Taking care of your new tattoo shouldn’t be a headache, but each and every single tattoo artist usually gives different directions. After we all have our different recommendations, our own different experiences and preferences.
If you got a tattoo by me and forgot the procedure, or if you plan to come visit me, then here is what I recommend:
By all accounts, after the tattoo is done, a second skin self adhesive, see through plaster will be applied to the fresh tattoo. This is a durable, resistant plaster that is airtight and leakproof. You can shower with it, but you can’t bathe. You should treat it as an uncovered tattoo and avoid the sun, excessive sweating, bruising the skin and generally any aggression to the skin.
The second skin should be worn a minimum of 2 days or 48 hours from the tattoo appointment, up to – ideally – 5 days. If you find out the second skin is irritating you, it’s barely holding anymore due to sweating or movement, 3 or 4 days are fine too. To remove the second skin, hop in a warm or tepid shower, and using water and clean hands, pull the second skin from the top down slowly. Please note the tattoo will release ink and plasma in the first 24 hours. This is normal and will not affect the healing at all, only the appearance of the second skin.
After the plaster period is finished, you can now treat the tattoo with any aftercare of your preference, as long as it is hypoallergenic. I usually recommend Bepanthen cream, but note it should be avoided if you allergic to wool due to its lanolin content. Apply it every 2 to 4 hours in a thin layer to keep the tattoo hydrated, according to your need. Don’t hesitate to space it more if the tattoo is well hydrated, and do it more frequently if you find it a bit dry. Do not scratch, cut or aggravate the tattoo. Do not pull the flakes of skin even if it is tempting to do so !
Keep up the hydrating period for 10 days.
Two weeks after the tattoo appointment, you can check if any issue has appeared in the tattoo. Missing lines and such can and do happen from time to time. Three weeks to four after the appointment we can plan a free warranty touch up on the tattoo if you’d like it.
There it is, congratulations on your new tattoo !