TATTOO AFTERCARE 101

Keep the tattoo covered and well sealed with plastic wrap for at least 2 hours.

Once at home, in a clean environment, clean the tattoo with hot water and unscented soap. With the soap gently rub off all the goo that has formed under the plastic (plasma + sweat + ink). Rinse and pat dry with a clean non-fluffy towel or kitchen roll and over it immediately with a new plastic wrap/cling film. 

DO NOT apply any moisturiser or any other creams for the first 24 hours. 

Repeat the cleaning procedure in the morning and the following evening. After 24 hours you may leave the tattoo uncovered but keep washing the tattoo with unscented soap twice a day (morning and night). At this stage start to apply a gentle and fragrance free moisturiser after the tattoo has been washed and patted dry and leave unwrapped. 

Follow this routine until your tattoo is healed. This normally takes between a week and a half to two weeks. During the healing process your tattoo may feel dry, tight and itchy. DO NOT pick or scratch the tattoo as this can cause infection and/or result in your tattoo healing badly.

DO NOT have the tattoo immersed in water for any length of time while it’s healing (a shower is fine)

DO NOT expose your tattoo directly to the sun or go on a sun bed until your tattoo appears to be fully healed. Ideally no exposure to sun/sun beds for 2-3 weeks.

For our full comprehensive guide or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch! 

GOLDEN RULES FOR GETTING A TATTOO

1. DON’T make a decision based on time and money

Time and money shouldn’t be important factors of your decision.

2. DO look at the artist’s portfolio

The most critical part of choosing a tattoo artist is looking at their portfolio and scrutinising it.

3. DON’T base your tattoo design on other people’s opinions

Treat your friends’ and family’s opinions with caution. You’re getting a tattoo for your own personal reasons and only a tattoo artist can really help you crystallise and convey your ideas.

4. DO consider the holy trinity of tattooing

There are three components to getting a tattoo: the design, the tattoo artist and the client.

5. DON’T hesitate to ask your tattoo artist for a touch-up

Artists often prefer to be able to to see their tattoo work after some time and touch them up if they need it to make sure the tattoos stay in good shape.

6. DO Accept your tattoo as part of you

Accept the idea that like anything in life there will be days that you love your tattoos and days that you don’t. Your tattoo becomes a part of you, so it’s important to accept it from the get-go.

Photography by Ollie Adegboye 

Our original article can be found on AnOther Man