~ how to prepare for your tattoo ~

Never show up to your appointment with an empty stomach . Your body needs energy.

Strictly no alcohol least 24 hrs before your appointment

No sunbed  usage allowed at least 48 hrs before your appointment

If you are planning to go on holiday (especially sunny, hot places)

your skin needs at least 4 weeks to settle, before and after!

Otherwise you could end up with serious problems :

-sun allergy

-skin irritation

-infection

Please bear in mind: I can’t work over  sunburnt and peeling skin

You can invite a maximum  of 1 friend or family member. We don’t want a crowd around while we are working on your unique tattoo.

• Aftercare starts as soon as your tattoo is done.
• The artist should apply a thin layer of petroleum ointment over the tattoo, and then cover the area in a bandage or plastic wrap. 
• This covering prevents bacteria from getting into your skin. It also protects the tattoo from rubbing on your clothes and getting irritated.
• Keep the dressing on for a few hours. It will help absorb any fluid or excess ink that leaks from the tattoo.
• After a few hours, you can remove the bandage. You will be advised at your appointment.
• Wash your hands first with lukewarm water and soap. Then gently wash the tattoo with fragrance-free soap and water.
• Pat your skin dry with a soft cloth. Apply a small amount of aftercare ointment to the tattoo. You can keep the bandage off at this point to let your skin breathe.

You should:

• Wear sun-protective clothing whenever you go outside
• Call your tattoo artist or doctor if you have any signs of infection or other problems

You shouldn’t:

• Cover your tattoo with sunblock until it’s fully healed
• Scratch or pick at the tattoo
• Wear tight clothing over the tattoo
• Go swimming or immerse your body in water (showers are fine)

———————

Tattoo aftercare by day

How quickly you heal depends on the size of your tattoo and how intricate it is. Bigger tattoos will stay red and swollen longer, because they cause more trauma to your skin.

Day 1

You’ll come home from the artist with a bandage over your tattoo. After a few hours, you can remove it. You should ask your artist for specifics about how long to wait.

Once the bandage comes off, you’ll probably notice fluid  from the tattoo. This is blood, plasma (the clear part of blood), and some extra ink. It’s normal. Your skin will also be red and sore. It might feel slightly warm to the touch.

Follow the aftercare advice given to you at your appointment.

Leave the bandage off so the tattoo can heal.

Days 2 to 3

Your tattoo will have a duller, cloudy appearance by now. This happens as your skin heals. Scabs will start to form.

Wash your tattoo once or twice a day and apply a fragrance- and alcohol-free moisturiser. When you wash, you might notice some ink running into the sink. This is just excess ink that’s come up through your skin.

Days 4 to 6

The redness should start to fade. You’ll probably notice some light scabbing over the tattoo. The scabs shouldn’t be as thick as scabs you get when you cut yourself, but they will be raised. Don’t pick at the scabs — this can cause scarring.

Keep washing your tattoo once or twice a day. Apply moisturizer.

Days 6 to 14

The scabs have hardened and will begin to flake off, if  you  ever had  any. Don’t pick at them or try to pull them off, let them come off naturally. Otherwise, you could pull out the ink and leave scars.

At this point your skin may feel very itchy. Gently rub on a moisturiser several times a day to relieve the itch.

If your tattoo is still red and swollen after a week or two contact your artist.

Days 15 to 30

In this last stage of healing, most of the big flakes will be gone and the scabs should be going away. You might still see some dead skin, but it should eventually clear up too. The tattooed area might still look dry and dull. Keep moisturizing until the skin looks hydrated again.

By the second or third week, the outer layers of skin should have healed. It may take three to four months for the lower layers to completely heal. By the end of your third month, the tattoo should look as bright and vivid as the artist intended.

Tattoo aftercare products

Always use a mild, fragrance-free soap or a specially formulated tattoo cleanser to clean the area. Your tattoo artist can recommend a tattoo-specific cleanser.

 Always  just  a  thin  layer  of  cream,which means it won’t clog your pores and cause infection. Putting on too thick of a layer won’t allow your skin to breathe!

Check with your artist before putting any other unproven products on your tattoo.

Potential side effects and complications

For the first few days after you get your tattoo, your skin may be red, itchy, and sore. You may notice excess ink, along with blood and fluid, leaking from your skin. This is normal.

If you begin experiencing symptoms of any of the following complications, see your doctor:

Infection

A tattoo that isn’t properly cared for can get infected. Infected skin will be red, warm, and painful. It may also leak pus.

Allergic reaction

If you’re sensitive to the ink your artist used, you may develop a red, itchy skin reaction at the site. Red, green, yellow, and blue dyes are the most likely to cause a reaction.

Scarring

Damage from the needle, or from picking at the tattoo, can cause your body to produce scar tissue. Scars can be permanent.

Long-term tattoo aftercare tips

Once your tattoo has healed, you move into maintenance mode. Though you don’t have to specifically care for it after three or four months, there are things you can do to prevent the ink from degrading.

You should

• Keep it clean. Wash your skin daily with a gentle, unscented soap.
• Keep your skin moisturized.
• Avoid scratchy objects which can damage your tattoo.