Aftercare

Please feel free to ask any questions at your appointment so you feel confident caring for your new tattoo!
Tattoos will usually be fully healed after three weeks.
Continue following aftercare instructions until the skin no longer feels dry.

Cling wrap and moisturiser

• keep cling wrap on for 1-2 hours, or until you’re at a clean sink to wash it. you don’t need to wrap it again
• always wash your hands before you touch your fresh tattoo
• wash daily with warm water and fragrance-free soap - avoid very hot water
• pat dry gently with a clean towel or paper towel
• moisturise twice a day with a thin layer of fragrance-free and petrolatum-free aftercare product. if your tattoo has a lot of solid colour fill, i’d recommend a tattoo specific moistruiser such as Dr Pickles. if it’s mostly linework, you could use coconut oil, unscented QV/Dermaveen etc
• avoid vaseline / petroleum jelly on a new tattoo - it prevents the skin from breathing. no Lucas Papaw, it’s mostly vaseline
• keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight for 2 weeks. avoid sunscreen for 2 weeks - keep it covered with clothing
• avoid submerging the tattoo in water for 2 weeks (no baths/oceans/lakes/pools/puddles)
• avoid scratching / picking / rubbing / excessive friction
• don’t let dogs lick it!
• wear clean black clothing over the tattoo for the first night to avoid staining bedsheets

• after 3 weeks, sunscreen is your friend. apply regularly on the tattoo to prevent colours fading long term.

Second Skin (clear dressing - also called Opsite / Saniderm)

• wear the second skin for 2-6 days
• you can shower with it on, but avoid submerging your tattoo in water
• check it daily to make sure there are no leaks or holes, leave it alone otherwise
• if there’s leaks, holes, or it’s coming off, take it off early and follow the aftercare instructions above
• some people may be allergic to Second Skin if they are allergic to bandaids or medical adhesive
• if your skin develops redness around the edges of the Second Skin, take it off early and follow the aftercare instructions above

Removing Second Skin:
• get the area wet, either in the shower or over a sink.
• start peeling up the edges so you have something to grab onto. at all times go slow and gentle.
• using fragrance free soap, lather under the edges and work it underneath to loosen it.
• grab and slowly stretch it across your skin rather than peeling upwards - like taking a 3M Command Strip off a wall
• keep lathering it and stretching it out in all directions until it slowly comes off.
• wash it thoroughly, then continue following the aftercare instructions above

Fixomull (white dressing)

• leave the Fixomull on for 7 days
• you can shower with it on, but avoid submerging your tattoo in water
• check it daily to make sure it’s not peeling up, leave it alone otherwise
• if the Fixomull starts to peel off early, stick it back down with a band-aid or tape
• some people may be allergic to Fixomull, but it seems to be quite rare
• if your skin seems unhappy, take it off within the first 48 hours

Removing Fixomull:

• remove fixomull slowly and gently - in the shower with fragrance free soap is ideal
• start peeling it off slowly and gently
• use fragrance free soap to help lather and loosen the Fixomull
• if you have a spare hand, hold your skin taut while you peel away the Fixomull
• if it’s being stubborn, saturate the entire area with coconut oil and try again in 15 minutes
• if any adhesive remains stuck to the skin, use coconut oil to massage it off.
• wash it thoroughly, then continue following the aftercare instructions above

Infection

Tattoo infection is possible, especially if hygiene measures aren’t followed.
It’s normal for the new tattoo to feel warm to the touch, or red and inflamed and painful on the first day.
This should only get better. If the tattoo starts feeling worse, more painful, more red or inflamed, or if anything smells bad, it’s possible you have an infection. Other side effects can include fever or nausea. If this occurs, please consult a doctor as soon as you can, as it may require antibiotics. In the meantime, wash more regularly using a surgical wash e.g. Chlorhexidine.

Get in touch if you have any questions or concerns!
tattoos@germ.website