#1 LEAVE ON SECOND SKIN FOR 4-6 DAYS
• If Second Skin film has been applied to your tattoo, leave it on for a minimum of 4 – 6 days.
• In the first 24 hours, there may be a build-up of plasma and purged ink under the Second Skin, this is completely normal. If there is too much fluid and it starts leaking, it is okay to take it off before the initial 4 days and start aftercare as normal. If your artist had given you another piece of Second Skin, you can reapply it on DRY skin and keep it on for another 4-6 days.
• Keeping Second Skin on for as long as 4 days helps protect the tattoo from bacteria and dirt that may cause irritation to the tattoo.
• Second Skin is waterproof so it’s fine to shower as normal.
#2 REMOVING SECOND SKIN
• When removing the Second Skin, do so in the shower under warm running water as it makes it easier to remove.
• Peel up an edge or corner of the film. If this proves difficult, you can attach medical tape to the corner of the film to help lift it. Slowly pull it off in a downwards motion whilst keeping the skin taut.
• You may experience some redness around the tattoo where the Second Skin was applied to the un-tattooed skin. This is also completely normal and may occur with any type of medical adhesive. If you do develop an adverse reaction on the tattoo, discontinue use immediately.
• Give your tattoo a gentle soapy wash (ensure the body wash you use is fragrance, alcohol, and exfoliant-free as it can irritate the tattoo) under running water. Once out of the shower, pat the tattoo dry with paper towel as to not introduce bacteria to the area.
#3 APPLYING MOISTURISER
• Once the tattoo is completely dry, apply your recommended aftercare product (Numbskulled Balm or Bepanthen antiseptic cream) in a THIN layer over the tattoo. Massage it into the skin to the point where it just barely looks moist.
• DO NOT OVERUSE AND PILE ON CREAM, EVENLY THIN SPREAD COVERAGE OVER TATTOO IS BEST. Too much cream can quench the tattoo, clog your pores and not give it the opportunity to breathe, which can all affect the healing of the tattoo.
• We do NOT recommend Vaseline because of its high petroleum content.
• Apply moisturiser over the tattoo 3-4 days times a day for the first 2 weeks of healing to ensure the skin is hydrated and the tattoo heals well.
#4 NO SUN, NO SOAKING IN WATER OF ANY KIND
• DURING THE HEALING PROCESS….NO SUN, NO SWIMMING POOLS, NO JACUZZIS, NO OCEAN, NO SOAKING IN WATER OF ANY KIND!
• Direct sunlight can fade the tattoo, especially in the first 2-3 weeks, and swimming/soaking the tattoo can result in risking infection and pigment dropout.
#5 AFTER YOU ARE ALL HEALED/TOUCH-UPS
• Once the tattoo is completely healed (usually after about 2-3 weeks), if you’re able to, drop in and say hi to the artist and show them the tattoo so they can give it a good looking over to make sure it has healed properly. This also gives the artist the opportunity to take a picture for their portfolio.
• All touch up work is included in your original price for up to a month. Unless prior arrangements are made, there will be a fee if it is booked out of the 30 day period. Alternatively, if you decide to get a new tattoo, we can touch it up free of charge.
• Finger and feet tattoos are NOT included in the touch up policy (unless prior arrangements are made).
CLING FILM AFTERCARE FACT SHEET
#1 LEAVE YOUR WRAP ON FOR A MINIMUM OF 1 HOUR:
• Leave your bandage on for a minimum of 1 hour and no longer than 4-5 hours.
• DO NOT REBANDAGE because if the skin is not clean when bandaging for the second time, you will affect the healing process, ie. risking infection and irritation the tattoo.
#2 AFTER REMOVAL OF BANDAGE WASH THOROUGHLY WITH WARM WATER:
• After removing the bandage, wash the tattoo gently with warm, soapy water – it’s best to have a shower after taking the bandage off. When cleaning the tattoo, be sure to use fragrance, alcohol, and exfoliant free soap as this can irritate the healing skin.
• Be mindful when going to bed that when going to bed the tattoo may stain your sheets so it’s best to wear clothes that you do not mind getting stained.
#3 APPLY A THIN LAYER OF AFTER CARE CREAM DAY AFTER TATTOO:
• Apply a THIN layer of product (Numbskulled Balm or Bepanthen antiseptic cream) and gently massage it into the skin to the point where it just barely looks moist.
• DO NOT OVERUSE AND PILE ON CREAM, EVENLY THIN SPREAD COVERAGE OVER TATTOO IS BEST.
• If using lotion, make sure the product has the words “FRAGRANCE FREE” on the label, otherwise there may be a small amount of chemical additive which can irritate the tattoo.
• We do not recommend Vaseline because of its high petroleum content. Using products like this will block your skin from breathing, which is the most important thing for not only healthy but healing skin. It needs to be able to breathe to avoid clogging pores, etc.
#4 KEEP YOUR TATTOO CLEAN WITH SOAP AND WATER:
• THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF HEALING YOUR TATTOO IS KEEPING IT CLEAN WITH SOAP AND WATER!
• If you are out and about working, doing physical activity, and sweating or happen to get it dirty in any way, wash it more than you normally would.
#5 REPEAT THIS PROCESS FOR TWO WEEKS:
• Repeat this process for two weeks depending how the tattoo is healing. During this time, it will feel like a sunburn after a few days. (It is normal to see coloured flakes of skin shedding)
• If it does scab in a few areas this is nothing to worry about, just let them fall off on their own.
• DO NOT SCRATCH OR PICK AT THEM and do NOT over-saturate in the shower. This could soften them up too much and cause them to come off prematurely which will leave blank spots that will need touching up.
• NO SUN, NO SOAKING IN WATER OF ANY KIND DURING THE HEALING PROCESS!
NO SUN, NO SWIMMING POOLS, NO JACUZZIS, NO OCEAN, NO SOAKING IN WATER OF ANY KIND!
#6 AFTER YOU ARE ALL HEALED:
• After you are all healed (usually about 2 weeks) if your able to drop in and say hi to the artist and show them the tattoo so the artist can give it a good looking over to make sure it does not need to be touched up and to get a nice healed portfolio picture.
• All touch ups are included in your original price for up to a month unless prior arrangements are made there will be a fee after a month. Alternatively, if it’s been over a month and not eligible for a free touch up if you decide to get a new tattoo we can touch it up free of charge whilst getting the new one.
• Finger and feet tattoos are NOT included in the touch up policy (unless prior arrangements are made).