Getting tattooed is draining on your body so make sure you eat something soon after your appointment. It is best to have a quiet afternoon/night of rest. To alleviate swelling, elevate the area and take ibruprofen. Additionally you may apply a cold pack to the wrapped tattoo for 20 minutes per hour.
There are 2 main methods for healing a tattoo that I recommend. The Cling Wrap Method and Second Skin/Film Method.
Cling Wrap/cream method
On the night of the appointment, remove the cling wrap and wash with warm water. DO NOT USE SOAPS OF ANY KIND AS THIS WILL IRRITATE THE TATTOO
Once finished, Pat dry with clean paper towel and let the area air dry for 2 minutes.
Rewrap your tattoo with cling wrap and repeat this process for the first 2 days of healing. Be sure to wrap your tattoo at night so nothing from your sheets can infect your tattoo. On Day 3 discontinue using cling wrap and apply a small amount of cream over the tattoo morning and night.
After a few days the tattoo will begin to itch and flake/peel like a sunburn. DO NOT pick or scratch.
Once the shedding process is complete, your tattoo may appear shiny for the next few days. Apply moisturiser for the next two weeks to assist the deeper layers of skin that are still healing.
Tips
Your Tattoo can take anywhere between 7 – 21 days to heal. Do not soak tattoo. Avoid sun/ surf/ chlorinated water/ baths / saunas until tattoo is healed. Do not let tight clothing sit or rub on your Directly on your tattoo as it heals (bra straps, waistbands, shoes etc).
Sleep on freshly washed sheets, but not your best linen as it may get stained. Absence of itching, flaking, peeling is of no concern – that’s an exceptionally good heal. Pimples appearing on or around your fresh tattoo are generally caused by too much ointment blocking the pores.
If you have this problem adjust your usage or try swapping to a different aftercare ointment. Once healed Always apply 30+ sunscreen to protect your healed tattoos when going into the sun. Sun exposure damages the skin and will accelerate the fading and ageing of your tattoo.
Second Skin/Medical Film method
When the tattoo is finished Cling Wrap is applied in the studio.
The first 24hrs is when the majority of the weeping happens so I do tend to avoid the medical bandage during this time as it tends to fall off or fill up too fast with fluid.
You will be provided with 2 sheets of Second Skin. The first you will apply the day after the appointment preferably in the afternoon.
The first bandage should be left on for at least 24-48 hours. After that remove the bandage in a clean environment and apply the second.
The second bandage can be left on for up 3-4 days. Once you remove the dressing for the second time, apply light moisturiser for the following week to assist in deep tissue repair.
How to apply
Wash and dry your hands & thoroughly. Clean & dry the surfaces & scissors you are using. Clean the tattoo warm water and dry thoroughly with paper towel. Cut the film to the desired shape and round the corners to avoid lifting.
You should account for an extra centimetres around the tattoo to cover un-tattooed, dry skin. Expose the sticky side by peeling off the white backing and place over the tattoo.
Smooth the dressing over the tattoo using gentle pressure and a piece of paper towel to push out any air bubbles. Do not stretch the dressing during application as tension can cause skin trauma. Remove the supportive top layer.
The film is waterproof so you will be able to shower as normal.
Avoid excessive exposure to water. Submersion should be avoided.
How to remove
Peel up an edge or corner of the dressing. If this proves difficult, you can attach medical tape to the corner of the film to help lift it or have a warm shower to weaken the adhesive.
Gently stretch the dressing straight out and parallel to skin while supporting the dressing with your other hand. This will release the adhesion of the dressing to the skin.
Alternately, you can slowly pull the film off back and across parallel to you skin like a zipper while supporting the newly exposed skin with other hand. Wash & dry the tattoo & either redress or switch to ointment healing method.
Ink will shed underneath the dressing obscuring the tattoo. This is completely normal.
Be sure to pat the dressing dry after exposure to water. If you do develop an adverse reaction to the adhesive, discontinue use immediately & switch to the ointment Cling Wrap method.
