Aftercare info

Congratulations on your new tattoo! Here is a guide for you on how to best look after your new art addition!

How your tattoo turns out is your responsibility; up to 50% of your tattoos outcome lands on how well you've taken care of it during its healing process; one particle of bacteria or sweat invited to your tattoo *will* create an infection!

Your tattoo is like an open wound, the first few layers of skin have been burned in order for ink to be pushed into the desired layer. For the next few days; your aim is to not let the plasma your body produces to dry on top of it, to keep it regularly disinfected, and to give your tattoo a protective barrier which is also breathable

How best to accomplish this? I advise my clients to check their tattoo every 3-4 hours. This is *VITAL* To the healing process, especially during the first week.

If your tattoo is dirty (e.g. has a visible layer of muddied ink and plasma on the surface) - wash it away gently with your hands disinfected, and use an antibacterial soap. Please use a soap which is not heavily fragranced or coloured, this will dry out your tattoo! Rinse off the lather with water as warm as you can handle.

Once the layer is cleaned off (your tattoo should no longer feel slimey) allow your tattoo to dry. Please do not use a bathroom towel to do so, this is a bed of bacteria you'll invite to your tattoo. I recommend allowing it to air dry for ten minutes; or having a clean sheet of strong kitchen roll to gently pat it dry

Once your tattoo has dried, you'll want a thin layer of aftercare over your tattoo. This will create a protective barrier from bacteria, aid the healing process and decrease inflammation significantly. Apply your aftercare like you would your regular lotion; just ensure you can see a slight sheen to it

Once the bodies need for plasma production subsides, you can be more lenient and check it a few times a day. Everybody heals at different rates; it is your duty to choose when to clean and apply your aftercare, and to ensure you don't let your tattoo dry out. You may also apply aftercare throughout the day without cleaning it if it isn't in need of it; just ensure your hands are disinfected before touching the tattoo

It is expected that your tattoo will peel once the skin has healed; it will behave similarly to sunburn. This will create intense itching, so don't be concerned when this occurs. DO NOT scratch or pick at your tattoo during this process! You can slap the area of your tattoo to alleviate the intensity, or even ice it with a barrier of clean kitchen roll. Once this surface of skin naturally falls away, your newly healed tattoo is underneath!

Tattoos can lighten up to 40% once healed, this is normal as your tattoo is now sitting beneath the two upper dermis layers of your healed skin. If you find however your tattoo has any areas of fallout or concerns, please don't hesitate to arrange a Checkup with myself so I can observe if any excessive fallout/desaturation has occurred outside your control. **Client may be subject to a minimum £20 charge for reapplication in cases of aftercare negligence**

My recommended products;

Pears antibacterial soap (in a bar or pump, non fragranced)

Palmers cocoa butter (in a tub; non fragranced)

Clingfilm; you'll want to apply this the first two - three nights of your tattoo so you don't wake up stuck to your bedsheets! Let your tattoo breathe during the day however; unless you have an outside or more active job. It's advised to use clingfilm during your work hours under this exception.

Avoid;

Swimming, sauna, baths, sun, solarium and active sports for 2-3 weeks until the tattoo has peeled entirely

Taking your friends, families, *or* the Internets aftercare advice over mine! Regardless of people's best intentions, the aftercare and methods they used may be outdated vs the ones I'm currently recommending! 

Finally and foremost;

I always encourage my clients to feel like they're looked after outside their tattoo session, if you have any concerns or questions; please don't hesitate to message me! Show me how your tattoo has healed, I love to see how my clients new tattoos have settled in

Thank you for your time today, I look forward to hearing from you!

-Aimee Universe