WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THE INK IS IN?
After your tattooist has applied your design, they will wash off the excess ink with a spray and depending on the artist some will cover your new ink with cling film, others will use a paper towel and tape in over the new tattoo. You will be given aftercare instructions from the tattooist, which will list a healing procedure. This list will give you valuable advice for the care of your ink, so follow it to the letter. The tattooist didn’t give it to you just for fun; the information is good, sound advice based on years of experience. The more you look after your new ink over the healing process, the better and brighter your tattoo will look.

Whatever you do, don’t scratch it! Your new ink will form a light scab after a few days and can itch like a bugger. If you scratch or pick at the scabs you will be pulling the fresh ink out of your skin and your tattoo will end up looking faded and blotchy.

Don’t go swimming or soak your new design until it is fully healed, so if you are thinking of getting some ink to show off on the beach on your hols – think again! It’s worth waiting until you get back to have the work done.

We all take different times to heal but as a rule of thumb it will heal in about a week to ten days, after which you will experience a form of light skin peeling (a bit like sunburn). After this has gone your tattoo’s colour will come through and be as bright and vibrant as the day it was applied. NOW you can show it off.

Once it is healed you will need to look after your ‘killer tatt’ with a moisturiser and if you go out in the sun, use a high factor sun block. The sun can really kill your artwork and make it look old before its time!

Hopefully we have covered most of the frequently asked questions in the above text that will guide you to getting the best ink by the best tattooist that you will be happy with for the rest of your life – ENJOY!

When it comes to aftercare, there are many schools of thought. Here is a small list and brief descriptions of some of the more popular lotions and potions to aid the healing of your tattoo.

THE AFTERCARE COMPANY Jim and Shirley have been manufacturing Tattoo Aftercare for ten years now. Tattoo Aftercare is 100% natural, being a mix of beeswax, olive oil, Calendula oil and vitamins that allow the skin to breathe freely. THC can be applied immediately after tattooing which instantly starts to soothe the skin and can help to reduce the swelling that you might encounter after the tattooing process. I have used this on several occasions and fi nd the new ink healed very quickly with little or no itching. It also has many other uses including the treatment of eczema and other skin complaints. This is the only aftercare product approved by the Humane Cosmetics Standard. It’s available from many tattoo studios or direct from the manufacturers, and The Aftercare Company have produced a very informative aftercare brochure giving guidelines on the aftercare of your new ink and what’s more, it’s free! You can download this from Jim and Shirley’s all new website: www.theaftercarecompany.com 01244 315486

AFTER INKED GOO AFTERCARE From the USA comes After Inked, and it contains no parabens or petroleum, is suitable for vegans, and is enriched with the natural antioxidant grape seed oil. It is claimed that the product heals tattoos in record time and reduces transepidermal water loss whilst preserving the skin’s natural moisture. After Inked retails in 50ml containers for £14.95 in the UK and is available from www.body4real.co.uk.  

MEDICAL BODY ART EASY TATTOO/PIERCING AFTERCARE Medical Body Art are a French Company specialising in aftercare products for the Tattoo and body piercing industry. They have a complete aftercare kit aimed at folk who have just had a tattoo or piercing. In the very stylish kit, you’ll find Easypiercing mouthwash for those who have just had, say, a tongue piercing. The wash has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and decongestant properties to care for any piercing you may have in your mouth. The formula means that you can use it frequently without upsetting your mouth’s delicate balance. As well as the mouth-wash, Medical Body Art have included some physical saline solution for rinsing fresh piercings, as well an anti-bacterial solution, which will help to fight off any secondary infections for up to two weeks after the piercing. Not forgetting the tattoo side of things, in the aftercare kit there is a bottle of Easytattoo, a mild cleansing gel to keep your new tattoo clean. The Gel is hypoallergenic, bactericidal, fragrance-free and has a neutral PH, so should be fine for all skin types helping your new ink to heal. It also has moisturisers included to help the colours in the tattoo stay bright and vibrant. The gel has a shelf life of 29 months after opening. Also included in the kit is Easytattoo repair cream, specially designed for tattoos. Again as with most of their products, it’s hypoallergenic, moisturizing and rich in vitamin A, B, C and D. Easy Tattoo repair cream enables tissue to reform quickly. It’s non-sticky and won’t stain your clothing. A larger Easytattoo cream in 100ml size and a mild cleansing gel and a new repair cream are also available. All these products come in a very stylish, environmentally friendly paper carrier bag and it’s the first complete kit on the market to care for your new piercing or tattoo. Medical Body Art can supply all the products to studios separately or as full kits. www.medicalbodyart.com UK distributors are the Wildcat Collection Limited www.wildcat.co.uk and the Belly Bar: easypiercing@yahoo.co.uk

PALMER’S COCOA BUTTER FORMULA WITH VITAMIN E  This is an advanced moisturiser that softens, smoothes and relieves dry skin so is pretty good at revitalising older tattoos. It also tones skin and apparently helps to remove stretch marks. I have applied this to a ten your-old tattoo and over a period of time and it has brought some of the faded colour back to the tattoo. It is very good for healing fresh tattoos, and it also smells of cocoa – which is nice. Available from: FUEL, 3 The Cloisters, 8 Battersea Park Road, London. SW8 4BG Tel: 020 7498 82 11 Email: info@fuelrefuel.com

BEPANTHEN  Not strictly a tattoo emollient, Bepanthen is marketed as a nappy rash cream and a cure for chapped nipples. I don’t know who came up with the idea to use this cream on fresh ink, but boy, does it work well. Apply this sparingly to your freshly worked tattoo and Bepanthen keeps the scabbing to an absolute minimum, which allows your skin to hold more of the ink. It also stops the annoying itching sensation some people get whilst their tattoo is healing. It also heals fresh ink extremely quickly. Available from branches of Boots, Tesco's and other large supermarkets.

TATTOO GOO Aftercare for your new tattoo has been a subject of debate in the tattoo community for many years. Tattoo artists have had to recommend a variety of products available from your local chemist. These products were intended to prevent cuts, burns, scrapes and abrasions from becoming infected and not for the healing of new tattoos. The majority of these products contain petroleum or lanolin which, when applied to a new tattoo, can clog skin pores and actually retard your body's healing process. There is also the possibility of allergic reactions to these products, and, application to a new tattoo can cause skin reactions leading to loss of ink and permanent damage to your tattoo. Tattoo Goo was developed to provide the best available aftercare for your new tattoo. A unique formula designed exclusively for the treatment of new tattoos. Eight different herbs, oils, and vitamins known for their natural healing properties allows the skin to breath and helps to "soothe" the tattoo as it heals. Tattoo Goo has been used on thousands of new tattoos with positive results and faster healing times. Tattoo Goo has a broad range of products with over 12 different product lines and formulations from first application for a new tattoo through to SPF30 protection for a healed tattoo. Tattoo Goo’s all natural formula uses the highest-grade oils, emollients and herbal ingredients, while others have changed or use different oils to reduce costs. Keeping our standards high provides our customers with the finest product available for healing and body art aftercare. You can also use Tattoo Goo for everyday skincare. A great way to help sooth the skin from sunburn windburn, minor cuts and scrapes.

TATTOO GOO OINTMENT When it comes to aftercare there is no better product than the original Tattoo Goo® Salve until now. Introducing new Tattoo Goo® Ointment. This is exactly the same formulation that is in the salve, only softer for those a little squeamish of applying a slightly thicker formula. The tube applicator is the same as found on all popular ointments so there is no cross contamination of the product should you choose to share it with a friend. For further information on these products contact: BARBER DTS, Churchill Way, Chapeltown, Sheffield, S35 2PY T: 0114 257 6022 info@barberbodyart.co.uk www.barberbodyart.co.uk