when it comes to aftercare i everyone has a different RECOMMENDATION, but this is what io BELIEVE is best…

at the end of our session i will wrap your tattoo in cling film, i RECOMMEND leaving this on for roughly 3 hours. after 3 hours have passed, carefully unwrap the clingfilm and gently wash down the area with warm soapy water (i usually think its easier to just jump in the shower rather than cleaning it over the sink). be mindful not to scrub the tattoo too hard in order to avoid irritating the skin, using your hands and some neutral, unscented soap is more than enough to clean the area.

after making sure all the soap has been rinsed off, pat the area dry with some clean kitchen roll (you don’t want to use a towel as they harbour bacteria and the fibres can stick to the fresh tattoo) once you have removed the excess moisture from the surface of the skin, leave the area to air dry for 10-15 minutes, this helps to avoid moisture being trapped in the skin when you apply an aftercare cream.

i suggest using palmers cocoa butter or any of the butterluxe balms/ butters. i have found that these heal the skin in the most natural way and give the best finished results.

for the first 3 nights after your tattoo, i think it is best to re-wrap your new tattoo. just befor you get into bed for the night, wash your hands, apply a thin, even layer of aftercare and securely wrap the area in CLINGFILM. this is particularly important when it comes to blackouts, but i think its a good idea for any new tattoo you get (it will also save your bed sheets).

apply a very thin layer of aftercare to your tattoo 3-4 times a day for the first two weeks. when i say thin, i mean it, you shouldn’t be able to see a build up of cream on top of the skin, you should simply have a shiny, clear layer of cream/ balm over your tattoo. i don’t RECOMMEND anymore than 4 times a day, you will only hinder the healing process by adding to much moisture to the area and preventing it from healing naturally.

should your tattoo scab in places, it is important to avoid picking or irritating the scabs. try to avoid those areas when applying the cream and allow the affected area to dry out and heal in its own time. if you pick the scabs you will greatly impact how the tattoo ends up when the healing process is complete.

once the first two weeks have passed, i think its always a good idea to cream your tattoos every now and then. once a week or so will prolong the life of your tattoos and keep them looking vibrant.

Swimming/ saunas/ exercise

it is important to avoid soaking your tattoos in moisture before they are fully healed. swimming, baths and saunas will be detrimental to your tattoos before the skin has been given the time to repair itself.

when it comes to exercise it is important to be very mindful of your tattoo. if you knock the area or EXCESSIVELY sweat over your new tattoo, you may hinder the healing process. i personally would say wait at least a week before going back to the gym, although for blackouts/ hands/ fingers and plams i would DEFINITELY letting the COMPLETELY heal before going back.

Suncream

when you go on holiday it is important to look after your tattoos. for most tattoos i think covering them each day with spf 30 is enough, however for blackout i believe you should always use spf 50. if you don’t sufficiently protect your tattoos with spf, you could sunburn the area and they will fade faster.

if you have any questions about aftercare, im always happy to help….