Thank you for getting your tattoo with me! Let's make sure you can take good care of it. Here’s a reminder of the healing process:
Once you remove the plastic wrap, and every 3-4 hours afterward (except at night, no worries!) take a mild, neutral soap and wash your hands thoroughly first. Then, gently wash your fresh tattoo using soft circular motions—no rubbing or scrubbing! Pat it dry with a clean paper towel, dabbing gently until the excess water is removed.
Once you're in a clean environment, leave it uncovered to let your skin breathe. During the initial healing phase, to help your body start closing up your beautiful new wound naturally:
gently wash every 3-4hrs, avoid friction, tight clothing, sun exposure (!!), bacteria (don’t let your dog lick it!), excessive sweat or long submersion, and be as gentle with it as possible—ideally, nothing should touch it. If you must cover it, make sure you do so with clean, loose clothing, and avoid postures that would put strain on the tattooed area.
From the second day onwards, or when you start to feel the skin around your tattoo getting tight, dry, and in need of a little hydration, you can begin helping it by applying a very small amount of tattoo healing cream (Bepanthen Tattoo works great and is easy to find in pharmacies). Make sure to wait and not do this straight away after walking out of the studio. Let your budy do its thing first.
It’s important not to use just any cream or apply too much, as this can slow the healing process and even cause infections.
Use only a tiny amount of cream (after washing your hands and tattoo—see above) and spread it gently. The goal is to create a very thin layer.
By cleaning frequently and moisturizing lightly, your tattoo will start to look healed within a few days. Continue this process for at least a full week, or even two weeks if needed.
During this time, it’s crucial to AVOID: scratching (!!), sun exposure, soaking in water for long periods (baths, pools, or the sea), excessive sweating, or intense exercise.
Once the healing process is complete, protect your tattoo from the sun with a high SPF (50+) sunscreen for best long term results.
Thank you for your trust! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! :)