Tattoo Aftercare

Good Aftercare is always important.

There 3 different methods of aftercare you can follow.

*All the methods require a strict hygiene routine*

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Ensuring that your hands are washed/cleaned

before washing the tattoo & applying the dressings & balm

is very important.

Do not use any old balm, as it may contain bacteria

& remember do not share balms with others.

I recommend using soaps that contain Chlorhexidine Gluconate, it is a disinfectant & antiseptic.

WE stock at the studio:

Butterluxe - Anti Viral, Antibacterial,

Anti Microbial. This soap has 2% Chlorhexidine & Is Vegan

Hibiscrub - Not Vegan, But I do recommend to use this if you struggle to heal or are concerned about healing successfully and preventing infection.
"Containing 4% Chlorhexidine gluconate, Hibiscrub is effective against a wide range of microbes, including several strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeast, fungi and viruses, and reduces bacterial load more efficiently than povidone iodine.

Hibiscrub is not absorbed into the skin, but binds to it to form a protective layer that kills bacteria within one minute, and continues to do so for up to six hours after application."

So you can see why I am so happy to be using Butterluxe The Green Soap during the tattoo process, as it's such a great disinfectant & antiseptic.

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Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Adhesive Bandage:
Or as alot of call it 'Sticky Film' or 'Second Skin'
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Yayo: How to apply Instructions - Here
We stock the film at the studio.

Balm Method of Tattoo Healing:

Firstly Wash & Air Dry your New Tattoo, then with clean hands apply a perfume free moisturiser to the tattoo 3-4 times daily. For 1-2 weeks.

We stock Yayo balms at the studio.

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1. After 2-4 hours of the dressing going on, you will need to remove it, making sure your hands are clean.

If the tape is very sticky, soak it in water and leave for a minute or two

and then peel off. Don't ever rip it off.

It's worth noting, that if you're washing the tattoo in the shower and you are showering the rest of you, washing your hair etc. do all that first. Then lastly wash the tattoo, using the instructions below as a guide. This way it helps to make sure any contaminants (shampoo/soap/bacteria/dirt etc) are all thoroughly washed off the tattoo.

2. Rinse the tattoo in gently flowing warm water.

3. Then making sure your hands are clean, using a perfume free soap, ideally antibacterial give the tattoo a thorough but gentle wash. You might need to do this a couple of times as you need to make sure to clean off all fluid (blood plasma and ink)

Where possible, please use antibacterial soap, if you re allergic to Chlorhexidine Gluconate, please use a shower gel or soap that is in a bottle.

If you usually use bars of soap, please use a new bar and store it somewhere clean and only use it for the tattoo until it has healed. Do not let anyone else use it.

4. With gently flowing warm water rinse the tattoo, ensuring to clean off all traces of soap and fluids from the tattoo.

5. Air dry the tattoo. You can towel dry the rest of you. but it's best to air dry the tattoo.

It reduces the chance of cross contamination from towels/tissue etc, it also prevents aggravating the tattoo too.

6. Once the tattoo is dry, with clean hands or you can use a clean spoon take a pea sized amount of balm from the pot.

If you need more balm, please use a clean spoon to get more balm from the pot. This helps prevent cross contamination from 'double dipping' fingers in the pot.

7. Make sure to wear loose fitting clean clothes.

On the subject of clothes best not wear any of your best clothes or put down your best bedding for a few days as the tattoo will produce some fluid within 24-48 hours (it's blood plasma & ink)

It is important to wash the tattoo at least 2-3 times a day until the scabs/flakes naturally fall off. Never pick the scabs!

Like any wound, the tattoo will develop a scab. If picked/agitated enough it will become an open wound again & can become susceptible to infection.

It also pulls the ink out & will require a touch-up.

So as tempting as it is, please don't pick your tattoo.

Common sense is essential, don't let other people touch your tattoo whilst healing unless they're helping care for it and have clean hands. Don't let dust, dirt, pet fur etc come in contact with the tattoo whilst healing.

As a tattoo Artist I can advise you how to safely and successfully heal your new tattoo. If you are concerned your tattoo may be becoming infected you will need to speak to a GP or Medical Professional as soon as possible.
In the mean time I strongly recommend removing any dressings and washing the tattoo gently but thoroughly with Hibiscrub, rinse and then re-apply some Hibiscrub and leave it on the tattoo/affected area for a few minutes then rinse and air dry. Repeat his every few hours.