Tattoo Care Before and After
Before you come
The most important thing is that you're clean.
Skin infection is a serious matter and we take every step to mitigate this. So if you present as hygenically as possible from your side, I can assure that I'll do my upmost to keep you safe from my side.
You may want to bring a bottle of water along.
Alcohol thins your blood, which makes my job more difficult and the conversations more awkward. It doesn't really help with the pain either. So please don't drink alcohol before you come.
If you want to be on top of things, you could purchase these aftercare products beforehand:
- a tube of Bepanthen Antiseptic Cream
After your tattoo
The first thing is to ignore the advice of your well-wishing friends.
There's a lot of misinformation floating around about tattoo aftercare. The best thing you can do is to follow the advice of your tattoo artist. I have a vested interest in your tattoo healing well. I want you to come back for more tattoos, and I want you to tell your friends about your positive experience.
If I've used a transparent Saniderm bandage, try to leave it on for 24 hours.
It may fill up with a bit of your blood plasma. That's a good thing. Tattoos protected with medical-grade Saniderm bandages tend to heal faster and with better results. It looks kinda gross at a time when your friends are wanting to check out your new ink, but it's worth it.
You can shower with it on, but don't soak it in a bath or go swimming. If it starts to peel off, or if you've reached the 24-hour mark, you can remove it in the shower under slightly warm water. Then gently clean the tattoo with a mild anti-bacterial soap. Pat (don't wipe) it dry with a paper towel or let it air dry.
If I've supplied you with a second bandage, once the tattoo is dry then reapply it. Make sure the sheet covers the entire area so that none of the tattoo is exposed. You can wear this sheet for up to six more days, so long as it doesn't fill up with fluid.
If this second sheet needs removed due to fluid buildup, or if it's peeled back leaving your tattoo exposed, it's time to switch into regular aftercare. Don't leave a partially exposed tattoo with no protection. Saniderm is an "all or none" deal.
Regular Aftercare
You're going to need a tube of Bepanthen Antiseptic Cream and some mild anti-bacterial soap.
Three times a day, you need to:
- Gently wash the tattoo by hand with anti-bacterial soap.
- Air dry or pat dry the tattoo with a clean paper towel.
- Apply a very thin layer of Bepanthen. You don't need to smother it, just a thin layer is enough. You don't want to suffocate the tattoo. It needs to breathe to heal.
If you look after your tattoo like this for two to three weeks (depending on how fast your body heals), you'll have the best healing experience and your tattoo will look great.
Do not pick or scratch the healing tattoo
We want the ink to stay in. If, after a few days, the tattoo starts to peel or scab then leave it alone. Continue with the regular aftercare process.
Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun
Especially during the early healing period, you should keep your fresh tattoo protected from sun exposure. This is because the sun can cause the inks to fade, and it can also cause the skin to irritate and blister.
Avoid soaking the tattoo in water for at least two weeks
You can (and should) shower, but avoid soaking the tattoo in water. This means no baths, no swimming, and no spa pools. You should also avoid exposing the tattoo to forceful water pressure. Be gentle.
After it's healed, use sunblock
Ultraviolet exposure fades your tattoo. It helps to use sunblock when you're going to be in the sun for a long time. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years. Don't use sunblock while your tattoo is still healing. You've just got to keep it covered with a loose fitting cloth if you're going into the sun for prolonged periods.
Tattoo balms & butters
These are for once your tattoo is fully healed.
There are some good products out there, but I don't have any specific recommendations other than to avoid weird difficult-to-pronounce ingredients. Just use natural products that are gentle on your skin.
