I offer a few different aftercare methods and dressings depending on the size, style, and location of your new tattoo. I will discuss aftercare options and instructions with you at your appointment but you can refer to the relevant instructions here if you’re unsure.

Supplies

Before your appointment it’s a good idea to have on hand the supplies you’ll need to look after your new tattoo.

• A gentle unscented liquid soap, Cetaphil, QV, Dr. bronners, or a tattoo specific wash are all good options.

• An aftercare balm of your choice. Anything tattoo specific is fine, Dr. Pickles is an accessible choice as it’s stocked in coles, woolies and pharmacies. Bepanthen tattoo ointment can be too heavy for more more delicate or detailed tattoos but I have found the antiseptic component helpful for healing heavy blackwork.

Aftercare

Read below for instructions specific to the dressing provided for your tattoo.

Once the dressing is removed, give the tattoo a wash with warm water and a gentle soap, make sure your hands are clean beforehand.

Pat dry with disposable paper towel and allow to air dry thoroughly before applying balm.

Apply a small amount of aftercare cream. Never over apply aftercare cream, you want the tattoo to be clearly visible, and moisturised without being wet.

Repeat these steps 2-3 times a day until the tattoo is fully healed, this usually takes 2-3 weeks.

Make sure anything touching the tattoo is clean, including your hands and clothes, and don’t let anyone else or any pets touch it.

Avoid picking and scratching your tattoo while it’s healing.

Don’t submerge your tattoo in water while it’s healing, so no swimming or baths.

Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight while it’s healing, and make sure to apply sunscreen after it’s fully healed (but not before).

Second skin

This is a clear adhesive film that acts as a protective barrier.

You can leave the second skin on for 4 - 7 days.

It’s normal for a bubble of black goop to form under the second skin! This is just excess ink and plasma and helps with the healing process.

You can shower as normal with the second skin on, but don’t submerge it in water.

Take it off immediately if your skin reacts or starts to go red around the edges of the second skin, or if the seal around the tattoo breaks or the edges peel up to expose the tattoo.

It’s easier to remove the dressing in the shower under warm water. Peel up a corner of the second skin, and then either stretch down slowly, or hold the skin taut and pull upwards along the skin. Don’t pull away at a right angle to the skin.

The most important thing is to remove the second skin slowly and gently, this can sometimes take some patience.

Occasionally there may be some adhesive residue left on your skin, a bit of olive oil or coconut oil can help remove it.

Fixomull

This is an adhesive white gauze dressing that you can leave on for up to 7 days.

If the dressing starts to peel off, you can wash the exposed area with plain soap and warm water, pat it dry, and stick the dressing back down with medical tape.

The dressing is absorbent and breathable, you can rinse it in the shower to remove excess ink and plasma.

Don’t submerge the tattoo or dressing in water, so no swimming on baths.

Take it off immediately if your skin starts to go red around the edges of the dressing or your skin starts to itch or burn as this may be an allergic reaction.

To remove, soak the dressing in warm water in the shower for as long as you can. It should peel off easily but make sure to be slow and careful.

If you have difficulty removing the dressing lathering it with unscented soap or soaking it in coconut oil or baby oil beforehand can help.

It is normal for there to be some ink transfer on the dressing.

cling wrap

Leave the cling wrap on for 1-2 hours, or until you get home and have access to a shower or clean sink.

Once you remove the cling wrap give the tattoo a wash with warm water and a gentle and unscented liquid antibacterial soap,]

Pat dry with disposable paper towel and allow to air dry for the rest of the day and night.

Make sure that anything touching the tattoo including clothes and sheets are freshly cleaned.

The tattoo will be leaking some excess plasma and ink which can stain clothes and sheets. You can rewrap the tattoo with cling wrap for the first night if you’d prefer but don’t wrap it again after this point.

Start applying moisturiser approx. 48 hours after your appointment, once the tattoo has started to dry out and is no longer sore or red.

tattoo pads

This is a thick absorbent pad that is applied to larger scale tattoos. I’ll send you home with extra pads and tape to swap out for the first few days.

Leave the pad in place overnight and remove the morning after your appointment. Wash gently and pat dry with disposable paper towel. Apply a small amount of aftercare balm and replace with a fresh pad.

Continue to replace the pads every 6-8 hours until the pads come away clean.

Touch ups

It is very common for tattoos to need a touch up once they’ve healed!

If any part of your tattoo doesn’t heal perfectly, touch ups are free.

If you’d like to book in a time for a touch up, please send me an email with a photo of the healed tattoo and what days of the week work best for you.