PHASE 1 (Days 1 - 7)

Your artist may cover your new tattoo in clear saran wrap to help prevent dust and dirt from invading and infecting the freshly tattooed skin.

Your artist will recommend how long you should keep the wrap on for. Once removed, you may find some plasma and ink leaking from your skin.

Gently wash your new tattoo 2-3 times per day with soap and gently pat dry with clean paper towels (cloth towels can harbour bacteria).

Once patted dry, wait for approximately 5-10 minutes to allow the new tattoo to air dry further.

This process allows excess moisture from swelling and washing to evaporate.

Now your tattoo is dry it’s time to gently and evenly apply a natural balm with clean hands. This helps to speed up recovery of the tattooed skin, reduce discomfort and minimise risk of infection.

PHASE 2 (Days 8 - 14)

Avoid picking at flaking skin or any scabbing that may have occured and continue to wash your tattoo with soap.

From this point you can continue to apply a natural balm to ease any discomfort, such as itching and tightness.

The balm also, and most importantly, keeps the skin hydrated and nourished to ensure continued healing.

Smaller tattoos may finish healing in this phase.

PHASE 3 (Day 15 and beyond)

Continue to apply a natural balm in thin layers to maintain fresh and healthy skin in the final stages of your tattoos healing.

In most cases, any itching and discomfort will likely have disappeared by this point.

Larger tattoos will begin to finish healing in this phase and any scar tissue from the tattooing process will begin to improve and disappear.

Use a natural balm each day to keep your skin and ink looking healthy and fresh.

STEP 1: The Bandage

1. Leave the Bandage On: Keep the second skin on for 4-6 days.
2. Normal Showering is Fine: The bandage is water-resistant, allowing you to shower normally, but avoid soaking the tattoo for extended periods in baths, pools, or hot tubs.
3. Expect "Black Goo": It's normal to see excess ink, blood, and plasma collecting under the bandage.
4. Remove Carefully once healed:
   • In a steamy shower, gently begin to peel the bandage off, working in the opposite direction of the adhesive.
   • If it is stuck, use warm water to help loosen it.
5. Clean the Tattoo:
   • Wash the area with a small amount of gentle, unscented liquid soap and cool water.
   • Gently pat it completely dry with a clean paper towel.

STEP 2: After Bandage Removal

1. Moisturise: Apply a thin, even layer of an unscented tattoo aftercare balm or fragrance-free moisturiser to the tattoo.
2. Continue Washing: Wash the tattoo 2 times daily with gentle, unscented soap for the first few days.
3. Avoid Picking/Scraping: Let any scabs or flaking skin fall off naturally; do not pick or scratch them.
4. Wear Loose Clothing: Wear loose-fitting clothes to avoid abrasion on the healing tattoo.
5. Protect from Sun: Keep the new tattoo out of direct sunlight and avoid prolonged sun exposure for several weeks. Factor 50 always.
6. Avoid Water Activities: Do not soak the tattoo in any water (baths, pools, hot tubs) until it is fully healed, approx 2 weeks.

Top Healing Tips & Advice

• Wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
• Do not re-wrap the tattoo once you have removed your first wrap - it needs to breathe to heal.
• Wear loose fitting clothing during the healing process to avoid rubbing and irration.
• Unless you are cleaning it, leave it alone!
• Stay out of water during the healing process i.e. swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, bath tub, etc.
• Showering is fine but avoid a heavy and constant flow of water onto the tattoo.
• Keep the tattoo out of the sun and avoid the sun bed during the healing process.
• Ensure you have clean bedding and sheets.
• Avoid places that can be dirty, such as the gym.
• Avoid sweating too much whilst healing your tattoo, there can be harmful bacteria in your sweat.
• Avoid over-moisturising, only a thin layer is required.
• Healing times vary from person to person, use the advice on this page, but tailor it to meet your individual needs if and when necessary.