Aftercare (Second Skin)

After the appointment, leave the applied second skin on for 3/4 days - only remove on the evening of the tattoo if you’ve had heavy black work (this is still optional).

To do this safely, you should submerge the tattooed area in warm water in the shower, you should never soak your fresh tattoo in bath water for the first week. The warm water will loosen the adhesive and make it much easier to remove. If you are having issues removing it after this step, try adding some fragrance free shower gel or bar soap into the gaps of the dressing to help the adhesive detach even more. Do not pull second skin off dry or with force! It can compromise the healing of your tattoo dramatically.

Clean the tattoo with a gentle, fragrance free soap (Sanex, Cetaphil, Dove, Aveeno are great examples). Do not keep the uncovered tattoo submerged in water for a long period of time during this step.

After you get out of the shower, pat with a clean towel or clean kitchen roll and let your skin air for 5 minutes.

Apply the fresh second skin piece (if you have one) after 5 mins of applying your aftercare to the skin. Cut to size (I also recommend rounding the edges so it stays on longer), peel the square backing (there is a tab to help you) and apply directly to your skin like a sticker. Then peel from the green arrows outwards on the surface of the dressing. Try to make sure there are no bubbles around the tattoo. You can then leave this on for 3/4 days. You will be able to shower and do your everyday routine providing you keep the tattoo out of the direct water flow of the shower.

After 3/4 days, you may remove the dressing in the same way explained above. Your tattoo will now be in the next stage of healing and will have a shiny appearance. Moisturise 2/3 times a day with aftercare recommended. If the tattoo is on or near a joint, it will be much easier to feel when you need a top up of product as you will feel your skin pull/tighten in the area.

Apply a pea sized amount (slightly more for anything above palm sized) cocoa butter or coconut oil (both highly recommended). If you have had tattoos before and have experience with tattoo specific creams, those are also okay.

For both sizes - there will potentially be plasma, blood and ink leaking out of your tattoo. This is perfectly normal and is jus something that happens as your body starts to heal the wound. It happens a lot more with heavy black work so this is something to keep in mind during your healing journey.

If you experience a red rash around the dressing - you could potentially be allergic to the adhesive in second skin. If this is the case, remove it immediately and keep it covered and moisturised with recommended aftercare. Change the cling film 2 times a day for the first 2/3 days. This is also something you should follow if your dressing falls off in the first few days. After this you can follow the same moisturise care post second skin.

For the first week of healing please make sure you avoid the following:

No baths, no swimming (both in the sea and pool), avoid having your tattoo exposed to direct sun (especially if you are going abroad), limited to no gym - especially in the first 3 days. No picking scabs, if your tattoo is on your lower leg or foot - avoid boots/knee highs/ wellingtons and always wear a protective layer between your footwear like socks or tights.

Because of the nature of blackwork being traumatic to the skin - especially in dense covered areas - there maybe some fall out. Tattoos sometimes don’t heal perfectly, that is no one’s fault and there are so many contributing factors such as sensitive/thin skin, your body rejecting the ink in certain places, sickness or just being tattooed for long periods of time and so on. If this is the case - I offer a free first touch up for all my clients.

Any issues with the tattoo or questions - please always contact me first before you get a second opinion.

Aftercare (Cling Film)

After the appointment, leave the applied clingfilm on overnight or until you get home.

After this period of time has passed, remove the clingfilm and get in the shower.

Clean the tattoo with a gentle, fragrance free soap (Sanex, Cetaphil, Dove, Aveeno are great examples). Do not keep the uncovered tattoo submerged in water for a long period of time during this step.

After you get out of the shower, pat with a clean towel or clean kitchen roll and let your skin air for 5 minutes. Then proceed to apply a pea sized amount (slightly more for anything above palm sized) cocoa butter or coconut oil (both highly recommended). If you have had tattoos before and have experience with tattoo specific creams, those are also okay.

Apply fresh clingfilm to the area and repeat 2/3 times a day for the first 2/3 days. It is important to shower at least once a day. For the other redressing throughout the day, remove the clingfilm and clean with warm water and disposable kitchen roll and then re wrap with recommended aftercare and clingfilm. Do not over moisturise your new tattoo.

After the recommended days, you may remove the clingfilm. Your tattoo will now be in the next stage of healing and will have a shiny appearance. Moisturise 2/3 times a day with aftercare recommended. If the tattoo is on or near a joint, it will be much easier to to feel when you need a top up of product as you will feel your skin pull/tighten in the area.

There will potentially be plasma, blood and ink leaking out of your tattoo. This is perfectly normal and is jus something that happens as your body starts to heal the wound. It happens a lot more with heavy black work so this is something to keep in mind during your healing journey.

For the first week of healing please make sure you avoid the following:

No baths, no swimming (both in the sea and pool), avoid having your tattoo exposed to direct sun (especially if you are going abroad), limited to no gym - especially in the first 3 days. No picking scabs, if your tattoo is on your lower leg or foot - avoid boots/knee highs/ wellingtons and always wear a protective layer between your footwear like socks or tights.

Because of the nature of blackwork being traumatic to the skin - especially in dense covered areas - there maybe some fall out. Tattoos sometimes don’t heal perfectly, that is no one’s fault and there are so many contributing factors such as sensitive/thin skin, your body rejecting the ink in certain places, sickness or just being tattooed for long periods of time and so on. If this is the case - I offer a free first touch up for all my clients.

Any issues with the tattoo or questions - please always contact me first before you get a second opinion.

Questions or Concerns

Any issues with the tattoo or questions, please always contact me first before you get a second opinion. The quickest way to get a response from me is by:

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