Tattoo care FAQ
How long does it take to heal after a tattoo?
It’s very important that you leave your bandage on until the next morning.
Once you’ve removed the bandage, wash with cool water and mild body-wash or soap. We recommend something like Ivory or Dove.
Air-dry for 24 hours. Do not use creams or moisturizers.
Why do tattoos start to itch while healing?
After 24 hours, wash normally & leave to dry for 4 hours.
Once completely dry, apply some Vaseline Intensive Rescue. It’s very important that you massage this right into the tattoo.
Wash the tattoo daily with mild body-wash or soap. Apply cream when completely dry.
Do not pick or scratch your tattoo. If you follow these instructions, your tattoo should peel like a sunburn would.
Tattoo care
- It’s very important that you leave your bandage on until the next morning.
- Once you’ve removed the bandage, wash with cool water and mild body-wash or soap. We recommend something like Ivory or Dove.
- Air-dry for 24 hours. Do not use creams or moisturizers.
- After 24 hours, wash normally & leave to dry for 4 hours.
- After 24 hours, wash normally & leave to dry for 4 hours.
- Once completely dry, apply some Vaseline Intensive Rescue. It’s very important that you massage this right into the tattoo.
- Wash the tattoo daily with mild body-wash or soap. Apply cream when completely dry.
- Do not pick or scratch your tattoo. If you follow these instructions, your tattoo should peel like a sunburn would.
Normal healing method
- Leave bandaging on for at least 2 hours, no longer than 24 hours.
- Remove bandage and with clean hands, wash your tattoo with a mild soap and very warm water. (Dove or Ivory recommended). Rinse with cold water to close pores.
- Allow tattoo to “breathe”, making sure to wear loose fitting (no tight/constricting) clothing where tattoo exists. Shower as usual but do not soak or submerge tattoo ie. No baths/swimming hot tubs for the duration of healing time (about 2 weeks).
-
After 2-3 days, at your discretion, you may use the following sparingly (once or twice a day) to soothe dryness or irritation for your tattoo:
-Unscented lotion (Lubriderm),
-Glaxal Base
-Vitamin E cream
Dermalcare / Saniderm
- Leave barrier on for 5 days.
- After 5 days, peel off barrier in the shower using unscented soap and water to help lift sticker away from skin.
- Wash tattoo well
- Dry, and apply an unscented moisturizer as needed.
- Fluid will collect underneath, this is normal the tattoo will heal beneath it.
- If fluid pools too much or parts of the barrier lift and expose tattooed areas, peel off and wash thoroughly.
- You may then either reapply a new barrier film or allow tattoo to heal as normal.
