🖤 Keep the tattoo wrapped overnight. In the morning remove the cling film. Wash your hands thoroughly before you touch your tattoo and wash the area with warm soapy water until all plasma and residue has gone and it feels squeaky clean. Make sure to use a very mild soap which isn’t fragranced (Dove, Simple, Sanex are highly recommended). Do not use fragranced soaps or shower gels such as Lynx etc, as it could irritate your tattoo and affect how it heals.
🖤 Do not submerge the tattoo under water (so baths aren’t ideal but showers are fine). Absolutely no swimming or hot tubs until it has fully healed. When you wash your tattoo make sure you either let it air dry or pat dry with kitchen roll as towels harbour bacteria which can lead to infection.
🖤 After your tattoo is dry apply your aftercare (I will advise on the best aftercare cream to use) by gently massaging a very thin layer into the skin. You will need to apply aftercare 2-3 times per day for 2 weeks. Each time you apply aftercare make sure you wash your hands to prevent infection and each time wash the tattoo as instructed above before applying it. If there is still excess aftercare on your tattoo, carefully wipe away the excess with kitchen roll. It’s important not to overdo it with aftercare cream as too much can cause issues with healing.
🖤 Your tattoo will form a light flaky scab during the healing process and will start to itch. This is perfectly normal. It is essential that you do not pick or scratch the scabs. This could lead to patchiness and/or infection.
🖤Wear loose, clean clothes while your tattoo is healing. Cotton is best. Do not wear fluffy wool or anything that could get stuck or caught on your tattoo while it’s healing, or anything tight.
🖤 It’s important to keep pets away from your tattoo while it’s healing and do not let anyone touch it! Never touch it while healing without washing your hands first. This could lead to an infection.
🖤 When your tattoo is healing you must not expose it to direct sunlight (this includes tanning beds). After your tattoo has healed on the surface it can still take a further 2-3 months for it to fully heal in the dermis layer of your skin (where the ink is positioned). Direct sunlight exposure while this is still settling and healing can cause rapid fading and hyperpigmentation. Keep the tattoo covered AND apply SPF 50 when exposed during this period.
🖤 After the tattoo is fully healed (i.e. after 3 months+) it is important to always wear a high factor sun cream (SPF 50) when exposed to direct sunlight to keep the tattoo looking its absolute best for as long as possible. Sun exposure is the biggest cause of fading.
🖤 Please make sure you follow these instructions to get the best possible healing result. If you have any questions please contact me.
I hope you enjoyed your experience at Cavalry Tattoo Studio! I would love to hear about it. I’d really appreciate it if you could leave a review on my Facebook page or Google.
Thank you 😊