In short. This is only a summary. Please read the full instructions below as well.
- Wash once a day for 1 week: lukewarm water and a pH-neutral soap, gently. Pat dry, never rub.
- Cream twice a day for 14 days: a very thin layer of pure shea butter or TattooMed After Tattoo. More is not better: too much cream harms the healing.
- No sport or anything else that makes you sweat a lot for 1 week.
- No sun, pools, sea, sauna or hot tubs for 4 weeks.
- Don’t scratch or pick at the tattoo.
Healing can vary slightly from person to person.
The protective film
The cling film I put on at the end of your session stays on for 2 to 4 hours. Then wash your hands, remove the film gently and wash the tattoo for the first time, as described below.
Washing: once a day, for 1 week
- Wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
- Use lukewarm water and a mild, pH-neutral, fragrance-free soap. Wash gently with your fingertips, without a washcloth or sponge.
- Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub. Then let it air dry for a moment.
- Showering is fine, just don’t let the tattoo soak.
Cream: twice a day, for 14 days
- Apply a very thin layer of pure shea butter or TattooMed After Tattoo cream in the morning and in the evening, on clean, dry skin.
- The skin needs to breathe: the tattoo should look slightly satin, not shiny or greasy. If you can see a layer of cream, it is too much. Dab the excess off with a clean paper towel.
- Too much cream keeps the skin soft and wet, which slows the healing and can blur fine lines.
Sport and sweating: 1 week
For the first week, avoid sport and anything that makes you sweat a lot, such as the gym, running or hot yoga. Sweat and friction irritate freshly tattooed skin. Wear loose, clean clothing over the tattoo.
Sun, water and heat: 4 weeks
For 4 weeks, keep the tattoo away from:
- Direct sunlight. Cover it with loose clothing, and do not put sunscreen on a tattoo that has not fully healed.
- Pools, the sea, lakes, baths and hot tubs.
- Saunas and steam rooms.
Don’t scratch
After a few days the tattoo may itch and start to flake. That is part of the healing. Don’t scratch, pick or peel the skin: let the flakes come off on their own. If it itches, tap it lightly with clean fingers.
What is normal
- Some redness, warmth and tenderness in the first days.
- A little clear fluid or ink on the first day.
- Itching, dry skin and flaking.
- While it heals, the tattoo can look slightly dull or milky. This is temporary.
Healing usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Long-term care
Once the tattoo has fully healed, use SPF 50 whenever it is in strong sunlight and keep your skin moisturised. Sun protection is what keeps fine lines crisp over the years.
Free touch-up within 3 months
A touch-up is free of charge within 3 months of your tattoo. If you think your tattoo needs one, contact me once it has fully healed so I can take a look.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you notice:
- Redness that keeps spreading
- Swelling or pain that increases
- Pus or unusual discharge
- Fever or feeling unwell
- Red streaks running from the tattoo
- A strong or worsening skin reaction
Questions?
Every skin heals a little differently. If something worries you, contact me: a photo helps me take a look. For signs of an infection or an allergic reaction, see a doctor.