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Tattoo Aftercare Advise

 

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​A new tattoo is in effect an open wound which is, for example, similar to a grazing or burning of the skin. After care is mainly where common sense prevails and taking time out to care for your new tattoo is paramount.

 

The principle of a tattoo is to puncture the skin's surface with a variation of needles that have been dipped into a coloured ink containing a fixative that flows into the holes made by the needles. This then will cause small blood bubbles and fluid to rise to the surface and if left to dry will form a scab, this is what you DO NOT want to happen.

 

If a scab forms the chances are it will crack when you move, the scab could end up being knocked off accidentally which will affect the healing of the tattoo, resulting in a re-touch being required.

 ‘easytattoo’ is what we have found to contain the best properties for keeping the fluid moist and preventing a scab, you need to cover the creamed area with either Clingfilm, Opsite or Tegaderm patches for up to a 48 hour period with many intervals of cleaning and redressing and allowing periods of  time unwrapped so your can skin can breathe and let some oxygen start to help the healing process.

 

THIS DOES NOT MEAN PERMANENTLY COVERING THE TATTOO WITH NO DRESSING CHANGES or CLEANING!!

 

Depending on where your new tattoo is located on the body and to your lifestyle, this will reflect on how long you should use the method of covering your tattoo but we advise these principles as a guide line.

 

Wrapping/cleaning Method

 

After your Tattoo appointment, as soon as you get home remove the dressing, Wash the tattoo with mild warm soapy water with a new clean flannel or new high quality kitchen towel. Do not submerge tattoo in water, gently dab with a Flannel/Kitchen Towel to remove any residue. Once tattoo is clean and all signs of residue have been removed, leave to Air Dry for 10-15 minutes…

 

Once Tattoo feels Dry and starts to feel tight, apply a sparing amount of  ‘easytattoo’ so the tattoo is balmed with a sheen and not heavily saturated.

Re-cover the tattoo with fresh clingfilm and repeat the same process 4 times a day for up to 48 hours after having the tattoo done.

 

Clean---Air dry---moisturise---wrap!  = Morning, afternoon, evening, and before bed.

 

The first 2 or 3 days after having a tattoo are crucial to the finished result and this is where you will expect to feel some soreness or swelling. The 2nd week after your tattoo is the itchy period where a layer of skin forms over, we call this “silver skin” because it looks silvery and shiny, do not be tempted to scratch the tattoo, bathing it in cold water or gentle tapping with the finger tips usually relieves this. Please read tattoo aftercare instructions…

 

THE FIRST 72 HOURS IS A CRUCIAL PERIOD FOR YOUR NEW TATTOO SO FOLLOW THESE AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

 

Do not soak or submerge your new tattoo under water in the early stages of healing (1 week minimum).

For example, taking a long hot bath, swimming or using saunas. For the first 14 days avoid: sunbathing, swimming, saunas, dirt, oil, grease, paint, industrial cleaners, caustic substances and raw meats.

 

DO NOT SWIM FOR 2 WEEKS AFTER BEING TATTOO'D! OR BE SUBJECTED TO STRONG SUN LIGHT OR SUNBEDS!

 

After 3 days and nights leave the tattoo uncovered, wash and moisturise it as often as you can with either continuing to use ‘easytattoo’, Vaseline intensive care lotion or cocoa butter. These are advised products only.

During healing do not: soak, rub or scratch the tattoo. If scabbing occurs DO NOT PICK, Moisturise and keep the scab soft and subtle!

 

The healing process usually takes 10-14 days and the skin of the tattoo may peel and flake during this period. Full healing time differs from person to person, amount of tattoo procedure involved, and location of where placed on the body, but usually Full-healing can take upto 6 - 9 weeks.

 

DO NOT USE ‘SAVLON’ cream or any other antiseptic cream similar to savlon. This will dry out and ruin your tattoo, antiseptic cream is designed to Push/Pull dirt out from the skin, and so recognises Ink particles as ‘dirt’ and will trick your body into rejecting the Ink.

                                                        

 

 

FEET,ANKLE, LOWER LEG TATTOOS

It is not uncommon to experience large amounts of swelling and discomfort after having a tattoo on your foot or ankle. Wear comfortable footwear and take it easy. Swelling in the feet is usually due to water retention and poor circulation. People who carry extra weight or have a disorder that slows the circulation of blood have the highest risk of severe foot swelling. Drink lots of water (at least a gallon a day) and your body will allow you to flush the water instead of storing it. Feel free to elevate your feet and apply ice as needed – you may need to do this for an hour a day in the evening for at least a week. Even while you’ve got your feet elevated, it’s important to maintain good circulation. Proper blood flow and oxygen distribution plays a huge role in how quickly your tattoo will heal. Do leg pumps, leg lifts, crunches, arm lifts and anything else you can do to get your heart beating even while reclining.

 

If you can? Taking Antihistamine (Heyfever tablet) and Anti-inflammatory (Ibuprofen/Nurofen) medication helps with the uncomfortable swelling. Please read guidelines on the packaging of your chosen medicines and follow instructions on dosage safely.

 

Swelling, redness, bruising, skin peeling and pain are all normal for foot tattoos during the first week. Foot tattoos are so prone to bacterial invasion due to being low to the ground and come into contact with large concentrations of bad germs, be sure to use common sense and adjust your aftercare procedures to suit how your tattoo is healing.

It takes three months for the human skin to completely restore itself after being tattooed. During that time, it builds up millions of cells that cover over the ink that’s been implanted underneath. Until that process is finished, your tattoo is vulnerable. After those first two critical weeks, you can begin to wear shoes when needed but you still need to care for your tattoo. Remove your shoes as soon and as regular as possible, wash and treat the tattoo immediately. Keep your tattoo out of the sun as much as possible, and apply strong sun block if you do need to expose your feet to the elements. Friction and UV rays can still cause serious fading, so until it’s been three months you need to be extra careful.

 

 Please be aware that extra care and attention is needed when having a tattoo in an area of folding skin i.e. wrists, ankles, shoulders, etc. Areas such as these and the sides of the hands are difficult to guarantee that the ink will be as strong as tattoos on flat skin i.e. arms, legs, backs. And may require re-touches in the future and take longer to heal.

The better you look after the tattoo the better and faster your tattoo will heal!

Please follow our advice and adjust where needed with common sense.

This is for guideline purposes only, we wish you happy healing.

 

 

If you are concerned or unsure if you’re new Tattoo is healing appropriately? Please Do not hesitate to get in touch.

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