aftercare advice
Looking after your tattoo is just as important as the tattooing process. If you would like yours to heal well, please follow these instructions.
for 'second skin'/adhesive bandage:
1. Leave the second skin on for up to 3 days. Avoid getting it excessively wet during this time.
2. When removing second skin, do so in the shower whilst running lukewarm water over it. Pull the second skin downwards and stretch it, keeping it close to your body.
3. Wash your tattoo carefully with lukewarm water & antibacterial soap. Pat dry with a clean towel or kitchen roll.
4. If you have any excessive redness/heat or swelling during this time, remove the dressing and check with your GP for allergy.
5. If you need to remove the dressing early, follow the guidelines for clingfilm below.
for clingfilm:
1. Remove clingfilm after 4 hours.
2. Wash your tattoo carefully with lukewarm water & antibacterial soap. Pat dry with a clean towel or kitchen roll.
3. Re-wrap your tattoo with clingfilm before bed on the first night. If this isn't possible, wear loose, clean clothing that you don't mind getting ink on.
4.Remove clingfilm and clean agan in the morning. If the tattoo is still leaking any ink or plasma, you may re-wrap it if required but the clingfilm should be changed every 4 hours and any fluid washed away in between with just water.
then, for both:
1. Clean your tattoo with an unscented, antibacterial soap - you should ideally introduce your skin to this 2-3 weeks prior to getting the tattoo so as not to disrupt your skin's microbiome. I recommend Sanex Zero% or Simple Kind to Skin shower gel.
2. It is important to keep your tattoo clean, but sticking to a daily shower schedule is generally all that is required for this. If you feel that your tattoo has come into contact with something that may risk infection (e.g. pet hair) you should clean it, but over-washing multiple times a day will dry out the skin.
3. Do not moisturise your tattoo whilst it is still wet/open - this will encourage bacterial growth and slow down healing. Moisturiser/lotion should be used as a therapeutic agent to reduce itchiness and improve how fast your skin re-models after the wound has sealed (post-scabbing).
4. Most tattoos only require moisturiser to be applied once daily. Twice daily may be appropriate for dry skin and dry climates.
5. After a few days, your tattoo should have dried out. You may now introduce a gentle moisturiser - I recommend unscented Palmer's Cocoa Butter. Be sure to use a very thin layer so your tattoo is still able to breathe and never double-dip if using a tub (ideally a new container is best).
6. Your tattoo may peel/scab during the healing process. This is normal, but do not pick or itch it as this risks introducing pathogens into the open wound.
7. Do not bathe, swim, use saunas, or sunbathe for a month as your tattoo is still healing during this time.
8. Keep your tattoo out of the sun whilst it is healing. Once fully healed, please use SPF on your tattoo to prevent fading due to sun exposure.
9. In the unlikely event of infection, seek advice from your GP. If you have any other questions or concerns, please email me at alicepeppatattoo@gmail.com