TATTOO AFTERCARE
1. The cling film your tattooist places over the tattoo needs to be kept on for 30 minutes, this will help stop the skin bleeding, and also prevent blood running and ruining clothing.
2. After 30 minutes remove the cling film and gently wash the area with warm water, using your hand.
3. It is essential that you use antiseptic cream 4 times a day on the tattoo for the first week, and once a day in the second week, this should be available from your tattooist. Note: this should always be antiseptic cream not antiseptic spray.
4. The first two weeks are the most important for a tattoo, therefore as well as using the antiseptic cream you should keep your tattoo covered from sunlight and also stay out of chlorinated waters such as swimming pools, for a minimum of 7 days.
5. To clean the skin you can wash as normal, patting the tattoo dry rather than rubbing it. Apply the antiseptic cream after drying. Also apply cream whenever the tattoo looks or feels dry.
6. Your tattoo will heal like good sunburn. It may peel, flake and possibly scab. This is normal, however the possibility of this can be reduced by using the antiseptic cream as recommended. You need to keep it moist, away from direct sun exposure, and do not pick at it.
7. After your tattoo peels, your body will replace this skin with a temporary layer. This layer will look milky, slightly opaque. This will dull the color of your tattoo for a little while. This temporary layer will come away at your body's natural cycle of exfoliation, about 4 to 6 weeks.
