TATTOO AFTERCARE:
THERE ARE TWO MAIN METHODS OF AFTERCARE FOR A NEW TATTOO. SECOND SKIN, AND THE TRADITIONAL CLEAN AND CREAM METHOD. THOSE WITH ALLERGIES CAN'T USE SECOND SKIN BUT IF YOU CAN IT'S LESS MAINTAINENCE.
tattoo day:
when your tattoo is finished i'll apply a layer of second skin dressing for you. leave this one on for 24 hours. you can shower with it on just avoid soaking excessively.
Day after:
after about 24 hours your second skin will be lookin' a bit nasty. all full of blood, ink and general gross goop. by 24 hours that should be about all of it out so remove that first layer, wash and dry thoroughly, and replace it with a new one. ​
​​tips for removing second skin:
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some find removing the second skin a bit tricky, i say skill issue. but don't worry i'm here to help.
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it's easiest in the shower. roll a corner up until you can grab it, and just gently wiggle flat against your skin very slowly. get the water running under there and just take your time, it shouldn't hurt just slow and steady.
​​tips for applying second skin:
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so you've removed the first layer, given it a realllly good clean and patted it dry with a clean towel. i like to give it another 10-20 mins to air dry thoroughly after too so it sticks well and don't put any cream underneath.
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to apply the second skin peel off the white paper backing, and stick over your tattoo one piece at a time. it's easiest if you push one side down and smooth it across for a better application.
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once it's stuck on, peel off the top layer from the remove labels. repeat the process until it's all covered, overlapping each square by 1cm or so. it's best to go around an inch past the edge of your tattoo so it won't roll up easily.
one week on:
you'll want to remove your second skin the same way you did with the first. sometimes there's some adhesive residue which is annoying, but it'll come off on it's own over a few days or baby oil can help remove it quickly.
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from here it's gonna peel like sunburn. you'll wanna keep it clean, washing morning and night and apply a small layer of cream (i recommend after art) after each wash to avoid excess dryness.
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once it's peeled, it's healed. it may stay dry for a few weeks though so feel free to keep applying cream.
second skin issues:
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there are only 3 problems i tend to run into with second skin, all of which are easily remedied.
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1: you're allergic. this means it'll go red everywhere that's covered. contact me to confirm, then remove the second skin, it'll clear up in a day or two.
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2: it's pulling. if one spot is going red on a movement area, it's friction. this can blister if left but just roll it back a little and it should clear up quick.
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3: infection. sometimes it's just unlucky and the tattoo splits from movement causing a deeper wound, or some bacteria got in when it was changed, or through a crease at the edge. contact me to confirm then remove it and go to your doctor. they'll give you a course of antibiotics and if you're quick there's usually minimal to no damage.
the following week:
it's best to leave your second layer on for a full week if it lasts, but try keep it on for at bare minimum 4 days.
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during this time you'll just want to take it easy. rest up and let your tattoo and body recover. keep exercise and sun exposure to a minumum and avoid swimming. it's best not to touch it at all, just leave it to do it's thing.
tattoo day:
when your tattoo is finished i'll apply a layer of CLING FILM AS A dressing for you. leave this on for A FEW hours THEN REMOVE IT FOR A THOROUGH WASH TO REMOVE ANY BLOOD/INK RESIDUE
CLING WRAP:
DEPENDING ON HOW BIG/SOLID YOUR TATTOO IS IT CAN BE A GOOD IDEA TO REWRAP FOR THE FIRST NIGHT. THIS ISN'T NECESSARY FOR OUTLINES BUT FOR COLOUR/SOLID TATTOOS IT HELPS CONTAIN ANY EXTRA FLUID. IN THE MORNING REMOVE AND CLEAN AGAIN.
​​DAY TWO:
I LIKE TO JUST LET THE TATTOO AIR OUT AND BREATHE ON THE SECOND DAY. NO CREAM.
WASH MORNING AND NIGHT THOROUGHLY, PAT DRY THEN JUST LEAVE IT ALONE TO DO IT'S THING. MOR
​​DAY THREE ONWARDS:
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FROM HERE IT'S JUST REPEATING DAY TWO BUT WITH CREAM (I PREFER AFTERART). WASH MORNING AND NIGHT, DRY THOROUGHLY, THEN 15-30 MINS AFTER APPLY THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF CREAM YOU CAN. REPEAT UNTIL HEALED.
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OVER THE NEXT WEEK IT'LL PEEL LIKE SUNBURN, BUT HARDER SCABS AREN'T NECESSARILY BAD, JUST USUALLY A SIGN YOU SHOULD CLEAN MORE THOROUGHLY/MORE OFTEN.
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ONCE IT'S ALL PEELED, IT'LL STAY DRY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, FEEL FREE TO KEEP APPLYING CREAM THROUGH THIS STAGE.
ITCHING IS NORMAL, JUST A SIGN YOUR SKIN IS HEALING.
AFTERCARE CREAM TIPS:
LESS IS MORE WHEN IT COMES TO CREAM.
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TOO MUCH CAN ACTUALLY SLOW DOWN THE HEALING PROCESS CAUSING PROBLEMS, SO IDEALLY YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A LIGHT SHINE UNDER THE LIGHT, BUT OTHERWISE NOT NOTICEABLE.
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TO KEEP IT LIGHT i LIKE TO PUT A SMALL AMOUNT ON MY FINGER, DOT IT AROUND THE AREA, THEN RUB IT IN RATHER THAN SPREADING IT ALL AT ONCE.