1. FOLLOW YOUR TATTOO ARTIST'S ADVICE

Aftercare advice will vary from artist to artist and we will approach aftercare advice as we tattoo you, Listen to the instructions your artist gives you, it can sometimes change with type of skin or type of product you use if you can't remember the steps follow the next 7 instructions. 

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2. AFTER A FEW HOURS GENTLY WASH THE TATTOO

Leave the covering on the tattoo for the first 2-5 hours, then to carefully remove it and gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and mild liquid soap, like Carex.

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3. APPLY A THIN LAYER OF UNSCENTED MOISTURISING CREAM

You should then apply a thin layer of an unscented moisturising cream we highly recommend coconut oil – we may have alternatives at the studio for you to purchase or we will guide you in the right direction if we are out. You can either then recover with clingfilm/gauze, or leave it open to the air, depending on your artists advice. Generally, we advise you to repeat the cleaning process 3-5 times a day.

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4. KEEP THE TATTOO CLEAN AND DRY

Keep the tattoo clean and dry, and avoid soaking it in water for at least a month (showers are ok, baths are not). If your clothes are likely to rub on it, keep it covered with gauze/clingfilm and medical tape.

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5. AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT

Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight unless necessary. Healed tattoos, especially coloured ones, can fade in the sun – so when it's completely healed, make sure it's covered in a high SPF.

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6. BE PATIENT WITH HEALING TIMES 

Healing times depend on how well you heal and the size of the design. This can range anywhere from around a week for simple, small line designs, to several months for complex, larger designs. Keep following your aftercare instructions for as long as the artist told you to, and make sure the tattoo is kept well-moisturised and clean for a good few months after that, avoiding abrasive skin products.

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7. DO. NOT. SCRATCH.

As the tattoo heals, it may scab or flake slightly. Avoid picking at it, as this may remove the ink in that area and lead to patches fading or being removed altogether. If it itches, don't scratch – slap it lightly instead. This should only last for the first few weeks or so – if it stays raised, itches uncontrollably, is red around the design, keeps bleeding for more than a day or so after having it done, or is continuously hot to the touch, go back to your artist or seek medical advice. Infected tattoos are very rare but can happen, and it's always worth getting it checked out if you're worried about it.

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8. COME BACK TO THE STUDIO FOR TOUCH UPS, IF NEEDED

If you do lose ink, we will retouch it for free – bad tattoos and service lead to bad reputations, so it's in our interest to make sure you're happy with the final product.  After about 6 weeks, go back if you need touch-ups on any area of the tattoo.