Aftercare

Aftercare

Now that the tattoo artist has done their part, it’s up to you to properly aftercare your tattoo so that you achieve the best possible result. Remember that your tattoo is an open wound and should be treated as such.

Content

The tattoo is not permanent until it is fully healed, and the tattoo can change during the healing and aftercare process. To prevent your tattoo from fading and losing details, it is important that you take good care of the tattoo and follow our aftercare instructions after leaving the studio.

Aftercare

What do I need?

  • Aftercare cream (Purchased in the studio)
  • Medical green soap (Purchased in the studio or pharmacy)

The Bandage

If your tattoo is bandaged with Tegaderm (Second Skin), leave the bandage on for 3-4 days. During this time, it is normal to see some fluid under the bandage.

If your tattoo is bandaged with plastic wrap, leave the bandage on for between 12 and 24 hours.

If the bandage begins to leak, remove it and follow the usual aftercare instructions listed below.

Follow the tattoo artist’s recommendations for how long the bandage should be left on.

Removing the bandage

When removing the bandage, thoroughly wash the tattoo with water and medical green soap until the skin is completely free of blood and excess ink. Let the tattoo air dry or gently dry it with a clean, soft towel before applying a thin layer of aftercare cream.

Second Skin must be removed gently, preferably under running water.

Moisturizing and Cleaning

Wash the tattoo with water and medical green soap. Let the tattoo air dry for a few minutes or gently dry with a clean, soft towel before applying a thin layer of aftercare cream. Repeat 3-4 times a day.

After a few days, a thin film will form over the tattoo, starting to peel. The goal is to avoid scabbing on the tattoo, as it may cause ink loss. Continue to moisturize the tattoo as mentioned above until it is fully healed. This usually takes 3-4 weeks.

Precautions

A tattoo is an open wound while it is healing, making it vulnerable to inflammation and infections. Most infections occur when aftercare instructions are not followed. Used towels, dirty clothes, and bedding contain a lot of bacteria. Take precautions, as your tattoo is vulnerable while it heals.
 
Hand hygiene: Our hands are constantly exposed to bacteria, from touching a doorknob to touching your phone. It is important to always wash your hands thoroughly before applying ointments or touching your tattoo.

Precautions

– Good hand hygiene
– Do not scratch or pick at the tattoo
– Use clean bedding
– Wear clean, loose clothing over the tattooed area
– Use clean towels
– Avoid saunas
– Avoid bacterial environments
– Avoid direct contact of the tattoo with bare hands or animals

Sun and tanning beds

If you have a fresh tattoo, do not expose it to direct sunlight until the tattoo is fully healed. This also applies to tanning beds. After the tattoo is healed, it is recommended to use sunscreen with a high SPF.

Water and swimming

As a newly tattooed person, you should not swim, no matter what type of water it is – ocean, lake, pool, or bathtub. This can cause complications while the tattoo is healing. We recommend taking short showers until the tattoo is healed.

Exercise and physical labor

Avoid exercise and hard physical labor for at least 48 hours after getting a tattoo. This is because the body needs time for the wound to close and for the tattoo ink to settle properly into the skin. Exercise and hard physical labor during the healing process can also lead to complications such as infections or fading of the tattoo.

Infections and inflammation.

It’s normal for the tattoo to be red, swollen, and sore on the same day and possibly for a few days after it’s done. Muscles may also become sore, and it’s entirely natural for the tattoo to release some blood and lymph fluid in the first few days. Remember that a tattoo is an open wound while it heals and is therefore susceptible to infection and inflammation. Most infections occur due to one’s own carelessness or failure to follow proper aftercare. It’s better and easier to take care of the tattoo than to have to deal with infections.

Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s local reaction to an injury and is very common; it can occur throughout the body and is not dangerous. Inflammation is caused by many different types of injuries and can be seen as the first part of the body’s repair process. Inflammation involves the damaged area attracting white blood cells and connective tissue cells to remove damaged tissue and form new tissue. Symptoms of inflammation include redness, fluid, warmth, swelling, and pain.

Infection

Infections are usually caused by bacteria or viruses. Most bacterial infections cause acute inflammation that the body can treat on its own. However, some bacteria cause more prolonged or chronic courses. In the fight against viral infections, the body uses a different part of the immune system than in bacterial infections. This is because viruses penetrate the body’s cells and are more difficult for immune cells to detect. Examples of acute viral infections include the common cold and mononucleosis. Symptoms of infections may include yellow or green fluid oozing from the tattoo, unusually high pain levels in the tattoo, reduced activity levels, and fever.

If you experience symptoms of infections, we recommend that you contact us by sending a text message with a photo of the tattoo to 40851124 or on social media for evaluation and further guidance. In the vast majority of cases, we recommend applying Bacimycin ointment to the tattoo two to three times a day for three days. Bacimycin is a medication for the treatment of infections on the skin surface and is sold at pharmacies. In acute cases, we recommend seeking the advice of a doctor.

Allergic reactions

Allergic reactions can occur. Signs that may indicate an allergic reaction include unusually swollen, itchy, or rash-covered areas around the tattoo. If you experience an allergic reaction, it is likely to occur shortly after getting the tattoo.

The tattoo ink used in Norway complies with the EU’s Reach regulations, making allergic reactions rare. However, allergic reactions are always a risk.

If you suspect an allergic reaction, please contact a doctor immediately. We also recommend contacting us so that we can provide useful information about the tattoo ink and equipment used.

Common errors

One of the most common mistakes is to apply too much ointment to the tattoo at once, and not allowing the skin to breathe. This can quickly lead to complications such as rashes and pimples, and possibly infection.

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