Aftercare
A new tattoo is an open wound for the first two weeks. Look after it well and it heals clean and bright.
The first day
Keep the wrap on for 2 to 4 hours. If we used clear film, leave it on for 3 to 5 days, then peel it off slowly in the shower.
Wash it
With clean hands, warm water and unscented soap. Pat it dry with a paper towel. Twice a day until it stops peeling.
Days 2 to 14
A thin layer of unscented lotion, two or three times a day. Itching and flaking are normal. Don’t pick or scratch.
After that
Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, whenever it sees the sun. It keeps lines sharp and color bright for years.
Skip for two weeks
- SoakingNo baths, pools, hot tubs, lakes or the ocean. Short showers are fine.
- Sun and tanning bedsCover it with loose clothing. No sunscreen until it has healed.
- Tight clothes and the gymAnything that rubs the tattoo slows healing. Go easy for the first few days.
- Petroleum jellyIt’s too heavy and can pull ink out. Use a light, unscented lotion.
When to call
Some redness and swelling in the first two days is normal. See a doctor, then let us know, if after day three you notice:
- Redness that spreads or gets darker
- Heat, throbbing pain or yellow discharge
- A fever or red streaks around the tattoo
Touch-ups are free
Once it has healed, a small patch may need a second pass. That’s free for our own work within six months. Email us a photo in good light and your artist will book you in.