F.A.Q & Aftercare
How to take care of your tattoo.
So you just got a brand new tattoo, super stoked, and you want to give it the best chance of looking bold and fresh for as long as possible….
So does your artist…. the next two weeks are going to be critical in ensuring the tattoo stays crisp and dark going forwards.
AFTER SESSION
Myke has most likely used a liquid bandage on your tattoo. This liquid bandage is to make sure the tattoo fluids or “weep” doesn’t spread all over the place for the first few hours. Weep is ABSOLUTELY normal, please don’t worry. We strongly recommend washing this off within a few hours of application (before bed) or it can even wait until the morning so the weep doesn’t get into your bedding. PLEASE WASH OFF BEFORE THE NEXT EVENING (2 DAYS)
After that…. live life normally
WEEKS 1 TO 4
NOW, we are going to wash the tattoo twice a day, once when you wake up, and once before you go to bed, with mild soap and warm water.
Any soap or cleaning product you WOULDN’T use on a newborn baby, do NOT use on the tattoo. So no alcohol on a baby, no hydrogen peroxide, no Old Spice, no Georgio Armmani, NOTHING WITH HEAVY PURFUMES.
After the cleaning, I advise massaging in a small amount of Polysporin Regular Strength Ointment ontop of your tattoo. The Polysporin will give the tattoo moisture it needs while it’s healing, as well as adding a mild amount of anti bacterial help while we heal.
**PLEASE DO NOT USE “Polysporin Triple Action Healing” or “Neosporin” as these ointments are a little bit too aggressive, and will pull the tattoo back out of you.
***DO NOT***
ABSOLUTELY NO SOAKING THE TATTOO!!!
Imagine doing dishes and your fingers get all wrinkly after about 5 to 15 minutes from prolonged water submersion, we want to avoid that at all costs with your new tattoo. Showers and getting the tattoo wet is perfectly fine, NO SOAKING
SO this means no pools, jacuzzies, lakes, oceans, ANYTHING for two weeks (one month if you’re really ambitious)
ABSOLUTELY NO SUN TANNING!!!
U.V radiation is horrible for tattoo longevity. AVOID for about two weeks (one month if you’re serious about your body art) Your best defense will be light fabrics to block the tattoo from the sun, cover all’s, long sleeves, all good stuff.
I recommend these practices for as long as possible moving forwards.
NO PICKING YOUR ITCHY TATTOO AT ALL!!!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Is the ink sack really that bad.? (If bandage is used)
It may look funny but it’s the same as soaking your tattoo. If you’re not sure, pop the ink sack and gently move any remaining fluid through the hole and into a sink or paper towel. DO NOT breach the perimeter of the bandage as it will snag and be really annoying and probably come off. Life happens though if the bandage starts to come off, just contact your artist for a fresh one.
Can I workout with Second Skin on? (If bandaged is used)
Absolutely. HOWEVER, be honest with yourself. Maybe skip cardio for the next four (4) days, as a build up of sweat under the second skin can create a fluid sack, and again, same as soaking. Hit the weights only for a little bit, and if you know you sweat a lot even with just weights, maybe take a rest until the bandage comes off. Workout if you want just watch out for fluid build up.
I work a dirty job, should I wash the tattoo more.?
Your best line of defence against work grime and also sunlight will be light fabrics over the tattoo. Cover all’s, long sleeves, all good.
If the tattoo is becoming dirty, gently rinse with warm water, use some mild soap, and pat dry. Apply a VERY small amount of ointment. Not too much however, as over moisturizing isn’t the greatest thing for your tattoo. Save the good cleaning for mornings and nights.