Tattoos have become such a beautiful form of self-expression through art! Tattoo aftercare is just as important as picking the right artist and the right design. How you take care of your new tattoo will play a massive role in how it heals and looks over time. By taking the time to nurture and care for your new tattoo, not only will it enhance the outcome of your tattoos, it will bring a deeper appreciation for the artistry that is now permanently a part of your skin. Take the time to commit to preserving the essence of your chosen artwork, by following the aftercare/healing advice mentioned in this blog. Bonus action plan included at the end.

The first decision.

Directly after your tattoo, it is up to you wether you want to use second skin for the initial healing process or not. Your tattoo artist will also give you their advice on this. This blog will focus more on the process if you choose to forgo the second skin option. There is however another blog on my site that covers everything about second skin.

The afterglow.

You've just had a handcrafted artwork placed inside your skin, and I'm sure you're still on that post-tattoo high for the first few hours. With that, your tattoo healing journey has just begun. It's important to remember through all of this that you now essentially have an open wound on your skin, and you need to treat it as such. The first important step is to have your artist wrap your new tattoo with some plastic wrap, just for the journey home, so your tattoo doesn't scratch or pick up dirt on the drive.

Cleanliness and Nurturing your art.

After you get home, before you have the best after-tattoo-sleep of your life, you gently take the plastic wrap off and throw it away. You always have to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo. Now you want to hop in the shower, and give your new tattoo a gentle wash with unscented, sulphate-free, and chemical-free soap. There are soaps available made specifically for tattoos, my favourites being from Dragon Skincare and Flash Ink Tattoo care. Otherwise, Sanex Zero, Protex Gentle and Dove original are great options to use. I prefer a liquid soap rather than a bar, so Sanex Zero Sensitive is my preferred favourite.

After the wash, you want to walk around a bit and let your tattoo air dry, or if you're in a rush, you can gently dab it dry with a clean paper towel. You do not want to dry it off with a towel, as germs can get trapped in body towels. Follow this rule throughout the healing process.

After it has dried completely, an added personal favourite of mine, is to give it a light spray with witch hazel. Witch hazel has such a soothing effect on your tattoo and gives it that extra clean. Let that air dry as well, and then you can wash your hands and apply a very thin amount of moisturiser to the tattoo. The same tattoo brands have amazing tattoo healing moisturisers as well (Dragon skincare is my favourite). Generic moisturisers that work well is Bennet's Nipple Cream, E45, Aquafor or Epimax. Do not smother your tattoo in moisturiser! Apply as thin a layer as you would apply lip balm on your lips. And then you leave your new tattoo alone. Jump into clean, soft, loose fitting, dark clothing - nothing that will be scratchy or tight on the area of your tattoo, and something that won't be ruined if some blood plasma and ink leaks out a bit overnight.

Continue this cleaning regime 2 times a day (morning and night) for the next 3 weeks minimum. If you have dry skin or the tattoo dries out a bit too much, moisturise 3 times a day.

A very important note; it is necessary to clean all your bedding before your new tattoo to ensure that no hidden dirt will get on your freshly cleaned tattoo. It is also extremely important if you have pets to very careful with pet hair close to your new tattoo. If you have a pet that sleeps in your bed, as tough as it is, they can't sleep with you for at least a week to 10 days into the healing process. Pet hair carry a lot of bacteria and dirt that can easily infect your new tattoo. You also have to be careful that they don't rub, lick or lay on you for the time being. Watch out for mutual areas as well, like couches where pet hair may also hide. I know this is tough to regulate, but it's worth the effort to make sure your tattoo doesn't get infected.

Shielding your ink.

A new tattoo is so susceptible to damage from the sun's harmful rays. You want to keep your new tattoo out of the sun as much as possible. In the beginning stages of healing, until about 2 weeks in, you don't want to put sunscreen on, because it's generally smothering to your tattoo and can do more harm than good in the beginning. Try and avoid the sun like the plague for a while, and after the 2 weeks be sure to protect your tattoo with a good quality sunscreen (preferably SPF50+) every time you'll have prolonged exposure to sunlight.

You and the itch are one.

During the healing process, there will come a time when the tattoo starts itching like crazy. This is great! Itching after getting a new tattoo is perfectly normal, it means your skin is well on it's way to healing itself, but yielding to the itch can spell disaster for your tattoo. No matter how much the irritation takes over your mind, you can't scratch your tattoo. Scratching can prematurely take off scabs or skin flakes that might take some ink with it and cause a patchy heal. You protect those skin flakes with your life; do not pick at them! If the itch feels too unbearable and your self control is running thin, apply a thin layer of moisturiser, or you can gently tap on your tattoo with clean hands just to relieve it for a moment and then try to go about your day. The itch shall pass; the tattoo is forever.

No soaking, no exceptions.

You don't want to soak your new tattoo in water for at least 2-3 weeks. This means no lying in a bubble bath with some wine and candles, at least not for now. A quick bath if you miss it too much is fine - wash, rinse with clean water and get out. Your tattoo can get wet, but can't soak! A shower is recommended instead for the time being. This also includes hot tubs, and swimming pools. Swimming with a new tattoo is an extra large no, the chlorine is brutal on a new tattoo, not to mention general dirt and bacteria in a pool. Same for the ocean - if you had a case of some bad planning and have a beach holiday right after your tattoo, you can't go into the sea with your tattoo.

But can I gym though?

For the fitness fanatics; "Can I gym after getting a tattoo?" No. Nope. Sorry. The amount of germs on gym equipment is honestly scary. You're cleaning and nurturing this open wound, and then go and lather in sweat and rubbing against other people's sweat and germs in a public place. This can cause infection so quickly and is not recommended at all. It is, again, an inconvenience for a while, for something that's going to be on your body forever. It is worth it to take the break for at least a week before going back to the gym. Also no sauna for the next 3 weeks.

Keep contact with your artist.

Tattoo artists (generally) really care about their clients and their art even after you've left the studio. We wonder how the healing is going, if you're okay, if you're happy, if you're having any issues. If you have any questions or concerns during the healing process, reach out to your artist! I promise you, they won't mind. Try not to reach out to your tatted friends or family for advice - reach out to the artist that did it instead, as this is where you'll find the best advice for yourself specifically.

Action Plan; TLDR

1. Take the plastic wrap off.
2. Wash your new tattoo.
3. Air dry.
4. Witch Hazel (optional)
5. Air dry.
6. Thin layer of moisturiser.
7. Repeat for at least 3 weeks.
8. Clean clothes, clean sheets.
9. Loose fitting clothes.
10. Avoid contact with pets.
11. The sun is the devil.
12. After 2 weeks; sunscreen everyday for the rest of your life.
13. Do not dare scratch that itch.
14. Pat the itch if your self control is limited.
15. Do not pick at flakes or scabs.
16. Scabs are your friend.
17. No soaking (bathing or swimming).
18. No Sauna.
19. Keep contact with your artist.
20. That's all, thanks.