Your Inkcult Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
For us here at Inkcult, tattoo aftercare is extremely important. If you want your ink to heal properly and look vibrant without any infections or other bad side effects, then you have to make sure that you follow these instructions to a tee.
Your First Dressing
- Your tattoo aftercare will start the minute we cover your ink with its first dressing. After we finish your tattoo, we will apply a tattoo moisturising gel and dress it with medical-grade plastic wrap. This will protect your ink from bacteria, sunlight, and rubbing against clothes or other surfaces.
- DO NOT REMOVE YOUR DRESSING RIGHT AWAY! We know it’s tempting to look at your tattoo, but you will have to wait at least a few hours. How long will depend on the size and location of your tattoo. We will tell you the exact number of hours.
Your First Wash
- You can remove your dressing after the exact number of hours we tell you to and not before. Then, you can do your first thorough handwashing. Using your fingers (not your nails!), gently wash your tattoo with hypoallergenic soap and warm water.
- During your first wash, you may see oozing. DON’T WORRY! THIS IS NORMAL. It’s just excess fluid and ink. When you’re done washing, pat your skin with a clean paper towel and let it air dry for an hour. Apply a thin layer of moisturiser but leave it uncovered so your skin can breathe.
Your First & Second Weeks
- AVOID GETTING YOUR TATTOO WET except for when you need to wash it. How often you wash using the method above will depend on what you do every day or your surroundings. If you sweat a lot or get dirty often, then washing should be done more frequently.
- DO NOT SCRATCH YOUR SKIN OR PICK THE SCABS! Your skin will get itchy which means it is healing. Scabs will form because healthy skin tissue is forming underneath. Scratching your skin or picking the scabs will tear your skin, damage your tattoo, and cause infection! Continue to wash your skin as prescribed. The scabs will slowly fall off on their own and the itching will go away. If you can’t stand the itchiness, you can take over-the-counter oral antihistamines (make sure to ask a chemist).
- KEEP USING YOUR MOISTURISER. It will help make the healing process go relatively faster. Don’t overdo it though. Only a thin layer every time will do. You can also use antibiotic ointment.
- AVOID BEING UNDER THE SUN FOR TOO LONG! As your tattoo starts to heal, it will slowly transform as the ink gets deeper into your skin. But the sun’s UV rays will break up the pigment of your design and cause it to fade. You do not want this!
Your Third Week & The Rest of Your Life
- Your tattoo will enter its final stage of the healing process. Keep doing (or not doing) the things we mentioned above. Continue washing your tattoo gently as needed. Keep moisturising the area. Stay away from the direct heat of the sun as much as possible.
- Again, do not scratch your skin or tear away the scabs! We can’t stress this enough! By this time, there will be less itching and large scabs will have fallen off so be patient. You don’t want to make things worse than they should be.
If you’ve followed all these tattoo aftercare instructions to a tee, you will have a clean, beautiful, and vibrant tattoo that you can be proud of for your entire lifetime! Enjoy!
Want more information? Need advice about tattoo aftercare? Get in touch with us.
Call us on 0499 530 197 or visit our Instagram account.