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Tattoo Aftercare Using Pads | Mikan Tattoo Southampton’s Healing Tips

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Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help your tattoo heal beautifully. But first, a few rules to follow so we don’t run into problems:

  • No swimming, soaking, or beach trips, showers are ideal.
  • Keep it out of the sun (and no sunscreen) until it’s fully healed.
  • Don’t pick, scratch, or smother it with too much balm.
  • Keep pets, gym gear, and dirty hands away from your tattoo.
  • Wear loose clothing, no rubbing or friction on the area
  • Wash with unscented liquid soap, nothing strong or perfumed.
  • Trust this guide over what your friends say.
Step 1

1. Leave the bandage you were wrapped with on overnight (unless you’ve been sweating heavily or your session finished earlier in the day, then wash and reapply). This helps reduce contamination and protects your sheets.

Step 2

2. Remove the bandage carefully and wash your hands and tattoo with warm water and gentle antibacterial liquid soap that’s not too strongly scented.

Step 3

3. Rinse the tattoo thoroughly to remove all soap residue.

Step 4

4. Dab the tattoo dry with clean kitchen paper or let it air dry. Gently wipe away any plasma build up that remains after washing with a damp cotton pad/ kitchen paper (don’t scrub it).

Step 5

5. After wiping the plasma build up off wait 10 minutes before repeating until the plasma stops weeping.

Step 6

6. Once dry, wait 1–2 hours minimum before applying any balm. Your skin should feel tight and look dry before applying any balm.

Step 7

7. Apply a pea-sized amount of balm (for A4-sized areas). Only a thin layer is needed for the skin to breathe. I’ve seen great results by applying balm once just after showering and then once before bed, sometimes less is more.

Step 8

8. Around day 3–4, peeling begins. Reduce balm use to 0–2 times daily. Don’t scratch or pick. Keep it dry so dead skin peels away naturally.

Step 9

9. Once peeling is done, moisturise lightly for up to a month using balm, moisturiser or Cicaplast to keep the skin nourished.

If you’re unsure about your environment the next day, you can rewrap the tattoo with the pad provided (if you feel you may need more just ask and we can provide you with extra pads if needed). Be sure to change the bandage and wash the tattoo for every new bandage applied regularly (morning, noon, and before bed) and switch to the steps above when you’re in a clean environment. ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE TOUCHING A NEW TATTOO.