Looking after a new tattoo

Your wrap and aftercare

I'll recommend the right wrap and aftercare for your tattoo on the day, as the routine depends on which wrap I use. Follow what I tell you on the day first. The basics below apply once the wrap is off.

Once the wrap is off

• Wash it gently with clean hands and unscented soap, rinse with lukewarm water, and pat it dry with clean kitchen roll rather than a towel.
• Moisturise with a thin layer of unscented cream. A little goes a long way, and too much can stop it healing well.
• No picking, scratching or peeling the flakes off, as they can take the ink with them.
• No baths, swimming pools or sea until it's fully healed. Showers are fine.
• Keep it out of the sun and off sunbeds. Once it's healed, sunscreen is the best thing you can do for it.
• Give the gym a miss for the first few days if your tattoo is somewhere that stretches or sweats.

What's normal

Some redness and warmth for a day or two. Flaking and itching in the first week, which is just healing. A slightly dull, cloudy look while the top layer settles. It'll brighten back up.

What isn't

Redness that spreads, heat that gets worse rather than better after 48 hours, yellow discharge, or a fever. Send me a photo and speak to a pharmacist or your GP. Infections are rare, and much easier to sort out when they're caught early.

Not sure if something's normal? Message me a photo. I'd much rather look at ten happily healing tattoos than miss one that needs a bit of attention.