MILLHAUS TATTOO

Tattoo Aftercare

TATTOO AFTERCARE RECOMMENDATIONS 

Much like techniques involved in the actual tattoo process, there are some fundamental steps to follow to ensure a positive healing process. It is your responsibility to treat your new tattoo with care and consideration, but a responsible tattoo artist should always be there to help if you have any concerns!
Whenever touching your healing tattoo whether it’s covered with a dressing or uncovered, make sure your hands have been freshly washed and thoroughly dried.

Opsite Flexigrid/Second Skin- style dressings:

A popular aftercare choice. With this dressing, you essentially shouldn’t have to do anything to the affected area until the dressing comes off, best case scenario 4-5 days. Usually helps to avoid infection and to secure ink pigments that can often drop out in more traditional healing methods.
*Please note that this is NOT recommended for clients with either latex or adhesive allergies*

(If I have applied said dressing once we’ve completed your session, disregard the next couple of paragraphs until where it starts talking about removing the dressing.)

If you’ve been given pieces/sheets of this dressing to apply at home, or been directed to purchase this kind of product, please make sure your hands are washed and dried prior to application.

  • Wash your tattoo thoroughly with warm soapy water, then pat completely dry with paper towel after.

  • Cut dressing to shape, allowing for a little extra perimeter around the outside of the tattooed area as it will leak excess ink, blood & plasma and could quite easily leak out of the dressing.

  • Once you’ve applied the dressing, over the next 24-48hrs said excess ink, blood/plasma will be trapped under the dressing on the surface of your skin, making it appear blurry and smudgy. This is very very normal, so please do not panic when this is appears.
    It can quite easily leak out too, which is very normal, but please avoid light clothing in the area as it can stain said clothing.

  • Ideally this dressing will be on fairly firmly for 4-5 days, but can become loose/unstuck with the presence of these fluids. Not something to panic about either, 4-5 days is ideal, but not essential.
    Shower as normal, but try to avoid getting the dressing wet.

  • Removing this dressing should always be done slowly and carefully. The tattoo will be tender so take your time, according to your personal comfort/discomfort in the situation. Usually warm water helps to loosen up the adhesive, so I’d generally recommend doing this in the shower.

  • Once removed, wash your tattoo thoroughly with soapy water and pat completely dry.
    The area that was covered in the dressing will be fairly red, but is a very normal reaction once it has been peeled off.

  • I usually wait out the remainder of this day without using any aftercare creams, starting the following day.

Aftercare cream

Unless you have been tattooed a number of times prior, it’s hard to say exactly what your biology will react best to. But I will recommend creams that I’ve used over the years and personally have had good experiences with.
Once you have obtained any of the following, please make sure you only apply them with clean and dried hands.

Bamboo Goo- (available from myself, Tatsup, or direct through the company)
Dr Pickles- available from most Woolworths stores, and direct via the company)
Benpanthen- (available from most chemists, and some supermarkets eg Woolworths/Coles etc)

  • None of these require serious lathering, just a sparing amount once or twice a day, until the tattoo is completely healed and looks/feels “normal” again.
    If you experience any level of infection or unusual scabbing/tenderness, please STOP using the cream, and go to your doctor as soon as humanly possible and ask if you can be put on a course of antibiotics. The sooner you do, the better off your tattoo will be.

  • It will eventually have some degree of skin flaking off, please DO NOT pick these sections off, as picking can take some of the pigment out and possibly leave a scar.

  • It will also usually be quite itchy at one stage or another too. Please DO NOT scratch the tattooed area. I find a bit of a tap with an open hand can alleviate the itchy sensation.

  • No baths, pools/spa baths, or salt water during the healing period as it can have a negative impact on the healing also.

  • Minimise direct sunlight whilst healing, and sunscreen the area once it is healed if you plan in being outside for extended periods of time. The sun is the biggest enemy of the longevity of your tattoo, so treat it kindly.

Continue with your regime until the skin is completely healed!
By all means do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions/concerns (email is best; millhaustattoo@outlook.com).
Also if something doesn’t heal 100% perfectly, I’d like to know so we can touch it up!
Touch ups are a very normal thing to have to do. How the body reacts to tattoo pigment is a very case sensitive experience.

I offer free touchups within 6 months of the tattoo, minimum charge of $220 applies if it is after 6 months.

Happy healing!
-Adam