tattoo is finished, I will clean the area, pat it dry with paper towel and a piece of second skin to your tattoo.
This first piece stays on for roughly 24 hours.
Some areas are known for swelling and excess bleeding, so during this time if you see blood escaping from under the second skin, the second skin lifting up and over your tattoo or instense itching, please remove it straight away and wash the tattoo with mild soap and let air dry.
If you have intense itching you may be allergic to the adhesive and even see red marks (like an angry red square around the tattoo), in which case- follow the cling wrap method in the next section.
If it’s been 24 hours of you had to remove your piece early, make sure to clean your tattoo in warm water with a mild soap. You’ll feel that the tattoo is clean when it doesn’t feel slimey or slippery, a sign of plasma and blood which was present on the skin.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel, let your tattoo airdry for 10 minutes and once dry, you can apply the second lot of second skin to your tattoo. You want to make sure there’s enough of a boarder around the tattoo so it wont peel up and over it.
Try to keep your second piece on for 4-6 days. You might experience a little itching during this time (completely normal) but swelling, irritation and bleeding should settle by this point.
After 4-6 days, remove the second skin and give your tattoo a wash.
Make sure for the next week you are washing your tattoo 2-3 times a day and using an aftercare cream.
Please read the next section how to apply aftercare cream if you are unsure.
SECOND SKIN TIPS:
*Ask a friend or family member to help you apply the second skin if it’s in a difficult spot.
*Try to line up the second skin over the centre of your tattoo so all of it is under the film. Stick the centre down first and smooth slowly outwards.
*Air bubbles are ok, please refrain from popping them though.
*For easy removal, run the corner of the second skin under the shower and carefully peel it back at an angle. Work slowly!
CLING WRAP- METHOD 2
The cling wrap method is a little more old school and requires a bit more attention during the healing phase.
However it’s a great alternative if you have an allergy to adhesives or are having large scale work done.
If the area has been bleeding quite a bit during the session, I’ll ask you to wait 10-15 mins before leaving and will wrap it once with paper towel and cling wrap to encourage bleeding in the studio (and not on the journey home!), before cleaning and rewrapping with fresh cling wrap.
When you get home, remove the cling wrap, hop in the shower or hold the tattoo under warm running water and clean using mild soap.
CLEANING :
Your fresh tattoo may feel slippery and slimy to the touch as you’re washing it, that’s usually a sign of plasma and blood on the surface that needs to be cleaned off.
To do this, make sure to clean your hands thoroughly first, then later up a bit of soap on your fingers and gently wash the tattoo under warm running water.
Once your tattoo no longer feels slippery to the touch, it should be clean.
NEVER use a bath towel or flannel to dry.
ALWAYS let the tattoo airdry for at least 10 minutes, also patting the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel is a good idea.
APPLYING AFTERCARE CREAM:
When using the cling wrap method, I prefer to leave aftercare creams off for the first 12 hours as the tattoo is still a bit weepy.
After 12 hours, wash the tattoo 2-3 times a day, using an aftercare cream.
At the studio we stock the Aftercare Collective aftercare creams, but there are alternatives you can use too (please ask first so confirm it’s suitability).
You only need to apply a very small amount of aftercare cream, a little goes a long way.
A very thin layer is all that’s needed, if its too wet or saturated it’s going to have a hard time healing and could result in an infection.
After a week your tattoo should be well into the scabbing and itching phase.
We need to try and keep scabbing to a minimum, so anytime your tattoo feel’s overly dry or tight, make sure to wash and apply a bit of aftercare cream.
Continue this method for a whole 2 weeks or until your tattoo feels more like your skin again.
GENERAL TIPS:
Here’s a few things to make life easier while healing.
*Be mindful that your tattoo is an open wound and be consious of what surfaces your tattoo is coming into contact with.
*Have clean clothes, bed linen and towels prepared before your appointment. Having clean sheets or towels you don’t mind getting a bit bloody when you go to sleep will make everything less stressful.
*Arms and legs can sometimes swell a lot! To reduce swelling, try keeping the area elevated with a pillow or rolled up towel when on the couch or sleeping for the first few nights.
*Itching sucks! But please DON’T SCRATCH YOUR TATTOO! Picking scabs, lifting dead skin off or scratching the surface can lead to infection, pulling ink out of your healing tattoo and/or scarring your skin.
If you do get itchy try-
Washing your hands and gently scratching unbroken skin near the tattoo, but not on it.
Gently slapping it if you have fresh clothes on.
Wrapping a cold pack in a clean flannel or paper towel and applying some cooling relief for a couple of minutes.
I’m unsure this looks right/what to do if/ do I have a reaction/I think I did this wrong/ helppppp!!!
If you are unsure of anything at any point during the healing phase, please don’t hestitate to email me at maycattatts@gmail.com
I will get back to you asap.
If you suspect any signs of infection occuring, please seek medical attention straight away and keep me updated.
Your health always comes first!