Congratulations on your new tattoo! Now that the easy part is done, the hard part is here, and that's healing it!

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Keep your new tattoo wrapped in the second skin for 5 days as your new fresh tattoo, is essentially a wound and therefore a breeding ground for bacteria - which could cause an infection, and removing it to soon may cause damage to the skin and tattoo. In those 5 days, it is normal for it to look gross, like the ink is coming out or even that the lines or shapes are blurring or smudging, this is normal.

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When 5 days is over, remove the protective covering, and wash it (preferably with unscented soap). To remove it properly, lather the soap up in your hands and gently start at a corner and pick at it and peel, rubbing soap as you peel it off (slow and steady! Use the soap to break the adhesive off of your skin). This will take a while but be patient as if you rip the second skin off, it will cause damage to the tattoo. Once it is off, you may see a transfer of your tattoo of the plastic, this is completely normal. Now wash over the tattoo and surrounding area (use the weight of your hand to do this, don't push hardly down as your skin is now sensitive). Gently wash all the soap off with lukewarm water. Wash it thoroughly until it feels like normal skin (no sliminess or shine) and make sure not to soak it in water. This is to wash off any blood, adhesive and plasma that may be left behind. When clean, leave to air dry. DO NOT dry with a towel as there is bacteria on towels and the fibres may cause irritation to the skin (remember this is a fresh wound).

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Repeat this process a minimum of 3 times a day for the next 3 days, there on after whenever you shower or bath.

Your tattoo is now clean and has been air dried - now it needs to be moisturized so that it can heal and not crack and scab. Apply aftercare cream (we recommend Flash Ink, E-45 or Epimax only) a minimum of 3 times a day to ensure that it is well moisturized.

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You will notice that it will peel, just like sunburn does after a few days. This is perfectly normal, it happens because your body is generating a fresh layer of skin. If there is any adhesive or redness left on the skin, that is normal and it will subside in a few days.

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Yes, you can, and should, shower with your new tattoo. The second skin is water proof but we still don't recommend swimming with it on. Once the second skin comes off, it's fine to get your tattoo wet, just don't soak it.

Soaking your tattoo can cause serious damage, so you'll want to avoid that for 2-3 weeks (just to be safe). If you get shampoo on your tattoo, wash it away quickly with water and soap. Swimming whether in a pool, fresh or salt water, needs to be avoided until your tattoo is fully healed. Salt water draws ink out.

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After a couple of days your tattoo will start to peel/flake. This is normal, sometimes even a slight scab will form. DO NOT pick at the scab, as this will cause your tattoo to scar. You will also start to itch, this is completely normal as it is healing, just make sure not to scratch at it. If the itch is unbearable, it's probably a. It dry, so make sure your hands are clean and then put some aftercare cream on it.

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Once your tattoo is fully healed you are now finally able to go out into the sun, however you still need to look after it. The sun is not your friend and is actually the biggest cause of fading and cause of your tattoo to look dull. If you are going into the sun remember to wear protection! Apply liberally and as often as necessary, the more the merrier. This will help maintain vibrant colors and your tattoo will look amazing for years to come. Often sun damage will cause black ink to appear blue/green/purple, and cause colors to look washed out - and we don't want that.