Black Opal Tattoo Studio
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Tattoo Aftercare

Looking After Your New Tattoo

Proper aftercare is an important part of achieving the best possible healed result. Please select the type of tattoo you have had below and follow the relevant instructions. If you are unsure which instructions apply to you, contact your artist before changing your aftercare routine.

Standard Tattoo Aftercare

For normal tattoo healing, including second-skin and traditional healing instructions.

View Standard Aftercare Guide

Opaque Cover-Up Aftercare

Specific aftercare for heavily saturated opaque cover-up work. These tattoos can require a different healing process.

View Opaque Cover-Up Aftercare Guide

Standard Tattoo Aftercare

Download Standard Tattoo Aftercare Guide

A new tattoo is an open wound. Keeping it clean and following the correct aftercare helps protect the tattoo while your skin heals. If you are unsure about anything during healing, contact the studio.

  • Redness during the first 1-3 days.
  • Mild swelling and warmth.
  • Plasma weeping during the first 24-48 hours.
  • Itching, peeling and flaking as the tattoo heals.
  • Light scabbing.

Most tattoos surface-heal within approximately 2-4 weeks, although larger tattoos may take longer.

During the first 24 hours

  • Some fluid build-up underneath the dressing is normal.
  • Do not remove the dressing unless it begins to leak or the seal becomes compromised.
  • If the dressing is compromised, remove it and continue using the traditional healing method below.

 

When removing the second skin

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
  2. Remove the dressing gently under lukewarm water.
  3. Wash the tattoo gently using fragrance-free antibacterial soap.
  4. Pat dry using clean disposable paper towel.
  5. Allow the tattoo to air dry for approximately 10-15 minutes.
  6. Apply a very thin layer of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter (butter form).

 

Ongoing care

  • Clean the tattoo 2-3 times each day.
  • Apply only a thin layer of cocoa butter.
  • Do not over-moisturise the tattoo.

During the first few hours

  • Leave the initial wrap in place for approximately 2-4 hours.
  • Remove the wrap and gently wash the tattoo.
  • Pat the area dry using clean disposable paper towel.

 

Daily routine – 2-3 times per day

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
  2. Wash the tattoo gently.
  3. Pat the tattoo dry.
  4. Apply a very thin layer of cocoa butter.
  • Do not scratch, pick or peel the tattoo.
  • Do not soak the tattoo in baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes or the sea for approximately 2-3 weeks.
  • Avoid direct sun exposure and tanning.
  • Avoid tight clothing rubbing against the tattoo.
  • Avoid heavy gym friction or excessive sweating around the tattoo while it is healing.
  • Do not use petroleum jelly or fragranced lotions on the tattoo.
  • Do not shave over the tattoo until it has healed.
  • Keep pets away from the healing tattoo.
  • Avoid alcohol for the first 24-48 hours.
  • Wear clean, loose clothing around the tattoo.
  • Change bedding regularly.
  • Keep the area clean.
  • Avoid dirty environments while the tattoo is healing.

WHEN TO SEEK ADVICE

Some redness, warmth, swelling and tenderness can be normal during early healing. Contact the studio if you are concerned. Warning signs can include spreading redness, severe or worsening swelling, yellow or green discharge, increasing heat, fever or chills, red streaking, or pain that is increasing rather than settling. If you suspect an infection or become unwell, seek appropriate professional medical care.

  • Moisturise the skin regularly once healed.
  • Use sunscreen on healed tattoos.
  • Stay hydrated.
  • Protect your tattoo from excessive sun exposure.

Healing varies from person to person. Larger tattoos can take longer to heal, and itching is common – do not scratch. Touch-ups should only be assessed once the tattoo has completely healed. If you are ever unsure about the healing process, contact Black Opal Tattoo Studio.

Opaque Cover-Up Aftercare

Download Opaque Cover-Up Aftercare Guide

Opaque cover-ups involve heavy saturation of the skin in order to successfully cover an existing tattoo. Because considerably more pigment is worked into the area, the skin can experience more trauma than with a lighter tattoo.

This can mean more swelling, redness, tenderness, weeping and a more difficult healing process. There is also an increased possibility of healing complications, so following these aftercare instructions carefully is particularly important.

Your tattoo will initially be covered with cling film. Remove this approximately 2 hours after leaving the studio.

Once removed:

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
  2. Gently wash the tattoo using lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap.
  3. Do not scrub the tattoo or use a flannel, sponge or anything abrasive.
  4. Gently pat it dry using clean disposable paper towel, or allow it to air dry.
  5. Leave the tattoo uncovered and allow the skin to settle.

Because opaque cover-ups involve particularly heavy saturation, swelling can be more significant than you may have experienced with other tattoos. The amount varies depending on the individual, the size and location of the tattoo and the amount of work carried out.

Some areas of the body can swell considerably following heavy tattoo work. Swelling during the early stages does not necessarily mean that something is wrong and should generally begin to settle as the skin recovers. Where practical, resting and elevating a heavily tattooed arm or leg may help. Swelling that continues to become significantly worse rather than gradually improving – particularly when accompanied by increasing redness, heat, severe pain, discharge or feeling unwell – should not be ignored. Contact us for advice and seek appropriate medical attention if necessary.

During the period before your second skin is applied, the tattoo will be uncovered and good hygiene is particularly important.

  • Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching or cleaning the tattoo.
  • Avoid unnecessarily touching the tattoo.
  • Use fresh, clean bedding and clean clothing, particularly while the tattoo is uncovered.
  • Do not allow the tattoo to come into contact with dirty clothing, used towels or other potentially contaminated surfaces.
  • Do not allow pets to lick, rub against or sleep directly against the tattoo.
  • Be particularly conscious of pets sharing your bed while the tattoo is uncovered.

We will provide you with second skin to apply once the initial weeping has settled. We generally recommend applying it approximately 24-48 hours after your appointment, depending on how much the tattoo is weeping and how the skin is behaving.

DO NOT APPLY IT JUST BECAUSE 24 HOURS HAVE PASSED

If the tattoo is still weeping heavily, do not rush to apply the second skin. Contact us if you are unsure whether the tattoo is ready.

Before applying the second skin:

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
  2. Gently clean the tattoo again using lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap.
  3. Pat dry using clean disposable paper towel.
  4. Allow the tattoo and surrounding skin to air dry completely.
  5. Apply the second skin only once the area is completely clean and dry.

Do not apply creams, moisturisers or aftercare products underneath the second skin.

If you would prefer not to apply it yourself, you are very welcome to return to the studio and we will apply it for you.

Once applied, the second skin can remain in place for up to 5 days, provided it remains fully sealed and comfortable.

Remove it sooner if:

  • It begins to leak.
  • The seal becomes compromised.
  • It lifts enough to expose any part of the tattoo.
  • Excessive fluid collects underneath it.
  • You develop increasing redness, irritation, burning, itching or discomfort associated with the dressing.

A small amount of fluid underneath a properly sealed dressing is not necessarily a problem. If you are unsure whether the amount you are seeing is normal, contact us.

If fluid is escaping from underneath the second skin, the protective seal has been compromised and bacteria may also be able to enter. Do not leave a leaking or compromised dressing in place simply to reach the five-day mark.

If the second skin comes away early because the tattoo continues to weep, contact us. We can either apply another piece for you or advise you on the best way to continue healing without it.

Never reapply a piece of second skin that has already been removed.

Remove the dressing gently, ideally under warm running water. Slowly stretch and peel the dressing back along the skin rather than pulling it directly upwards and away from the tattoo.

  • Continue washing the tattoo gently with fragrance-free soap and keep it clean.
  • Once the tattoo begins to dry, a very small amount of suitable fragrance-free tattoo aftercare product can be used if required.
  • Do not smother the tattoo – more product does not mean better healing.
  • Never pick, scratch or peel scabs or flaking skin. Allow everything to come away naturally.

For at least the first two weeks, and until the tattoo is fully healed:

  • No swimming.
  • No baths or soaking the tattoo.
  • No hot tubs, saunas or steam rooms.
  • No sunbeds.
  • Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight.
  • Avoid tight or dirty clothing rubbing against the tattoo.
  • Avoid excessive sweating or activities that repeatedly rub, stretch or irritate the area.
  • Do not shave over the tattoo until the skin has completely healed.
  • Do not pick or scratch the tattoo.

Showers are absolutely fine – just avoid prolonged soaking and do not blast the tattoo directly with very hot water. Once fully healed, regularly using a high-SPF sunscreen will help protect the tattoo and maintain the colour.

We strongly advise against using numbing cream for opaque cover-up work unless it has been specifically discussed and agreed with your artist beforehand. Opaque cover-ups require the skin to tolerate a considerable amount of saturation. Numbing products can affect the condition and response of the skin and may cause irritation or other unwanted reactions, making already demanding work less predictable. If numbing cream has been used without your artist’s knowledge, please tell us before your appointment begins.

Some redness, tenderness, swelling, warmth and weeping can be normal immediately after heavily saturated tattoo work. However, these symptoms should generally improve rather than become progressively worse.

Please contact us if you experience:

  • Redness that continues spreading away from the tattoo.
  • Swelling that becomes significantly worse.
  • Increasing or excessive pain.
  • Increasing heat or burning around the tattoo.
  • Yellow or green discharge, pus or an unpleasant smell.
  • Red streaking extending away from the tattoo.
  • Fever, chills or feeling generally unwell.
  • Anything else about the healing process that concerns you.

Because opaque work is particularly heavy on the skin, please do not ignore signs that something is not healing correctly. It may turn out to be completely normal, but we would always rather you contact us. Identifying and treating a genuine problem early is much better than waiting for it to become worse.

IMPORTANT

If you become systemically unwell, develop rapidly spreading redness or swelling, or otherwise believe you may have a significant infection, seek appropriate medical attention rather than waiting for a response from the studio.

Opaque cover-ups can heal differently from person to person. Sometimes the existing tattoo is covered perfectly after the initial session. Other times, areas may heal lighter or some of the original tattoo may become slightly more visible once everything has settled.

Every opaque cover-up includes one free touch-up session where required. The tattoo must be completely healed before we can properly assess whether a touch-up is needed.

If additional touch-up sessions are required after the first free session, these will be charged at a small amount to cover the artist’s time, equipment and setup costs. Our minimum charge is £50.

Needing a touch-up does not necessarily mean anything has gone wrong – it can simply be part of the process when covering an existing tattoo using heavily saturated opaque work.

Keep your tattoo clean, follow the aftercare instructions above and otherwise leave it alone as much as possible while your body heals it. Opaque cover-ups are demanding tattoos for both the artist and your skin, so do not be surprised if the healing process feels more substantial than tattoos you have had previously.

If you are unsure about anything during the healing process, please contact Black Opal Tattoo Studio. We would much rather look at something unnecessarily than have you ignore a potential problem.