TATTOO AFTERCARE
You have just spent good money on your new tattoo, so the aftercare is crucial to how it will look when it has fully healed. So a little of your time now in looking after it whilst it heals, will give you a tattoo that will look great for many years to come.
For the best end results possible, follow the aftercare routine as instructed below and by your artist;
An hour after returning home, remove the dressing from the tattoo and then wash the tattoo with HOT water and a little anti-bacterial soap. (Hot water and a little soap dissolves and removes the lymph fluid released by the body that would then naturally dry to form a scab)
Rinse the tattoo down with COLD water. (Cold water then contracts the skin to reduce the production of further lymph fluid)
Pat the tattoo dry and then allow it to air dry for a further five minutes., then apply a thin layer of either PALMERS COCOA BUTTER or TATTOO GOO. (Both have a naturally high content of Vitamin E and other natural oils to aid the healing of the tattoo)
DO NOT use anything with ANTISEPTIC in, (i.e. Savlon, Bepanthen, Sudacrem) as this will draw the tattoo and cause it to scab heavily which can lead to fading.
Repeat this process again approximately 6-12 hours later, it is important that you specifically wash your tattoo twice in the first twenty-four hours.
On subsequent days apply a thin layer of aftercare product 2-3 times daily until your tattoo has fully healed. Your tattoo will go dry and flaky as it heals for between 3-10 days (without heavy scabbing).
Avoid soaking the tattoo in a bath or going swimming for the first week, although showering (running water) is fine.
Do not expose your new tattoo to sunlight until fully healed and when you do use a high factor suncream or total sunblock to avoid fading.
A summary of what you can expect
Initially: Some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness or bruising. The tattooed area can feel very similar to sunburn for 48/72 hours and then very tender still for several days.
During healing: Some light scabbing, itching and tenderness. Do not itch or pick any scabs, as this will remove the colour and also leave your tattoo open to infection!
Once healed: The skin over your new tattoo may have a very dry appearance for up to three months, this is quite normal and just your skin returning to normal! Continue to use your aftercare until the skin regains its normal texture.
