AFTERCARE

DO

Wash your hands with antibacterial soap before cleaning or touching your tattoo.

If Second Skin bandage has been used, keep this on for at least 24 hours & up to 5 days, unless you experience a reaction to the adhesive. Plasma fluid under the adhesive is very normal and expected, this usually looks like a grey/black fluid or ‘smudging’ and it will wash off when you remove the second skin.

When removing your bandage, rinse your tattoo with warm water and clean paper towel or washcloth. Sensitive skin soap may be used but do not use any soaps with harsh fragrances or chemicals. If residue from the adhesive is present, coconut oil or similar should help dissolve the residue. An alcohol wipe can also remove the adhesive around the edges but please don’t use alcohol directly on the tattooed skin. You can use firm but gentle pressure to wipe down the area. To remove the second skin, STRETCH the bandage towards you gently rather than pulling up or down. Take your time and be gentle. It may seem like the adhesive is taking the tattoo with it but I promise it’s not.

You can replace the second skin with another after the first one has been removed and the area cleaned. The skin must be dry and not tacky to touch for the adhesive to stick and be watertight. The second dressing may be left on for up to 5 days. I would recommend giving your skin 30 -60 minutes to breathe between applications as the adhesive removal can slightly irritate the skin around the tattoo. Redness on removal is normal and should calm down by the following day.
If you sweat underneath the second skin dressing, it is best to remove, clean and replace or you might experience sweat rash under the adhesive.
Replacement adhesive can be purchased from most pharmacies - ask for ‘OPSITE FLEXIGRID WATERPROOF FILM DRESSING’

Once the second skin is removed for good (10 days max) please hydrate your new tattoo with a thin layer of tattoo specific aftercare, coconut oil, shea butter, QV or similar at least twice a day for up to 2 weeks. Remember: little & often.

If second skin is not used, wash twice a day with just warm (not hot) water or a mild fragrance-free liquid soap, and apply a thin layer of tattoo specific aftercare, Aquaphor or similar from day 2 onwards. Little and often is best with hydrating - I recommend 2 -4x per day. Avoid lotions with fragrances or aloe.

Other aftercare hydration I recommend are : almond oil, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, mango butter, hemp oil, Cetaphil, . Remember that natural and minimal ingredients are best for fine line tattoos.

If possible, use freshly washed bedsheets, clothes, and towels during healing process. Keep pets and pet hair away from an uncovered tattoo.  Disposable paper towels or unscented baby wipes are great for direct contact with the tattoo when washing or drying.  

 DON'T

Do not scratch or pick. This removes ink and leads to infections. If the skin is itchy, try gently slapping the area.
Avoid direct sunlight. For the first two weeks try to limit sun exposure - if you know you'll be out in the sun for prolonged periods, wear a thin layer of clothing over the tattoo.  After the first two weeks, use a high SPF sunscreen on your tattoo when in the sun. Avoid tanning for at least a month, UV rays are the biggest cause of fading and aging tattoos.
Avoid soaking in any waters (lake, ocean, bathtub, pool) for the first month, this is especially critical during the first two weeks. Bodies of water are full of bacteria and chemicals.
Avoid heavy sweating in the area of your tattoo for as long as you keep the second skin on. You can go to the gym after 2-3 days but make sure to clean the tattoo after sweating.
Do not let your tattoo stick to sheets or clothing. If stuck, soak the cloth to remove rather than ripping it off.  This is usually only a concern for the first night when it will be a bit oozy, if second skin hasn’t been used.

No saunas, ice baths, hot yoga or spas for the first week.

EXPECT

Colour and plasma may seep to the surface, especially when first removing the bandage. This is normal. Wash gently with warm water and wipe with a clean paper towel and apply ointment or lotion.
For the next week the tattoo and area around it may be slightly swollen, red, and sore.If this lasts longer than 5-7 days, please contact us.

Second skin adhesive may leave a friction mark around the edges of the bandage - this is normal and will fade.
If the second skin is uncomfortable, hot, itchy or your skin is unusually red underneath you may have a sensitivity to the medical grade adhesive. Remove the dressing, cleanse the skin and take an antihistamine. Do not use any creams or lotions for 24 hours. Reactions are rare but do happen!

Within a few days to a week, a thin scab may form evenly over the tattoo and peel like a sunburn. (Do not pick at it!)  
The colour may seem dull or uneven while the tattoo is healing.  

It should be completely healed in 4-6 weeks!  For best results, avoid sun exposure (wear SPF), and keep moisturised.  

For a detailed description of the wound healing process click here!