How to look after it

You are leaving with second skin over the tattoo: a clear, breathable, waterproof film that does the first days of healing for you. Leave it on for three to five days, or for however long I told you at the appointment. My timing beats this page.

You can shower normally with it on. Do not soak it: no baths, pools, lakes or hot tubs.

Blood, plasma and ink collect under the film and it looks alarming. That is the film doing its job. Do not pull it off because of how it looks.

If an edge starts lifting, trim the loose part with clean scissors. If it is lifting properly before day five, message me before you take it off.

• Wash your hands first.
• Do it in a warm shower. The steam softens the adhesive and it comes away easily.
• Find an edge and peel it back slowly, in the direction the hair grows. Do not rip it off.
• Wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap, using your fingertips only.
• Pat it dry with a clean paper towel. A bath towel leaves fibres behind.

• Use only the moisturizer or aftercare product we discussed, in a thin layer. More is not better.
• Keep it lightly moisturized until the skin has closed. Do not let it dry out and tighten.
• Wear clean, loose clothing that will not stick to or rub the tattoo.
• Do not pick, peel or scratch flaking skin or scabs. It comes off on its own.
• Wash your hands before you touch the area, every time.

Showering is fine at every stage. Do not soak it, film or no film. Skip baths, pools, hot tubs, lakes and saunas until the skin is healed.

Second skin has no UV protection at all, so keep it covered while it heals either way. Once the skin is fully healed, use broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher on exposed tattooed skin. That is what stops the black fading to grey.

• Heavy sweating. Give the gym, the sauna and anything that soaks the area a rest.
• Tight clothing over the tattoo, and anything that rubs it all day.
• Sunscreen on skin that has not healed yet. Cover it with cloth instead, and start the SPF once it is closed.
• Ibuprofen and aspirin in the first days. They thin the blood. Acetaminophen is the one to reach for if it aches.

The surface takes ten days to three weeks depending on how big the piece is and how it went. Under that, the skin keeps repairing for months. Peeling and flaking after the film comes off is part of it healing. Leave it alone and let it come off on its own.

It can be tender, red and a little swollen at first. Get medical care promptly if redness spreads, pain or swelling gets worse, the area feels hot, you see pus or red streaks, or you develop fever, chills or feel unwell. You can message me about the tattoo, but possible infection needs a healthcare professional.