• AVOID direct sunlight or sunbeds as this will cause damage to your skin/tattoo. Keep your tattoo out of the sun! I also always recommend to apply SPF on your tattoos once they are fully healed.

• AVOID soaking/submerging your tattoo in water for any length of time as this can increase the risk of infection. This means: NO baths, and NO swimming (that goes for oceans and pools!). Showers are perfectly fine as long as you don’t get the tattoo wet for too long.

• AVOID exercise or excessive sweating in the first couple of weeks. Sweat will increase the risk of infection.

• AVOID any tight clothing around the tattoo or wearing anything that will rub/irritate the tattoo.

• DO NOT pick at or scratch at your tattoo. Leave any scabs to fall off naturally.

• DO NOT use any heavily scented creams or soaps on your tattoo until it is fully healed. Do not use alcohol to clean your tattoo.

• When you get home or before you go to bed, wash your hands, remove the clingfilm and gently wash your tattoo with anti-bacterial, sensitive/fragrance-free liquid soap (I recommend brands like Dettol or Simple) and warm water.
  
  
• Let the tattoo air dry or pat it dry gently with a paper towel (do not use fabric towels as they can harbour bacteria). Make sure your tattoo is as dry as possible before re-wrapping. Do not apply any cream just yet.
  
  
• Re-wrap your tattoo overnight with fresh clingfilm. Make sure you are using NEW clingfilm.
  
  
• Once you wake up, remove the clingfilm, wash, dry, and re-wrap again.
  
  
• Repeat this process three times a day (morning, afternoon, evening) for the first couple of days until your tattoo begins to feel dry/scab over.

Redness, sensitivity, swelling and bruising is all normal in these first few days. However, if the redness spreads, your tattoo becomes more painful, extra weepy, or is showing signs of infection, please consult advice as soon as you can.

It is also normal to see a build-up of excess ink, blood or plasma underneath your clingfilm for the first few days. If at any point the build-up is excessive, feel free to remove it, clean and dry your tattoo, and replace the wrap with a fresh one.

After a few days/when your tattoo is beginning to scab over, look wrinkly or feel tight/dry, you no longer need to protect it with clingfilm and can start to apply cream.

• Simply wash and dry your tattoo 2-3 three times a day like before, and now apply a THIN layer of aftercare cream after each wash or whenever you feel is needed.
  I recommend Palmer’s UNSCENTED cocoa butter, Aveeno unscented moisturiser, or Hustle Butter.

The tattoo will now likely go through an ‘ugly’ phase where you will experience some scabbing or skin peeling during the healing process. It may appear dull and also feel very itchy! This is completely normal- but please, DO NOT scratch your tattoo, and do not pick at the scabs or the dead skin as this can lead to ink loss!

Keep your skin moisturised (but not absolutely caked in cream) and allow any scabs/flaking to come off naturally.

Keep this up for a week or two until your tattoo is mostly healed.

Keep the first piece of Dermalize/second skin on for 24 hours, then remove.

After removing this piece, wash your tattoo with unscented soap and pat dry with a paper towel/kitchen roll (not normal towels or tissues).

Make sure your hands are clean and your tattoo is COMPLETELY dry before applying the second piece of Dermalize/second skin.

You may now leave this on for up to 7 days. Once you remove the second skin, wash your tattoo carefully to remove any excess adhesive and begin applying a thin layer of aftercare cream where needed.

It is normal to see a build-up of excess ink, blood or plasma underneath the second skin, especially in the first 24-48 hours. If at any point the build-up is excessive or if the second skin’s seal breaks, please remove it asap, clean and dry your tattoo, and replace the second skin with a fresh piece/or use clingfilm.

If you develop any rashes under the second skin and/or your skin/tattoo becomes red or sensitive, remove it, clean and dry your tattoo, and switch to the clingfilm method.

It’s not uncommon for the tattoo to be sore or sensitive to the touch, swollen, red, or even bruised for a little while. Ideally, this should subside after 3-5 days and last no longer than a week.

It can take up to 4 weeks for a tattoo to heal completely, but the time may vary due to size, placement, and type of tattoo. For example, areas with heavy shading or colour will scab more heavily than linework and may take a little longer to heal.