Babe like the pig

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Tattoo Artist

Aftercare

Every tattoo is case by case and individual advice may vary. I recommend giving the below a read through before a session, as it’s a fab time to ask questions if you have any! I do go through all aftercare in person at the appointment, but here’s a copy of the general rule of thumb - follow this and you can’t go too astray!

Side note - there’s a lot of advice out there, and a lot of different methods. If you already have a healing process that you have found is successful for you - do you!

WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE INTERACTING WITH A NEW TATTOO!

First of all, just to say that we can over-interact with new tattoos - over washing is also a problem, so make sure NOT to obsess, especially if it’s your first tattoo!

Leave on the Second skin for as close as you can get to 3 days. There’s a good chance it may start to come off itself before. If it’s peeling off and about to hit the tattoo, take it off! Its better to let the baby breath then have something stuck between the second skin and a new tattoo! If your tattoo begins to leak before the three days, take it off - if things can get out, things can get in and it’s no longer sterile!

If the second skin is still on your tattoo on the 3rd day fabulous, time to take it off. I made a video demonstrating the best way to do this. I recommend giving it a watch before you take it off! ꕥ Fun Video Here ꕥ

  1. If you cannot access the above video, heres some written instruction;
    Best way to do this is in the shower, or under warm running water. Grab a corner, and     keeping your hand against your skin, start to stretch the second skin. As it stretches, it will slowly unstick itself. DO NOT try to peel it off by pulling it away from you - this may pull out parts of the tattoo and affect the finished look.

  2. If it’s on your back or somewhere difficult to reach, you may want to get a buddy to help!

  3. Once it’s off, wash off any residue slowly and gently using soap and your hands, going in soft circular motions. NO EXFOLIATION. Once clean, rinse and either air-dry or pat-dry with clean kitchen roll - NO TOWELS ! Once fully dry, apply a thin layer of moisturiser.  I DO NOT recommend Vaseline or bepanthen. I DO NOT recommend ‘pots’ of moisturiser (things we need to put our hands in and out of). Dispensers that pump or tubes you squeeze are much more sanitary.

  4. You will need to do this 1-2 times a day depending on your skin type. Morning and evening is great. DO NOT pick scabs! I know it’s tempting but it could greatly compromise the heal and finished look of the tattoo!

  5. Do this process for approx. 2 weeks until the tattoo feels healed.

Please note, tattoos keep healing under the skin for up to 6 weeks after the tattoo process. DO NOT submerge a new tattoo in water. This includes baths or hot tubs, swimming pools, the sea / natural bodies of water and Steam rooms. DO NOT expose it to direct sunlight and DO NOT apply suncream or any other products other than moisturiser after cleaning for the first 2 weeks minimum. Once FULLY healed, SPF encouraged!

I do have products that I can recommend for you to wash and moisturise your new tattoo, however you know what sits best on your body and as long as it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, nasties or fragrances, you should be okay - Please do feel free to ask me on the day!

If you need anything from me in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Big love, Babe x