View your tattoo as a wound – the first couple of hours of a tattoos healing process are the most important. Don’t let ANYONE touch your tattoo. Healing is usually around 1-2 weeks, although it can be longer in some people. Some tattoos seep blood and plasma (the clear fluid) afterwards but this usually stops after about 15 minutes. Some tattoos scab over, some don’t. Infections are rare and can be disastrous for your tattoo. Infections don’t come from tattooists – an infection starts during the aftercare of your tattoo. It is your responsibility to do whatever it takes to avoid getting an infection in your tattoo.

Day of tattoo:

• Do not leave clingfilm wrap on for any longer than 1 hour (remove before if area not exposed to clothing or dirt etc). Bacteria will multiply rapidly under clingfilm wrap if left on for too long.
• Lightly wash with mild, unscented antibacterial soap using hands and warm water in circular motions to remove all surface blood, plasma and extra pigment left on the skin. For larger tattoos, take a hot shower (not too hot) to open the pores and wash with anti-bacterial soap. Rinse with cold water to close pores again and seal in pigment.
• Gently pat dry with a clean washcloth (don’t rub).
• Apply a very thin layer of Bepanthen (if you experience any reaction, discontinue use and consult your tattooist for further recommendations).

DO NOT use any creams or lotions containing any of the following (many of them are oil based which pulls out the pigment of your tattoo. Many of them cause allergic reaction which includes swelling, infection, red rash around the tattoo, loss of pigment, prolonged healing time and massive scarring):

Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly, Sudocrem, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Perfumes, Oils, Dyes

• Let the air get to it. Denying a wound of oxygen dramatically slows down the healing process (if you don’t have to wear clothes – don’t!)
• Keep your tattoo away from pets and other animals.

First few days after tattoo:

• Wear loose, clean, soft clothing (tight clothing and certain materials will irritate tattoo and it will become sore and inflamed).
• Avoid immersing area in water (showers are fine although avoid water pounding down onto tattoo).
• Keep area clean and apply a very thin layer of Bepanthen (or Savlon if unable to use Bepanthen) 2-3 times a day.

Few days after tattoo and until tattoo is healed (few weeks):

• Your tattoo may itch (try patting the surrounding area to ease the itch).
• Your tattoo may peel (a bit like sunburn) and scab. Don’t pick or peel at the skin/scab – let it fall off naturally.
• Fresh skin will replace the dead skin and will give a faded look to the tattoo during this process but the colours will return when healing is complete.
• Wear loose clothing (tight clothing could pull at scab).
• Use a mild, unscented lotion 2-3 times a day (helps to ease the itching).
• No swimming.
• No saunas or steam rooms.
• No baths (showers are fine although avoid water pounding down onto tattoo).
• Avoid immersing area in water at all.
• No tanning (no exposure to direct sunlight or sunbeds at all – towels/clothing do not stop UV light from sunbeds damaging the tattoo). This is the main cause for tattoos fading.
• No picking, scratching or rubbing (try patting the surrounding area to ease the itch).
• Leave scab alone (pulling scabs off will also pull patches of colour out PERMANENTLY).
• Avoid shaving tattooed area until your tattoo is fully healed and there is no more peeling.

Your tattoo may still be a bit sensitive after a few weeks but it should be looking great by then.

Moderate sun exposure is ok after a few months but always use a high SPF sun block which provides both UVA and UVB protection.

Potential problems:

• Patchy, uneven colour
  • Exposure to sunlight
  • Over soaking in water
  • Using too much cream too often (causes scab to soften and soak off, drawing out the pigment)
  • (The scab should feel dry and slightly soft to the touch. If it has become moist/weepy, give it a light wash with unscented antibacterial soap then keep it dry for 1-2 days)
  • Not applying cream which causes the scab to dry out then it becomes sore and cracks leaving unpigmented scar tissue
  • Excessive movement causes the scab to split and crack, leaving unpigmented scar tissue
  • Chafing of the scab inside clothing tears portions of the scab away leaving unpigmented scar tissue

• Allergic reaction (small red bumps around the tattoo; surrounding area becoming red and more painful than usual; sometimes a clear or white discharge)

Swelling of the tissue around a healing tattoo is caused by cells in the damaged area producing histamine which promotes inflammation as part of the healing process – blood capillaries become enlarged, allowing more blood, containing healing agents to reach the area. A healing tattoo will often swell slightly, although some locations, such as the ankle, may occasionally become excessively and painfully inflamed. This swelling will go down within 1-2 weeks and application of cold compresses and anti-histamine cream will help. Tattoo aftercare (lotions and soaps) is often the cause of allergic reaction.

• Infection (green or brown discharge)

Infection of a healing tattoo, as with any wound, is caused only if the area is allowed to become dirty; matter containing bacteria collects around and inside the wound and the area becomes swollen and very sore. Stringent cleansing or a course of antibiotics should clear up any infection but the tattoo will almost certainly appear faint and patchy when healed. Avoid using creams and ointments as they will seal in the infection and cause it to get much worse. Contact your tattooist to arrange for them to see your tattoo first as it may just be red or sore to the touch but if it is an infection, you will need to dry out the infection. (Wash the tattooed area 2-3 times a day for 2 days and if the infection gets better, keep that regime up until it heals completely. If the infection stays the same or gets worse, you must see your GP who is likely to arrange for the wound to be flushed out and prescribe you antibiotics).