Taking Care of your Tattoo
Every tattoo artist has his/her individual ‘best methods’ of aftercare. They vary greatly and every tattooist will swear their way is the only and best method of care. There is no unanimous method of aftercare. The following is my way, and what I recommend.
- Remove protective film when it comes off naturally, this could be anywhere between 2-5 days.
- Wash your tattoo gently under lukewarm water to remove any sticky residue. Lightly pat dry your tattoo do not rub
- Avoid chlorine, exfoliation, and soaking as this may damage your tattoo. Quick showers or baths will suffice.
- Apply your chosen aftercare and reapply cling film or cover overnight to prevent ink and blood staining your sheets.
- If you have purchased our Emu Oil apply daily with clean hands as often as you'd like.
- If you have purchased your own aftercare please refer to the aftercare instructions recommended with that cream.
We highly recommend using Emu Oil, which you can purchase from us. Emu Oil is an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic lotion. These properties increase the protection, care, and healing of your tattoo. Apply one to two pumps of Emu Oil to the tattoo and with clean dry hands smooth a thin layer, covering it completely. Repeat this process daily until the tattoo appears completely healed.
Never use vaseline, Sudocrem, or Savlon as these products clog pores and draw the ink out of the skin. Bepanthen has been recommended in the past as tattoo aftercare. However, it is not formulated for fresh, open wounds, and does not contain any properties essential for healing your tattoo properly.
General Advice
- Do not sleep on your tattoo for the first few days
- A protective scab will form within 2-3 days and will flake off. This is normal. Do not pick or scratch at the scab.
- The tattoo may appear to be healed after two weeks. However, it may take up to 3 months for the tattoo to heal completely.
- Care for your tattoo by moisturising regularly to ensure the life of your design.
- Sunbeds and sun will fade your tattoo but applying a good suncream can prevent this.