Tattoo Aftercare
YOUR NEW TATTOO IS A VULNERABLE OPEN WOUND. PLEASE TREAT IT LIKE THAT.
AFTERCARE PLAYS A HUGE PART IN THE FINAL APPEARANCE OF YOUR TATTOO.
PLEASE READ THE LISTS BELOW AND FOLLOW THEM CAREFULLY.
I) GENERAL CARE:
1. The healing process will take up to 4 weeks. Please follow instructions throughout this period of time and be patient with your skin.
2. It’s normal for your tattooed skin to feel sore for at least 1 week. Be gentle with it.
3. Avoid direct sunlight on the new tattoo. NO SUNSCREEN WHEN YOUR TATTOO IS STILL HEALING. (However, please always apply strong sunscreen on your tattoo AFTER it’s healed, if you are going to have sun exposure.)
4. Avoid soaking your healing tattoo in water - no bathing, no swimming, no surfing, no diving, no sauna, etc. Minimise exercising as your sweat can soak it too.
5. If you have a pet, keep it away from your tattoo. Especially avoid contact with their fur and saliva.
6. ALWAYS HANDLE YOUR NEW TATTOO WITH CLEAN HANDS.
7. Ointment options: Cetaphil, Aquaphor, Vitamin A & D lotion. All non-scented. No vaseline. No Neosporin. No aloe vera. No oil-based lotion.
8. Signs of tattoo infections are: persistent redness, swelling, and pain around the tattoo, as well as the appearance of pus or a rash. Other symptoms may include fever, chills, and unusual discharge.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention from a doctor or other healthcare professional.
II) SECOND SKIN:
1. It is waterproof. Feel free to take showers with it (yay!).
2. Please leave it on for 2 - 3 days.
3. You might see discharges appearing, and your tattoo might look “smudged“ under second skin. It is totally normal. However, please peel off the second skin and follow the instructions in section III if the discharge starts to leak.
4. NO WORKOUT/MINIMIZE SWEATING when you have the second skin on. Your sweat won’t be able to escape the second skin, and it can cause infection.
5. After 2 - 3 days, please peel off the second skin in the shower. Wash your tattoo with mild/unscented soap immediately. Use your hands to rub off all the extra ink, blood, and plasma. Do not rub it with a towel - it will hurt! Tap dry very gently with a CLEAN towel or soft tissue. Apply a THIN layer of ointment on the tattoo - do not overapply! (Please wash and take care of your tattoo in this way throughout the healing process.)
6. Your tattoo might get “printed“ onto second skin when you peel it off. It is normal too. Your tattoo is still there:)
7. There’s a small chance you might experience an allergic reaction to second skin. If you experience redness and itchiness around the edge of the second skin, please just peel it off and wash your tattoo.
8. When any of the following situations happen, please peel off the second skin immediately (even if it’s less than 2 days):
a) The liquid oozing out of your skin starts to leak out of the second skin;
b) The second skin is curling up, and a certain corner/part of your tattoo is exposed (you don’t have to peel it off if your tattoo is still sealed completely);
c) You have developed allergic reactions to the adhesive (itchiness, redness on the outer edge of the second skin).
No need to reapply any kind of covering/band-aid on your tattoo if you have to peel off the second skin early. Just follow the instructions below and let it breathe.
III) FIRST FEW DAYS AFTER SECOND SKIN:
1. Your tattoo is vulnerable when you just peel off the second skin. It is a large, open wound with a very thin protective layer.
2. Wash your tattoo at least once a day (follow instructions above), but lotion ONLY ONCE A DAY. Again, a thin layer will be sufficient. Do not cake it with lotion.
3. Minimise your exercise and don’t let your tattoo touch any equipment if you use a communal gym.
4. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR TATTOO CLEAN - wash hands before handling it, wear clean clothes, use clean beddings, keep pets away from it.
IV) ONE WEEK AFTER SECOND SKIN:
1. Your tattoo might appear flaky. DON’T PICK AT THEM. You might pick the ink out of your skin, and the tattoo will heal poorly.
2. Some flakes might appear to be black. It looks weird, but it is totally normal.
3. Your tattoo might feel itchy as the flakes keep forming. DON’T SCRATCH IT. Same thing, you might damage your tattoo by doing so. Gently pat or rub it (with clean hands!)
4. Once again, keep your tattoo clean! The protective layer is forming, but that doesn’t mean your tattoo is safe for your cat to lick, yet.