AFTERCARE
INSTRUCTIONS
ADVICE FOR HELPING YOUR NEW ADDITION
HEAL, AND LAST, TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL
@e.hayes.art
Please note that every artist will recommend slightly different aftercare advice based on their own tattooing style, preferences and experiences. You may have been given different instructions in a previous appointment, or heard conflicting views from your peers/the internet and that is okay!
There are some very wrong ways to treat a new tattoo, but also a lot of different ways to optimise its healing, and the following advice is based purely on my own experience in what I've found to be most effective in the longevity of my clients' tattoos (and my own) thus far.
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If you have any questions about my advice, never be afraid to ask me about it during our appointment; I'm always happy to explain my process whenever I can!
BUT WHY IS HEALING
SO IMPORTANT?
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SKIN.
SIMPLE STEPS FOR
SMOOTH SAILING
continue scrolling for more details about each step
01
APPLY SECOND SKIN
I opt to apply second skin on my clients given the intricate nature of my work. Alternatively I happily wrap them in cling-film dependent on your skin & preferences.
03
MOISTURISE THE AREA
DAILY
I recommend moisturising your new tattoo 2-3 times per day with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser to help prevent excessive scabbing and itching to assist with smoother healing.
02
CLEAN YOUR TATTOO
Once the second skin is removed it's important the tattoo is cleaned before being moisturised/exposed. Cleanliness in general is vital for preventing infection, not just for the sake of your tattoo, but overall health.
04
AVOID THE SUN AND SUBMERGED WATER
Both of these guarantee poor healing, and as a general rule, artists recommend refraining from direct sun exposure and swimming for 2 weeks after your tattoo.
SECOND SKIN
Originally designed for burns victims, 'second skin' (dermashield) is a waterproof, transparent adhesive film that can be placed over the tattoo, and left there for 3-5 days following your appointment.​
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It works through two main methods; firstly, keeping out all the bacteria, contaminants and dirt from the outside world. And secondly, by trapping a layer of plasma (containing white blood cells)
underneath the film to speed up healing.
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Essentially, it keeps all the bad stuff out, and the good stuff in; whilst also protecting your tattoo against friction from clothing & making those first few days of healing smoother.
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It can stay on for that 3-5 day window as long as the seal remains in-tact, otherwise it must be removed as the opposite becomes true.
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If you have an allergy to adhesives, this option may not be for you which is a-okay! I will still wrap the tattoo in cling film & the following steps still apply.
CLEANING YOUR TATTOO
Once the second skin or cling film is removed, it's important to clean your tattoo before its exposed to the outside world. Infection is easy to avoid, and is important for not just a well-healed tattoo, but also your overall health, as potential pathogens can manifest into ugly infections if left to fester.
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First, clean your hands in warm water with a scent-free, antibacterial hand wash (such as dettol), and then gently do the same to your tattoo. Pat the skin dry (don't rub it!) and it's ready for your moisturiser.
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Keeping the tattoo clean should be a daily priority, especially in the early stages of healing when it is most vulnerable. The best ways to ensure cleanliness include:
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- Not touching your tattoo with unwashed hands
- Sleeping on fresh, clean bed linen & wearing clean clothes
- Keeping pets away from your tattoo & any clothing/sheets that
come in frequent contact with your skin
- Avoiding dirty areas/environments
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MOISTURISING
Moisturising the tattoo helps prevent excessive scabbing and itching during the healing process. Scabbing is a normal part of healing any abrasion, however, too many scabs can negatively impact the quality of your tattoo.
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I recommend using a gentle, fragrance free moisturiser such as QV, Cetaphil or Cocoa Butter during healing. The gentler the better, as those with fragrances generally have chemicals that will inflame the tattoo and and make it feel rather uncomfortable.
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When asking the question of 'how often should I moisturise?' this varies between people & their skin, but generally I recommend ~2x daily for optimal results. It's also important not to over-moisturise the tattoo, as this can cause blistering, swelling or an opportunity for infection (stagnant moisture = a home for bacteria), so start with a twice daily regime and adjust based on your skin's needs.
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It's worth noting that fully healed tattoos also look better when moisturised, so a good moisturising routine is beneficial to keep up for your skin's health regardless.
AVOIDING THE
SUN & WATER
Very few things worth doing come without sacrifice or compromise, and tattoos aren't exempt from this truth. Tattoos take at least 2 weeks to heal, (a full 6 weeks in actuality) - and during the first fortnight of healing it is super important to protect your tattoo from direct sun exposure, and submerged water.
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The sun's harsh UV rays damage our skin, which is very vulnerable when healing. So wear protective clothing & avoid the direct sun in those two weeks, eventually graduating to sunscreen as your skin closes over, and your new tattoo will thank you! Ongoing sun protection will also maintain the quality of your skin for better tattoos in the future, as well as preventing complications such as skin cancer (especially in this part of the world).
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When we submerge a new tattoo in water, the ink follows water, and will leach out of your skin into its surroundings (especially the ocean, as water follows salt & ink follows water). This will cause drop out & patchy healing - not to mention increase the likelihood of infection as stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria.
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Showers are of course ok! But please stay away from pools, saunas, the beach, baths and anywhere that might get your tattoo too wet.
