TATTOO AFTERCARE

How to Look After Your New Tattoo

We’ve put together our recommended tattoo aftercare instructions to help your new tattoo heal properly and keep it looking its best. Taking good care of your tattoo is an important part of the process, and a little extra attention during those first few weeks can make a big difference. Every tattoo and every person heals differently, so please take the guide in mind, while following the specific aftercare instructions provided by your tattoo artist.

SECOND SKIN METHOD - WHAT IS SECOND SKIN?
Second Skin is a specialised aftercare bandage designed to act as a protective layer over your fresh tattoo while it heals.
It's a transparent, hypoallergenic adhesive film that helps keep your tattoo clean, protected and free from unnecessary irritation during the early stages of healing.
The bandage is waterproof, breathable and ultra-thin, allowing your skin to heal naturally while protecting the tattoo from friction, bacteria and external contaminants.

Benefits of Second Skin
✔ Helps reduce the risk of infection
✔ Protects the tattoo during the most sensitive stage of healing
✔ Creates a clean healing environment
✔ Minimises friction from clothing and everyday activities
✔ Can help speed up the healing process

FIRST APPLICATION
Once your tattoo is finished, your artist will apply the Second Skin bandage over the tattoo.

After it's applied, simply leave it on for five consecutive days.
During this time, your body will naturally push out a mixture of:

Excess ink
Blood
Plasma

These fluids will become trapped underneath the bandage and can make the tattoo look quite dark, messy or even completely obscured.
Don't stress, this is completely normal.
Many people think something is wrong because the tattoo can look black, blurry or filled with fluid. In reality, it's simply your body doing exactly what it's supposed to do.
Remember, a fresh tattoo is essentially an open wound, and this is a normal part of the healing process.
As your body heals, it will continue to release these fluids underneath the bandage.

WHEN SHOULD I REMOVE IT?
Leave the Second Skin on for five full days. The only exception is if the bandage starts leaking. If fluid begins escaping from underneath the bandage, remove it straight away and follow the washing instructions provided by your artist.
A leaking bandage can allow bacteria and contaminants to enter, which defeats the purpose of the protective barrier. If the bandage remains fully sealed, simply leave it on for the full five days.

REMOVING AND CLEANING YOUR TATTOO
After five days, it's time to remove the Second Skin. The easiest way to do this is in a warm shower.
Slowly peel the bandage back against itself rather than pulling it straight away from the skin. Taking your time will make the process much more comfortable and help avoid unnecessary irritation. Once the bandage has been removed, thoroughly wash your tattoo using warm water and fragrance-free soap. Use clean paper towels during the first wash to help remove any excess ink, blood, plasma and healing fluids that may still be sitting on the surface of the skin.

Don't be afraid to clean it thoroughly. It's important to remove all of the excess fluids that your body has pushed out during the healing process and that have been trapped underneath the bandage. The goal is to leave the tattoo completely clean before moving on to the next stage of healing. If these fluids are left sitting on the skin, they can interfere with the healing process and increase the risk of irritation or infection.

Take your time, clean the area properly, and make sure the skin feels fresh and clean before gently patting it dry with a clean paper towel.

CLING FILM METHOD - FIRST APPLICATION
Once your tattoo is finished, your artist will wrap it using cling film to help protect the area during the first stage of healing.

A fresh tattoo is essentially an open wound, and during the first 24 to 48 hours your body will naturally push out a mixture of:

Excess ink
Blood
Plasma

This is completely normal and is part of your body's natural healing process.

The cling film helps keep the tattoo protected from bacteria, dirt and other contaminants while these fluids are being released. We generally recommend leaving the cling film on for at least the first night and, in some cases, up to 24–48 hours, depending on the tattoo and your artist's recommendations.

SLEEPING WITH CLING FILM
It's important to keep the tattoo covered while you sleep during the first night.

As your tattoo continues to release blood, ink and plasma, these fluids can stick to your bed sheets if the tattoo is left uncovered.
If this happens, the fluids can dry overnight and cause the tattoo to stick to the fabric.

When you wake up and pull away from the sheets, you risk reopening the skin and disrupting the healing process. Keeping the tattoo wrapped while sleeping helps prevent this and gives the tattoo the best chance to begin healing properly.
If you're healing with Second Skin, this is generally not something you'll need to worry about, as the bandage will already provide that protection.

FIRST CLEAN
The following morning, remove the cling film and jump into the shower. Give the tattoo a thorough wash using warm water and fragrance free soap. Make sure you remove any excess ink, blood, plasma and healing fluids that may still be sitting on the surface of the skin.
Take your time and clean it properly. Once clean, gently pat the tattoo dry using a clean paper towel.
Avoid rubbing the tattoo with a towel, as this can irritate the skin.

MOISTURISING
Once the tattoo is no longer pushing out blood, ink or plasma, you can begin applying a thin layer of aftercare moisturiser. Less is more. Apply only enough moisturiser to lightly hydrate the skin. As a general guide, we recommend moisturising your tattoo two times per day. If your skin becomes particularly dry, you can apply a small additional amount as needed.

The key is to keep the tattoo hydrated without overdoing it. You don't want the tattoo becoming excessively dry, as this can lead to heavy scabbing and crust formation. Large scabs can pull ink from the skin during the healing process, which may affect the final result and require a touch-up later on.
We recommend continuing to moisturise your tattoo for approximately 4–8 weeks. While the surface of the tattoo may appear healed much sooner, the healing process continues underneath the skin. During this time, the pigment is settling into the dermis, which is the layer of skin where the tattoo permanently lives.
Keeping the skin healthy, hydrated and well looked after during this stage can help the tattoo heal more evenly and maintain a strong, vibrant appearance long-term. For us, one of the most important parts of aftercare is continuing to look after your skin even after the tattoo appears healed on the surface. The longer you keep your skin healthy and hydrated, the better your tattoo will look for years to come.

HYGIENE
A fresh tattoo is an open wound, so keeping it clean is essential. Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
Wear clean clothing and avoid dirty environments whenever possible during the healing period. If your tattoo becomes dirty, gently wash it and allow it to dry naturally before applying moisturiser.

THE HEALING TIMELINE

Wondering what to expect while your tattoo heals? While everyone's healing process is a little different, most tattoos follow a similar pattern over the first few weeks. Here's a general guide to help you know what’s normal:

Days 1–3: Fresh tattoo

Your tattoo is at its freshest during the first few days, so it's completely normal for the area to look a little red, swollen or feel tender. You may also notice a small amount of blood, ink or clear fluid around the tattoo.

Follow your artist's instructions for your dressing, whether you're using Second Skin or cling film. Keep the tattoo clean and try to avoid touching it unnecessarily.

Days 4–7: Drying and settling

As your tattoo starts to settle, the skin may feel dry, tight or itchy. You may also notice the beginning of some light peeling or flaking.

This is a normal part of the healing process. Continue gently washing and moisturising your tattoo as instructed, and try not to scratch, pick or peel the skin, even if it's tempting!

Week 2: Peeling and itching

During the second week, your tattoo may continue to peel and feel itchy as the skin repairs itself. Don't worry if the tattoo looks a little dull or cloudy at this stage, this is also a normal part of healing.

Let any peeling skin or scabs come away naturally and continue with your usual aftercare routine. Keeping the area clean and lightly moisturised will help support the healing process.

Weeks 3–4: Healing

By around three to four weeks, most tattoos will be well on their way to healing. The skin should start to feel smoother and your tattoo will begin to settle into its finished appearance.

Larger or more detailed tattoos can take a little longer to heal, so don't be concerned if yours needs some extra time.

Once your tattoo is fully healed, you can return to your normal routine. Looking after your skin, keeping it moisturised and protecting your tattoo from excessive sun exposure will help keep your ink looking great for years to come.

If you're ever unsure about how your tattoo is healing, get in touch with the studio. We're always happy to help and would much rather you ask than sit there wondering if something is normal.

THINGS TO AVOID
While your tattoo is healing, try to avoid:

Swimming pools
Beaches and ocean water
Saunas and spas
Direct sun exposure
Scratching or picking
Tight clothing rubbing against the tattoo
Dirty work environments
Excessive sweating for the first few days
Letting pets lick or touch the tattoo

The better you look after it now, the better it'll look in the long run.

TOUCH-UPS
We offer complimentary touch-ups within the first 3 months when required.
That said, there are some situations where touch-ups may not be included.

Touch-ups may not be covered when:

The tattoo is located in an area known for poor ink retention, including fingers, hands, feet, toes, palms, ears, lips, armpits, knees and elbows.
Aftercare instructions were not followed.
Changes, additions or alterations to the original tattoo are requested.
The original artist is no longer working at the studio.
The tattoo was completed using a single needle technique.
Numbing cream was used before or during the appointment.
A previously booked touch-up appointment was missed without notice.
The tattoo consists entirely of white ink.

If you're unsure whether your tattoo needs a touch-up, simply send us a clear photo and we'll be happy to have a look.

QUESTIONS?
If you have any concerns during the healing process, don't wait. Get in touch with us straight away.
A quick photo and message is often enough for us to help determine whether your tattoo is healing normally or if we'd like you to pop into the studio for a closer look.