After your appointment you got some aftercare film put on your fresh tattoo. You can leave this on for up to three days.

While it’s on you can shower with it, but no submerging it in water. It may fill up with some blood, ink and plasma - that’s normal!

When it starts coming off, or the 3 days is up, take it off with freshly-washed hands under warm water - preferably in the shower. Rinse your tattoo off and pat dry with a clean towel (or paper towel).

Some tattoos will be wrapped instead depending on the size/placement.

Keep this on between 1-5 hours. When you take if out, jump into the shower and with clean washed hands wrinse your tattoo with warm water. Pat dry with a clean towel (or paper towel).

Note: only ever re-cover your tattoo with food-grade gladwrap if you will unavoidably be doing something that will mess with your new tattoo. Ie, you are a cook and may get hot oil on the tattoo, landscaper and digging in dirt. Only do this for the first day after the tattoo.

The number one reason tattoos get infected is by not keeping the area clean. Do not touch it unless you have just cleaned your hands, and do not let anyone else touch it while healing.

After the initial rinse, you can then use anti-bacterial unscented soap once to twice a day (depending on your job/hobbies).

Always use a clean towel to pat dry, or use disposable paper towels.

I recommend using an organic or natural moisturiser that is specifically for tattoos.

Be mindful of ‘double dipping’ - do not let anyone else use your pot or tube as cross contamination may happen.

Use a small amount once to twice a day depending how dry it gets. Use just enough to moisturise the area and that’s it. Too much may cause healing problems. And always use clean hands when applying the cream.

Your tattoo will take time to heal. There will be the first heal of the tattoo, and then when it’s still dry, you will want to continue to keep it moisturised.

The time it takes the tattoo to heal will depends on how big it is, where your tattoo is and if there was packed ink in the area. You will be advised an approximate amount of time it may take to heal - but everyone is different.

While the tattoo is healing it may get itchy - do not itch, slap or pick at it. If you need to, either itch around the tattoo or put some ice on it to smooth it.

Scabbing is normal, however if you are not moisturising it, scabbing may pull out the ink from a tattoo. Following the aftercare tips will minimize the chances of this happening.

Everyone heals differently. If you are concerned about the healing or your healed tattoo please contact me immediately.

These are available on a case by case basis within three months of getting the tattoo.

If this is for an older tattoo, or from a different artist, please contact me about a consultation.

Make sure you wear appropriate clothing after you get a tattoo. Do not wear anything that will be tight or rub up against the fresh tattoo - this includes socks and bras.

Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight until 4 weeks have passed. You can start using sunblock only once the tattoo is completely healed. For the longevity of the tattoo once it has healed, always wear sunblock on the area when going out in the sun.

Once scabbing has finished and you are at the end of the healing process, you can start swimming, using the bath or going to the sauna again.

If you do these things before your tattoo has finished healing, the tattoo may be distorted or parts of it fall out completely. If you fail to follow the aftercare information, an extra charge may incur if you need a touch up in the future.

For the first three days I advise everyone to take it easy - including exercise. Light cardio is okay but self regulation will be key. Your body is recovering and healing, so putting it under more stress may result in bad healing. This can also result in your immune system getting weaker and can result in tattoo flu (cold-like symptoms).

We do not want you sweating out the fresh ink, especially if it is under the aftercare film. This is also how infects can start.

No swimming, no going to the sauna, no spas, no baths. This will be at least for the first week after getting the tattoo.

If you have a medium to large tattoo (15cm or larger) it will take longer to heal and it may take three to four weeks before you can go for a dip.