TATTOO AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS | DAY BY DAY
When it comes to the tattoo recovery process, the rate of tattoo healing can vary depending on the condition of the skin and the specific area of the body. Each area of skin has a different degree of sensitivity, which contributes to the recovery process of a fresh tattoo. It is important to note, that the recovery process also varies from person to person, as a person's health, immune function,  skin condition and skin type can be very different from one another, so don't compare your recovery process to one of your tattooed friends.

DAY BEFORE GETTING A TATTOO:
Before getting a tattoo eat a nutritious meal and avoid alcohol and coffee for 24 hours prior also make sure you have a good nights sleep all these thing will boost your immune system, so it has its best healing capacity. It is also beneficial to exfoliate the area to be tattooed with a body scrub to remove the expiring skin cells on the top layer as this will reduce peeling during the healing process. Following the procedure, it is important to acknowledge that you now have an open wound and your skin has been through trauma. This calls for diligent aftercare to prevent infection, scarring and to make sure that your artwork heals to perfection, for long lasting beautiful skin art. Also continue to look after your health through you food, sleep habits and water intake so your immune system has the best chance of doing its job efficiently.

DAY 1 AFTER GETTING A TATTOO:
As soon as you get tattooed, the traditional process is to come home with plastic wrap covering the wound. After removing the wrap, you might see leaking liquids, this is normal and expected. The liquid is a mixture of plasma, blood, and extra ink, when your skin is injured the plasma is sent to the surface of the skin, to be utilized for its clotting properties. It oozes through the injury, creating a barrier and is your bodies natural healing mechanism. It is important that you gently wash the excess plasma off the skin with Aftercare Collective antibacterial Tattoo Foam or a very gentle soapy water.  Leaving the plasma on the skin will create scabs and although these scabs are the perfect way to not allow bacteria in and is natures natural bandaid, they aren’t what we want on our healing artwork.After you have cleaned the area pat it dry and apply a very small amount of Aftercare Collective Tattoo Balm. Our balm is packed with all the right constituents to take over the healing process……without the scabs!

Be extra attentive to your tattoo on the first day, rewash the area every 3 hours pat dry and reapply balm straight after. It is also important to keep the area hydrated in between washes, so pay close attention to when you see it drying out and top with micro doses of balm. During this process leave the are free to breath without any wrap. 

DAY 2 & 3 AFTER A TATTOO:
On your second day, you will see the colour of your tattoo becoming dull. It looks dull because your skin is going through the recovery process. Your body is producing new skin cells and getting ready to shed the old ones on top. Once the skin is fully healed, you will see the tattoo, in all its glory. You may see some scabs forming whatever you do, DO NOT pick at the scabs let them do their thing and they will fall off on their own with freshly healed skin underneath to be revealed.Washing your tattoo at least in the morning and evening will speed up your recovery process, prevent further scabbing and reduce your risk of infection. If you can get in a midday wash please do so, this will help immensely. Our tattoo foam is perfect for aftercare on the go just pump some on, swirl it around in circular motions and wipe off, then apply a small amount of balm. Aim to apply balm three to four times a day. You only need a small amount just enough for a thin layer over the top. Do not excessively apply, more is not better! Your skin needs to breath and if you oversaturate it, your skin might have a hard time doing that.

In addition to this keep your body hydrated with a good water intake and eat nutritious meals, so your body has all the goodness to repair itself.

DAY 4 - 7 AFTER A TATTOO:
On your fourth day, you will see any redness and swelling has gone and  you will start to notice peeling, this is normal as your old skin desquamates  for fresh new skin to come through. This can create an itch sensation, try not to scratch and cause further skin trauma, gently pat the are and apply a small amount of tattoo balm as this will prevent the itch.You may still see slight abrasions around your tattoo area, try your best not to pick any scabs, it is super important! Picking a scab will pull colour out, expose the tattoo to infection and can result in permanent scars. If there is any weird redness, heat or swelling arising from the area, consult your tattoo artist. Apply Tattoo balm at least twice a day and after washing the area to speed up the recovery process and prevent it from drying out. Aftercare collective Tattoo balm has properties that speed up skin cell turn over so if you keep up with your aftercare routine you will see that any peeling will resolve very quickly so you can show off your new tattoo ASAP!

DAY 7 - 14 AFTER A TATTOO:
Any scabs become hard and begin to fall off by themselves. Do not peel them off on your own this can leave a permanent scar. Your skin may still have a slight itch as the last skin cells keep turning over, keep applying tattoo balm a couple of times a day to ease the process and counteract any uncomfortable symptoms of healing. By the end of the fourteenth day, almost all flakes will have disappeared.

DAY 15 - 30 AFTER A TATTOO:
Now that you have reached the point where you see your tattooed area completely recovered from the outside, you should remember that the bottom layer of your skin still needs some recovery. Apply Tattoo balm daily morning and night to keep delivering the  nutrients necessary for optimal healing.. The skin can still look dry and you’ll  need to keep it hydrated, so remember to keep hydrating  with tattoo balm at least once a day your best time is probably straight after a shower when your skin is clean.  By the end of the third week you will see the tattoo become vibrant as all layers of the skin have repaired. 

THINGS TO AVOID
DURING THE TATTOO RECOVERY PROCESS

Avoid unnecessarily touching the tattooed skin area

Avoid wearing clothing that may cause excessive rubbing to the area during the recovery process

Avoid exposure to the sun, especially in the first month after getting a new tattoo

Avoid submerging the area of your tattooed skin in water for at least 2 weeks

Avoid touching the area of your skin, even if it is itchy, applying 
Tattoo Balm will help alleviate itchiness