Tattoos take a little over 4 weeks to heal, and 3 months to settle in completely.

 

The best way to keep as much ink in your skin as possible is to not let the tattoo scab. There are a few ways to do this, and different methods work best for different skin types.

 

If you have a method that works for you, by all means care for your tattoo like that, these are just the ways I have found to be best. If you choose not to follow these instructions, I will not be liable for badly healed tattoos.

 

For the first few weeks, do not submerge or soak the tattoo in water. 

 

Wash the tattoo gently (do not use washcloths or sponges, just your hands) with gentle fragrance free soap and water. 

 

Make sure your hands are clean when touching your tattoo & any towels/paper towels are sterile. Never rub or scratch your fresh tattoo.

 

Do not wear tight clothes or have rough seams laying across the site of the tattoo.

 

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Cling film healing method:

 

For the 5 days following your tattoo:

 

Every morning, afternoon and evening (3 times a day) gently wash your tattoo, pat dry (do not rub) and apply a thin layer of tattoo aftercare cream. Wrap the tattoo site in cling film. Secure with microporous tape if necessary but take care not to stick tape to your tattoo.

 

If you get sweaty, clean and change the wrap more times in the day as needed.

 

After 5 days, you no longer need to cover your tattoo, however continue to apply tattoo aftercare for as long as needed (your skin will be very dry for a while, as it readjusts back to normal).

 

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Healing Film (EZ Derm) method:

 

Leave the original EZ derm layer on for 24 hours following your tattoo, if your tattoo was wrapped in cling film, leave for 6-12 hours. 

 

Carefully remove the film by pulling a corner/edge away from the center of your tattoo (like how you remove command hook sticky pads) - do not peel it away from your skin.

 

Gently wash your tattoo and apply a thin layer of aftercare cream, be careful not to coat the skin around the tattoo as this will interfere with the glue on the film.

 

Apply a fresh healing film, making sure to cover at least 2-3 cm over the area of the tattoo. The film will only stick to clean, dry, undamaged skin.

 

Leave on for 3-5 days, if your bandage tears or comes unstuck, put on a fresh one, but do not restart the day countdown.

 

You can shower wearing the film, but continue to avoid baths or submerging the tattoo site as the film may become compromised and trap dirt.

 

After 3-5 days, you no longer need to cover your tattoo, however continue to apply tattoo aftercare for as long as needed (your skin will be very dry for a while, as it readjusts back to normal).