AFTERCARE

The morning after your tattoo, WITH CLEAN HANDS remove the film that was applied in the shop.  Wash the tattoo using a mild antibacterial soap and warm water, take care to remove all traces of blood and plasma, as this will cause scabbing. Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth during the two-week healing period. Pat dry with a clean, soft cloth or paper towel this allows for excess moisture from the swelling under the skin as well as moisture introduced by washing the tattoo to evaporate out, leave to air dry for 10 minutes before you apply cream (use a very small amount and rub into the tattoo, too much cream will cause moisture to build up and cause scabbing). **See below if you were asked to re-apply the film by your artist.
You must keep you tattoo clean and moisturised once you remove the film, wash and dry as above morning and evening, we recommend using H2 Ocean as this is the best, period.
There are other such tattoo aftercare creams, should you prefer to use them – just don’t use any that contain colour or lots of fragrance until the healing is complete. (usually anywhere from ten days to two weeks, possibly longer for slow healers.)
The tattoo will form a thin membrane to protect the tattoo while it continues to heal. This layer peels off very similar to sunburn (do not peel your tattoo, you will pull out the ink out!) and it is perfectly normal to see small flakes of coloured skin falling off during this stage of healing.
You must keep your tattoo clean! However, long showers or baths must be avoided for 2 weeks. Prolonged soaking can and will loosen scabs if any have formed or will soak through the soft tissue turning it into a soggy mess and cause your ink to flow down the drain. This includes swimming in the sea or pool, Hot tubs, and saunas. Short showers are best, under ten minutes if possible.
Please refrain from scratching or picking at the tattoo. Disrupting the tattoo while healing can also cause scar tissue. It is normal for the tattoo to become very itchy during the healing time. Just remember not to pick or scratch no matter what!
Remember, the sun is BAD for your tattoo! Whether the tattoo is new or old, if you want it to look nice and heal properly, keep it out the sun. A sunburn on a new tattoo can case a lot of problems. It will dry out your tattoo and could cause it to form a horrendous scab resulting in fading before it is even healed. It will also take much longer to heal completely and promotes scarring in a new tattoo. Wait until it is fully healed to back in the sun or a tanning bed and make sure you put on a high-quality sunblock. NEVER put sunblock on a tattoo that is still healing.

If you experience any burning or itching whilst using an aftercare product, DO NOT continue and contact your artist for alternative aftercare advice.

** If you were asked to re-apply the film. MAKE SURE HANDS ARE CLEAN.

Wash and Pat dry apply film.
Leave 24 hours
Wash and Pat dry apply film.
Leave 48 hours.

If there is still fluid under the film repeat the process above, once there is no fluid or plasma underneath the film this final dressing can be left for 72 hours.

When removing the film pull away from yourself to release the glue rather than pulling off like a sticky plaster, your artist will demonstrate this for you.