Aftercare

Please ensure you have read and understood this aftercare information. The healing process for a tattoo requires patience and persistance and your healed results rely heavily on how well you follow the aftercare advice. If you are unsure about the instrctions or have any questions, please contact us.

What to Expect During the Healing Stage

Day 1: Your new tattoo is beautiful and we couldn’t be happier! There may be slight swelling, skin sensitivity, tattoo warmth and redness in the area but this will subside.

Days 2-4: The colour has darkened slightly but this is only temporary. This is due to the fresh colour becoming oxidized and may last up to 7 days. The colour will fade slightly but it is still far from the final look. Your tattoo has just started to heal. Scabbing should be thin and minimal that you feel comfortable going to work the very next day.

Days 5-7: Your tattoo will begin to flake and scab. This is a natural part of your skin’s healing process and typically lasts 1-3 days. Itchiness is normal but you are not allowed to scratch or pick at the scabs. You need to allow the dry skin to come off naturally on its own to prevent premature pigment loss.

Days 8-10: Your flaking has finished and you will feel fully healed. The tattoo and the surrounding skin will feel normal now, however you are still undergoing the healing process. This means that your tattoo may appear lighter. This is due to your skin forming new layers over the pigment. The colour will come back and any uneveness and patches can be fixed at the touch up.

Days 14-28: Your tattoo has finally fully healed. You can start wearing makeup and go back to your everyday routine. Be cautious not to sweat and spend too much time in the sun. Soon you will be returning for your tattoo touch up appointment.

Day 42: The touch up appointment. The touch up is your chance to make any adjustments you would like. If you were nervous during your initial service and you wish you had gone darker or fuller, now is the time to make those improvements. You should leave the touch up feeling completely in love with your new tattoo.

Lip Healing Process

Eyeliner Healing Process

All Treatments

✔ Do

It is essential to follow the aftercare properly to allow your tattoo to heal as best as possible.
Apply the advised amount of ointment/balm on the area.
Keep the area as clean and dry as you can during the healing stage. Too much lymph fluid, water, sweat & oil will cause scabbing. Scabs will result in premature loss in pigment resulting in patchiness.
Use an icepack (wrapped in something clean) if the area feels swollen and there is bruising present. Only 5 minutes at a time. Take care not to cause frostbite.
Take ibuprofen (if you can) and sleep slightly upright if swelling is present.
Use a clean pillowcase. This prevents bacteria transfer into the open wound.
Wash hair towards the end of the shower to avoid getting the area wet. If it becomes wet, use a clean tissue and pat dry.
Use SPF from day 8 and onwards during the healing stage. This prevents the tattoo from changing colours as it ages (12-18 months) and provides longer lasting results.

✘ Don’t

Touch or scratch your tattoo - touching or picking could cause irritation, infection and loss of pigment.
Allow water to touch the area - it must remain dry for 10 days minimum.
Excessively sweat - don't exercise for at least 2-5 days after your treatment due to sweating.
Use sunbeds and avoid direct sun exposure.
Use saunas, steam rooms or swimming pools for 2 weeks - due to sweating, risk of getting tattoo wet and hygiene.
Put product on tattooed area, makeup (foundation, mascara, lip stick), tint (brow and lash), cleansers, lotions, exfoliants on or close to the area for 1-2 weeks - will cause irritation and cross contamination.
Have facials, facial massages, face beauty treatments, lash extensions (for eyeliner tattoo) or other minor facial procedures done for 2 weeks - will cause irritation and cross contamination.
Have light therapy, microdermabrasion, botox, laser, retin-a, fruit acids or any strong face treatment for 4 weeks - your skin will not be healed enough.
Use anti aging creams, chemical peels, acids or retinols on or close to your tattooed area. These products are designed to strip the skin and encourage cell renewal. The chemicals in them will react and affect with the pigment and retention.

Cleaning and Ointment

1 hour after treatment, plus every 2-3 hours after that, gently cleanse the area with lukewarm sterile water (boiled, bottled or filtered). Ensuring your hands are clean, use your fingertips or a cotton pad. This is to remove any build up of lymph fluid that the body naturally produces to fight infection. Rub/pat the area in a smooth motion for 10 seconds. To dry, gently pat with a clean tissue. When applying the aftercare ointment/balm, use a very thin layer (grain of rice amount), and spread it across the tattooed area. Use either clean fingertips or a cotton swab/Q tip to apply. Always apply the ointment/balm on a dry tattoo, never wet! Be sure not to over apply as this will suffocate the skin and delay the healing process. Repeat this step when necessary using the following guideline.

Eyebrows: On the day of treatment, and the day after, apply the ointment gently across the brows 2-3 times a day. For the next 7 days as the skin heals, apply the ointment 3-5 times a day for dry skin types, cleaning before each application. For oily skin types, after day 2, only apply the ointment if you feel tightness or stretching in the treated area.

Lips: Clean the lips with a smooth but firm pressure 2-3 times a day with sterile water. Be sure to let it airdry. On the day of treatment, up until day 10, apply the balm every hour or as often as possible to keep the lips moist.

Take care to avoid greasy, spicy and oily foods. As well as citrus fruits and juices for the first 7 days as this can change the lip colour. Do not use citrus/fruit based lip balms or lipstick until your lips are completely healed (about 4-6 weeks). Be careful when cleaning your teeth for the first 7 days as toothpaste can pull the pigment colour out of the lip vermillion. No kissing or direct water for 3 days (drink through a straw).

Eyeliner: On the day of treatment, cleanse the area as instructed but apply no ointment. The following morning, and the day after, apply the ointment 2-3 times a day. If you have dry skin, continue to apply 2-3 times a day for 7 days. For oily skin types, after 2 days of applying ointment, only apply if you feel tightness or stretching in the area.

Contact lenses should not be worn for a minimum of 2 hours after treatment. Use eye drops if required. Wait at least 3-4 weeks before applying eyelash extensions. Do not use mascara for the first 7 days. When you resume using mascara, its important to use a new one to limit bacteria transfer.