The Tattoo aftercare process is often overcomplicated but is actually very simple if you follow a few simple steps given to you by your tattoo artist.

Below, we will describe three different ways in which we heal a tattoo, depending on its size, placement, style and the client’s day-to-day work situation.

In most cases, we will tell everyone to listen to the advice of their artist and how they tell their client to heal a tattoo. Every artist has a slight variation and they know how their tattoos heal best, but over the past nearly 20 years of my tattoo career, I have heard some people give some wild advice on how to heal a tattoo or they send their clients out of the studio with no advice what so ever.

Before we go any further, I want to mention that everyone seems to heal at different rates. The length of time is variable due to many different factors.

• Placement on the body
• How healthy you are and the quality of your skin.
• If you follow the aftercare instructions given to you by your tattoo artist or not.
• If your tattoo is damaged during the healing process, for example, if you scratch the tattoo, pick scabs or get an infection.
• The size of your tattoo. Larger tattoos can take longer to heal. Conversely, a small line tattoo can be healed in seven days.
•  If your tattoo artist has overworked the skin, the chances of your tattoo healing well are slim. If, by chance, your tattoo does heal well, then you are probably not going to be happy with it anyway. Always do your research before you get tattooed, and always check the portfolio of your chosen artist to see that they are consistently producing good work.

So, before I explain the different methods for optimal healing, there are a few things you will need beforehand. They cost very little but are essential parts of the healing process.

• Coconut Oil
• Fragrance-free soap
• Cling film (Saran wrap) if you are required to wrap your tattoo again.
• Surgical tape if you are required to wrap your tattoo again.

As I mentioned previously, we use different methods of healing a fresh tattoo in our shop, depending on the tattoo, its placement, and other variables. So, let’s explore those methods.

    1: Three Hour Wrap

This method is what I use for 90% of my clients’ aftercare processes and is the best way for most Artists. It’s simple and easy for most people, and your tattoo will be healed in no time, provided you follow the aftercare instructions. Always remember to clean your hands before and after any aftercare procedure.

• After Approximately 2-4 hours with clean hands take the cling film off that you left your tattoo appointment with.

There will likely be excess ink, but this is nothing to be concerned about. It is just an excess of sweat, blood, and plasma. Put the cling film straight into the closest bin and proceed to the next step.

• Clean your tattoo with your fragrance-free mild soap.

Be sure to check the temperature of the water and make sure it is not too hot. Ideally, you want lukewarm water.

Lightly clean down the tattooed area with soap to get rid of all the build-up of fluid; the larger the tattoo and the saturation of ink, the more excess there will be. This can be slightly sore with the initial clean; just take your time and make sure you get it completely clean.

• Dry your tattoo with a clean towel.

You can also let your tattoo air dry before you move on to the next step.

• Apply coconut oil

When the tattoo is dry, apply a thin layer of ointment. We generally only advise using coconut oil, it’s cheap and, over the years, is the best thing we have come across for healing tattoos.

Most tattoo aftercare creams are overly expensive and have all sorts of unnecessary ingredients.

If you do decide to buy a branded tattoo aftercare cream, make sure it contains as few ingredients as possible.

• Keep your tattoo clean and repeat this step 3 times a day.

It is as simple as that: keep your tattoo clean and repeat the steps of washing, drying your tattoo and applying your aftercare product 3 times a day; always make sure you clean your hands before and after the after-care process, and your tattoo will be healed in around two weeks.

 2: Three-day wrap

• Repeat method 1 (3-hour wrap) 3/4 times a day and then re-apply fresh clingfilm. 

This will involve a little planning. For example, if you work from home or have access to a sterile cleaning facility, it will be easy.

• After your first clean and you have applied your tattoo ointment, you will wrap the tattoo up with clingfilm and use surgical tape to hold it in place.
• You will clean the tattoo again and apply NEW clingfilm and tape at even intervals throughout the day, such as when you wake up, at lunchtime, in the early evening, and, in some cases, before bed.
• On the fourth or fifth day, you can remove the clingfilm for the final time, clean and dry the area, and apply a thin layer of tattoo ointment a few times a day for the next week.

IMPORTANT: If you work on a building site or cannot access a sterile cleaning facility during the day, you will clean your tattoo in the morning, as soon as you arrive home from work, and again in the evening.

I generally heal my own tattoos this way but don’t often recommend it to my clients. It can have problems and doesn’t work for everyone.

In the Hot summer, it can become very irritating with excessive sweating and is more prone to allergic reactions due to being wrapped in clingfilm for a few days. These issues can be avoided, but you need to follow the process precisely as it is laid out.

I use this method with clients I have tattooed multiple times. I know they are going to follow the steps I lay out for them and that the “three-hour wrap method” doesn’t work for them. These reasons may be that they generally scab heavily, have a dirty job like working on a building site, or the tattoo is located in the back of the knee or elbow ditch, and the tattoo is heavily saturated in that area, making it hard to heal.

 3: Saniderm

Saniderm is a transparent, waterproof, breathable adhesive used for healing tattoos.

You apply the adhesive once, and it can stay on for up to five days. saniderm acts as a second skin protecting your tattoo from anything it may come into contact with.

Once it is applied, you don’t need to do anything to the tattoo until the protective barrier is taken off days later. It is also worth noting that you shower as usual.

Saniderm is advertised as waterproof, but as a precaution, I wouldn’t advise you to use hot tubs, go in a swimming pool, or go into the sea until your tattoo is healed.

Saniderm works very well, but only when it is appropriately applied. If you have had a big tattoo session and the skin is very saturated with ink and the protective barrier is used straight away, it will fall off of its own accord within a couple of hours due to the tattoo still kicking out plasma for a while afterwards.

I advise that you apply this after your first initial clean 3/4 hours after leaving the studio to avoid this. (This won’t apply to small linework or dotwork tattoos that are less traumatic on the skin. In my experience, you can use the Saniderm right after the tattoo is finished for these syles of work).

• After Approximately 2-4 hours with clean hands take the cling film off that you left your tattoo appointment with.

This is the exact same process as the first aftercare healing process. If you have had a big tattoo session, expect it to kick out a lot of plasma.

• Clean your tattoo with your fragrance-free mild soap. 
  
• Dry your tattoo with a clean towel or let air dry.
• Apply the Saniderm.
  

Make sure your fresh tattoo is completely dry and free of any leftover plasma. If it still has a slimy texture, give it another wash. This part of the process is essential to make sure the Saniderm adheres to your skin correctly.

When you cut the Saniderm to size, make sure it is approximately an inch each way bigger than the tattoo.

When you apply the Saniderm, do your best to ensure there are no air bubbles. These air bubbles will eventually split, leaving your tattoo exposed.

• Peel the Saniderm of 3/5 days later.

After 3/5 days or As directed by your tattoo artist, peel the protective film off. At this stage, the film will be ready to come off and peeling away at the edges. If it is deciding to be stubborn, I find it best to jump in the shower and apply some soap to help it off.

• Apply coconut oil for the next week.

At this stage, your tattoo should be mostly healed. Apply a thin layer of coconut oil to your tattoo for the next week to help it through the final stages of healing.

The coconut oil will also be a perfect skin moisturiser.

    CONCLUSION

Whatever method you have been told to heal your tattoo, remember that it is an open wound, so treat it as such.

The most important thing is keeping your tattoo clean and being as hygienic as possible when you are cleaning it.

If you have a dog and this is not your first tattoo, it will come as no surprise that they are very attracted to open wounds, and they want to help you heal by licking your tattoo better for you. As cute as it may seem, this is an absolute NO-NO for apparent reasons ( Yep, I’ve heard of people letting their dogs lick their tattoos)

Do not pick any scabs at all costs. It will pull the colour out of the skin, leaving your tattoo with a less-than-desirable result. If your tattoo does scab Heavily, leave it alone and let it fall off of its own accord. If the tattoo is done well, it should heal perfectly.

At the last stage of healing, your tattoo will feel itchy and dry; don’t itch your tattoo with your nails. If the itching becomes unbearable (and it can do) give it a slap with your hand. Apply an unscented lotion at this stage can help.

During the healing process, keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight. It will be more sensitive to UV radiation and at a higher risk of infection.

It is a good idea to avoid tight clothing. If you are healing a tattoo like example 1, clothing can stick to a freshly done tattoo and cause problems. It’s advised not to do any strenuous exercise like going to the gym for a few days to let your tattoo and body heal.

Most importantly, don’t overthink the process of healing a tattoo. Follow the simple steps provided and enjoy your new tattoo.