Aftercare
Congratulations on your new tattoo!
We want you to have the very best result from your lovely new ink, in order for it to heal crisp and clean, it’s really important that you look after it.
It will take just 10-14 days for your tattoo to heal.
Remember: A tattoo is an open wound, and is at risk of infection until it is fully healed.
Once the tattoo is finished, your artist will apply a protective covering. Leave this in place for at least 2 hours, or until you get home. It may be very tempting to remove the covering sooner whilst you’re out with friends to show them, but please resist the urge!
Clean it…
Once you get home, remove the covering and immediately wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild antibacterial handwash such as Simple or Carex – use only as per the manufacturer’s instructions and if irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately. You could also wash with H2Ocean Blue/Green Foam Soap.
Use your soft hand (no wash cloths) to gently massage away any plasma, blood and ointment and leave the skin perfectly clean. Rinse with clean lukewarm water & make sure no soap is left on the skin.
Dry it…
Use a fresh, clean, lint-free towel to gently PAT dry your new tattoo – do not rub it. Ensure the tattoo is completely dry and immediately apply aftercare ointment.
Cream it…
When applying your aftercare ointment, be sure only to apply a very small amount and massage it well into the skin until it is no longer shiny. You should not be able to see or feel the ointment on the skin after it has been rubbed in. Applying too much ointment can stop the skin from breathing properly and can cause little red pimples to form – when the pimples go away, the ink has often gone with them, leaving a dotted tattoo result!
We DO NOT recommend using Bepanthen ointment, yes, it was used to heal tattoos for many years, however this is a nappy rash cream and isn’t strictly designed for open wounds. It has changed its formula and has been linked to contact dermatitis in people with sensitive skin and because its quite thick and gloopy you’re more likely to apply it too thick and have an issue with red pimples.
At Holier Than Thou, we recommend the following aftercare products:
- Hemp Company Tattoo Aftercare – all natural ingredients, nourishes and moisturises the skin whilst providing natural antiseptic, bactericidal and analgesic care.
- Hustle Butter – Vegan and smells amazing!
- H2Ocean Ocean Foam Tattoo aftercare or H2Ocean Aquatat or H2Ocean Ocean Care – Water based, promotes skin health, high in antioxidants, fragrance free, natural
ingredients, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial. The Ocean Foam tattoo aftercare is our favourite, as it’s packaging allows the product to remain sterile until the very last pump, and contains an enzyme called Lysozyme which fights bacteria.
During Healing.
Throughout the healing phase, wash your new tattoo 2-3 times daily and apply aftercare ointment after each wash. You may also need to apply the aftercare ointment between washes if it feels dry at any point. The tattoo will scab as it heals but these should be kept as small as possible by ensuring it is properly coated in ointment at all times – big scabs will form if you do not, and these should be avoided (as they can cause the ink to fall out).
After a few days, when washing or applying ointment to your tattoo you might find small scabs coming away from the tattoo in your hand – don’t panic, this is normal and a sign of the tattoo healing!
DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH YOUR TATTOO WHILST IT IS HEALING! The little scabs need to come off on their own or else you can risk pulling the ink out and leaving the area scarred.
After the scabs come off in little sections, the tattoo immediately beneath may look ‘fuzzy’ at first – this is completely normal and will tighten up again throughout the secondary healing phase. This normally takes just a few days but the ink will “settle” for up to three months.
You can shower as normal with your healing tattoo – its perfectly fine to get the tattoo wet for
short periods of time, however DO NOT SOAK YOUR TATTOO. Submerging your tattoo in a bath, swimming pool or hot tub can cause serious damage to your new tattoo. Likewise, do not subject your tattoo to fake tan or a hot humid environment like a sauna or steam room for at least 2-3 weeks.
After It-s Healed
After your tattoo has healed, you need to keep it looking lovely for years to come! Its really important to protect your tattoo from the sun – this includes sunbeds! Ultraviolet rays break down and fade a tattoo with astonishing speed – especially any soft delicate sections leaving you with a patchy tattoo.
Be sure to wear a high protection sunblock (minimum 30 SPF+) at all times in sunny conditions to make sure your tattoo is lovely and vibrant for years to come.
If you have ANY concerns, questions or queries PLEASE get in touch.