Always wash and dry your hands before touching your tattoo.
01 Remove the dressing
For ordinary cling film, remove after 1–3 hours if advised by your artist. Adhesive “second skin” dressings have different wear times: follow the specific instructions provided for your dressing.
02 Clean & pat dry
Gently wash with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap recommended by your artist. Use clean hands; do not scrub. Rinse, then pat dry with fresh disposable kitchen towel. Do not rub or use a shared towel.
Clean again before bed and the following morning. Re-wrap only if your artist has specifically instructed you to, using fresh film and their timings. Never reuse a dressing.
03 Continue your daily care
Once the dressing is removed, gently wash twice daily and after getting dirty. When clean and dry, apply a very thin layer of fragrance-free moisturiser or the aftercare product recommended by your artist. Use sparingly, usually twice daily; do not leave a thick coating.
Some early tenderness, mild redness, flaking and itching can occur. These should gradually improve. Keep up gentle aftercare while the skin heals; healing time varies, and two weeks does not always mean fully healed.
04 While your tattoo is healing
- Take short showers; do not soak in baths, swim or use hot tubs.
- Do not pick scabs, scratch or pull away peeling skin.
- Avoid sunbathing, sunbeds and direct sun on the tattoo.
- Wear clean, loose clothing and avoid rubbing the area.
- Do not let other people touch your fresh tattoo.
Questions about your routine? Contact Sacred City Tattoo.
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