Tattoo Aftercare

I bandage tattoos with a film called ‘Second Skin’. Second-skin is a medical-grade, transparent adhesive bandage that protects new tattoos while they are healing. It protects the tattoo from bacteria, debris, and irritation, while also helping to save clothes and linens from ink and plasma.

You should keep the bandage on for at least 3-4 days unless I have specified another specific amount of days.

During this time, it is normal to see some fluid build-up beneath the bandage. If the bandage begins to leak, please remove the bandage. This is normal for tattoos that contain a lot of black pigment in them. The fluid is just plasma and excess ink! Showering is fine with either bandage, but please don’t submerge your new tattoo in water for 2-3 weeks.

If you find the bandage comes off before 3-4 days on its own that’s fine too!

After 3-4 days, remove the Second Skin bandage gently under warm running water. Ideally the shower.

  1. To take the bandage off you must stretch from each side rather than peel it off like a Bandaid. 

  2. (If you are familiar with 3M Command Hook Strips than you stretch the bandage in the exact same way!)

  3. When you stretch the bandage it allows the adhesive to come off the skin without disrupting the tattoo.

  4. Ensure that water is going onto the bandage whilst you are stretching as this ensures the bandage will come off easier.

Wash the tattoo with warm water. At this point, your tattoo should be well into the healing process - you may use an unscented, non-greasy lotion - I recommend these ones :

  • Aveeno Unscented Moisturiser

  • Cetaphil Fragrance-Free Lotion

  • Cerave Daily Moisturising Lotion

  • Inky Salve

  • Aquaphor Healing Ointment

When moisturising, just use a thin layer - don’t overload the skin. Your tattoo is happier being on the dry side - it seems counterintuitive but keeping your fresh tattoo very moist can lead to more scabbing.

During healing your skin will be peeling and flaky - this is completely normal! Let the skin do what it needs to do in its own time - picking at the tattoo can cause loss of colour.

Your skin shouldn’t be excessively red or itchy at first, but it’s normal for your tattoo to be swollen and warm for a couple of days after being tattooed, and for it to get itchy around 5-7 days after the tattoo.

Important aftercare rules:


•  Avoid swimming in the sea / pools / soaking the tattoo in the bath within the two weeks - this risks infection, colour loss, and extra scabbing. Showers are fine!

• Avoid exposing the tattoo to direct sunlight in the first 2 weeks - once it’s fully healed you can use sunscreen to keep the tattoo from fading.

• Avoid scratching, picking, or rubbing at the tattoo. It will be very itchy after a few days - to calm down the itching you can apply a thin layer of moisturiser, gently slap it, or give it a fresh wash, dry, and moisturise.

• Avoid excessive sweating / exercise / movement / friction from clothes in the area during the first week.

• Any time you touch, wash or moisturise your new tattoo, make sure your hands are clean. Please don’t let anyone else touch your new tattoo!

Remember to keep your tattoo out of the sun for the first few weeks of healing. When the tattoo is completely healed apply a good SPF sunscreen on the tattoo to prevent fading!

I offer free touch-ups on tattoos if needed and if correct aftercare instructions have been followed.
Complimentary touch-ups are offered within one year of your appointment; however, any touch-up scheduled outside this timeframe will incur additional charges.

Enjoy your new tattoo! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email me!