Aftercare

| Aftercare

I recommend using Underdog Tattoo Balm to use as aftercare once your tattoo has started to get dry. It's vegan, cruelty free and made locally in Bournemouth by tattoo artists. This is also what I use whilst tattooing. 

When we have finished tattooing, I will wrap the area in cling film which needs to be taken off 2-3 hours later. After washing your hands properly you will need to wash it down with clean water and pat it dry with clean kitchen paper or leave to air dry. I usually recommend wrapping the area up before sleeping to prevent the bed sheet sticking to it. If it is very heavy work (large black areas or colour) it may need to wrapped up for around 3 nights to protect it. 

After about 3 days or when the tattoo gets dry, you need to start applying aftercare cream. I recommend Underdog Tattoo Balm, but you can also use coconut oil or cocoa butter; as long as it's pure and has no additives it should be fine to use. There are also many other tattoo balms on the market that should be fine to use but these are the specific ones that I have tried and tested myself. It is a very good idea to do a patch test a few days before using any cream on broken skin. (Please note, only use products that you are not allergic to. Using products once the tattoo goes dry will help prevent a reaction if you have sensitive skin.)

I recommend applying the cream 3 times a day for around 2 weeks after the tattoo appointment. In this 2 weeks it is advised to avoid the following:

| Bathing and swimming,

| Sun bathing, including sun beds,

| Applying fake tan, make up, sun cream or any other creams to the area (Apart from approved aftercare creams),

| Pick at, itch or shave over the tattoo,

| Wear tight clothing over the tattoo.

Please get in touch if you have any problems during the healing process. Please do not rely on "friends' advice" as often they recommend the wrong information, it is always advised to speak to a professional artist.