Tattoo Aftercare

Taking care of yourself and your tattoo is essential before and after your session. Here at Celebrity Ink we recommend that you follow our comprehensive aftercare guide to ensure your tattoo stays fresh and vibrant.

Getting a tattoo is exciting, and we’re here to bring your vision to life!

Are you ready to get inked? Let’s get started!

Taking care of yourself and your tattoo is essential before and after your session. Here at Celebrity Ink, we recommend that you follow our comprehensive aftercare guide to ensure your tattoo stays fresh and vibrant.

Getting a tattoo is exciting, and we’re here to bring your vision to life!

Are you ready to get inked? Let’s get started!

How To Care For Your Fresh Ink

You’ve made it! The hard part is over; now it’s time to look after your new, beautiful tattoo!
Whether it’s your first tattoo and you’re not sure what to do or you’re well versed in the world of ink, it’s essential to follow these aftercare instructions.

On the day you get inked, your tattoo artist will apply a plastic wrap to your skin. You must keep this on for a minimum of one (1) hour to ensure optimal protection. There is no need to re-wrap your tattoo after the plastic wrap has been removed.

On the day

1-48 hrs

after your tattoo

For the first two days, cleanse your tattoo gently with Supreme Creme Tattoo Foam Wash and Supreme Creme Tattoo Wipes. The skin-friendly ingredients in the products are perfect for cleansing your skin while maintaining a healthy PH level and optimum skin biome conditions.

Apply a thin layer of Supreme Creme Tattoo aftercare cream twice daily with clean, dry hands for two weeks. This will assist with protection and hydration while your new ink is healing. The tattoo aftercare contains 100% natural ingredients and is vegan-friendly. If you are not home and able to clean the skin or shower in between applying aftercare cream, we recommend using the Supreme Creme Tattoo Wipes to clean and remove debris before each application. The tattoo wipes can also be used throughout the day, or anytime you feel necessary. With a non-alcohol base and containing Aloe Vera, the tattoo wipes are a great cleansing option whilst on the go. We use the 2,2,2 rule to remember this - Don’t apply for 2 days. Then apply 2 times per day for 2 weeks.

48hrs-14 days

after your tattoo

Up to 2 weeks

after your tattoo

Within a few days, your tattoo will start to heal, and these steps will ensure your tattoo heals well:

Avoid sun exposure, as this can impair the healing process and negatively impact the outcome of your ink.
Excessive moisture and water can increase the chance of infection and impair the skin's healing. Avoid swimming, spas, saunas, baths, or any prolonged water activities for four (4) days after your tattoo.
Avoid excessive sweating and exercise for 14 days.

Continue to avoid sun exposure.

What to expect: Your new ink will likely peel and scab. This is all part of the healing process. Do not pick or scratch the area, as this can lead to scarring, infection, and ink dropouts. Keep in mind that during the first few days, tattoo ink can stain certain fabrics, such as linen and silk.

It can take up to 6 months for your tattoo to heal completely and settle into the skin's tissue. For best results, avoid sun exposure, moisturise daily, and keep hydrated. Please remember that we are here to help! If at any time you are concerned about the healing process of your new ink, please contact your local studio for support.

14-30 days

after your tattoo

How To Care For Your Fresh Ink

You’ve made it! The hard part is over; now it’s time to look after your new, beautiful tattoo!
So, whether it’s your first tattoo and you’re not sure what to do, or you’re well versed in the world of ink, it’s essential to follow these aftercare instructions.

On the day

On the day you get inked, your tattoo artist will apply a plastic wrap to your skin. You must keep this on for a minimum of one (1) hour to ensure optimal protection. There is no need to re-wrap your tattoo after the plastic wrap has been removed.

1-48 hrs

after your tattoo

For the first two days, cleanse your tattoo gently with Supreme Creme Tattoo Foam Wash and Supreme Creme Tattoo Wipes. The skin-friendly ingredients in the products are perfect for cleansing your skin while maintaining a healthy PH level and optimum skin biome conditions.

48hrs-14 days

after your tattoo

Apply a thin layer of Supreme Creme Tattoo aftercare cream twice daily with clean, dry hands for two weeks. This will assist with protection and hydration while your new ink is healing. The tattoo aftercare contains 100% natural ingredients and is vegan-friendly. If you are not home and able to clean the skin or shower in between applying aftercare cream, we recommend using the Supreme Creme Tattoo Wipes to clean and remove debris before each application. The tattoo wipes can also be used throughout the day, or anytime you feel necessary. With a non-alcohol base and containing Aloe Vera, the tattoo wipes are a great cleansing option whilst on the go. We use the 2,2,2 rule to remember this - Don’t apply for 2 days. Then apply 2 times per day for 2 weeks.

Up to 2 weeks

after your tattoo

Within a few days, your tattoo will start to heal, and these steps will ensure your tattoo heals well:

Avoid sun exposure, as this can impair the healing process and negatively impact the outcome of your ink.
Excessive moisture and water can increase the chance of infection and impair the skin's healing. Avoid swimming, spas, saunas, baths, or any prolonged water activities for four (4) days after your tattoo.
Avoid excessive sweating and exercise for 14 days.

14-30 days

after your tattoo

Continue to avoid sun exposure.

What to expect: Your new ink will likely peel and scab. This is all part of the healing process. Do not pick or scratch the area, as this can lead to scarring, infection, and ink dropouts. Keep in mind that during the first few days, tattoo ink can stain certain fabrics, such as linen and silk.

It can take up to 6 months for your tattoo to heal completely and settle into the skin's tissue. For best results, avoid sun exposure, moisturise daily, and keep hydrated. Please remember that we are here to help! If at any time you are concerned about the healing process of your new ink, please contact your local studio for support.

What To Avoid With A Fresh Tattoo

You’re inked! So, what are the things to avoid to ensure ultimate fresh tattoo care?

Keeping your tattoo covered for too long

Fresh tattoos are open wounds and are covered with plastic wrap to start the initial healing phase. However, removing that wrap before six hours is vital as blood and plasma accumulation can block your skin pores, preventing them from breathing and damaging your new tattoo.

Touching your tattoo

Like with any wound, touching it can lead to bacteria getting in and causing infection. Avoid touching it (unless when applying aftercare cream for your tattoo).

Picking or scratching your tattoo

One of the most common traits about new tattoos is that when they start to heal, they begin to scab over. However, one of the worst things you can do is to pick or scratch, as it can potentially damage the lines and colour of your tattoo.

Excessive sun exposure

Spending too much time in the sun can quickly ruin your new tattoo. During the first 30 days, stay out of the sun as much as possible.

Shaving

If your new tattoo is in a spot where you frequently shave, you must avoid shaving the area until it has fully healed (at least one month). Shaving over a new tattoo reopens the wound, which can mess up your new ink.

Excessive moisture and water

After getting a new tattoo, it’s best to avoid swimming, baths, spas or any excessive water activities for two weeks post-tattoo. Excessive water and moisture on your tattoo can increase the chance of infection and prevent the healing process from being successful.

Tight clothing

For your tattoo to heal, it must be able to breathe. Wear loose-fitted clothing to allow air to circulate around your tattoo.

Using a loofah

When you’re in the shower, avoid using a loofah to clean your tattoo at all costs. Not only will it hurt, but loofahs are full of bacteria and can lead to infection.

Tattoo Healing Timeline

Whether you’ve opted to get a small, dainty design or a large, detailed piece, all tattoos go through the same healing process.
The tattoo healing timeline can be broken into the stages below:

Inflammation

days 1-3

Once you remove the plastic wrap (up to six hours after you’ve been inked), you may notice the area around your tattoo is red or swollen. You may also see some ink, along with some blood and plasma, coming out of the tattoo, which is very normal!

Itching

days 4-14

As the healing process continues, the top layer of skin over your tattoo will begin to peel, scab and itch. This is a normal part of the healing process. Avoid scratching and picking at the scabs during this time, as it can damage your tattoo.

Invisible Recovery

days 14-30

After two weeks, the visible signs of healing (itching, peeling, etc.) begin to subside, and invisible recovery begins. During this time, your tattoo might appear dry and dull. However, once you’ve hit the one-month mark, your tattoo will have taken on its permanent, vibrant colour. The skin underneath will continue to heal for a few months afterwards.

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