Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

WASH YOUR HANDS!! Prior to ANY contact on or near the area of your healing Tattoo! Leave the Tattoo alone, except for when you are applying aftercare balm, and do not let others touch your healing Tattoo!


Make sure your bedding is clean and changed frequently whilst you are healing. Your Tattoo can stick to the sheets and leave ink residue overnight, this is normal. If you sleep with an animal, please ensure they sleep on top of the covers, as you don’t want any foreign bacteria, hair or fur sticking to your healing wound. Make sure you keep your children and your pets, and any little germ-y hands away from your healing Tattoo.


Using the correct aftercare is essential to promote the fast healing and efficient healing of your new Tattoo, this is why we provide you with Numb Skulled Premium Tattoo Aftercare Balm. You’re at the beginning of a healing process that will likely last anywhere from 2-3 weeks, and you’ll need to take special care of your new Tattoo during this time to ensure it looks its best once it is healed.

Keep hydrated - it keeps your skin moist and healthy. Eat good foods, add more protein to your diet and lots of fruit and green veggies - if your body is healthy your healing will be much better.

Your new Tattoo is an open wound and you’ll need to treat it accordingly.

Within 2-4 hours, wash your hands and remove the protective cling film from your Tattoo. You need to give your Tattoo a gentle wash using warm water and liquid soap or body wash, preferably fragrance-free. Only use your hand to do this, no loofahs or scratchy sponges, and don’t use hot water - warm or cold water only. Give your Tattoo a thorough gentle clean to remove any fluid build up and ink residue. Don’t be alarmed if the water runs dirty - you are not removing any ink from your Tattoo.

Always pat your Tattoo dry with a clean fresh towel after a shower, to prevent any bacteria entering the healing wound. ALWAYS PAT, never rub as this will remove the delicate scab layer and pull ink from the healing wound.

THIS IS THE ONLY TIME YOU SHOULD WASH YOUR TATTOO IN THIS WAY.

Now you must avoid soaking in water until your Tattoo is fully healed, this also includes being careful in the shower. Do not apply aftercare balm tonight, you never want to go to bed with a sticky Tattoo - you will start your aftercare balm tomorrow.

With clean hands, you can now apply your aftercare balm once per day. Bear in mind that you never want your healing Tattoo to be too moist, and always only apply a thin layer. Don’t smother your new Tattoo in cream, it also needs to be able to breathe.

Your aftercare balm should never be applied directly to your healing tattoo, it should always be applied to your clean fingers and warmed first, then gently dabbed onto your Tattoo. Do not rub your aftercare into your healing Tattoo as you will disturb the healing scab layer and risk damaging your Tattoo before it has even healed, dab only.

Always let your skin dry out for a minimum of one hour between a shower and applying your aftercare balm. Your skin must be dry before applying aftercare balm, never apply it to wet skin. Always try to avoid getting your Tattoo wet if at all possible.

Tattoos will scab and this is completely normal. You may just peel and flake similar to sunburn.

Everyone heals differently and if you have any questions - reach out to your Artist. But generally this healing process takes 2-3 weeks for most people.

Don’t apply Bepanthen, or any other petroleum based products or antibiotic ointments, gels or creams on your new Tattoo, as these prevent Oxygen from reaching the wound, and form a sticky residue which can cause complications. They are not designed for use on healing Tattoos or puncture wounds, and can cause itching, tingling, welts or pimple-like spots in or around your new Tattoo.

Don’t use a bandage on your healing Tattoo, they limit air circulation and can soak up fluids and stick to your Tattoo.

NO swimming!! No soaking, no swimming, no pools, no spas and no beaches - no getting your Tattoo wet until it is fully healed! Chlorine and sea-salt can leach colour and dry out the tender skin around your new Tattoo. Don’t soak in the bath, as this can over-moisten your Tattoo and allow bacteria to penetrate the unhealed wound.

Avoid exposing your new Tattoo to direct sunlight, this will lead to fading and you could easily burn the unhealed skin.

Don’t pick at your scabs, and don’t scratch, itch or rub your new Tattoo. Allow any scabs or flaking or peeling skin to come away naturally on its own. If you pull them off it will cause colour loss, it will damage your Tattoo and it could cause serious infection or scarring.

Wear appropriate clothing whilst your new Tattoo is in the healing stages. Wool irritates, tight fitting clothing irritates. Use common sense and be careful with things like socks and shoes rubbing on your healing wound. Wear light loose clothing that won’t stick to your Tattoo. Don’t wear tight clothing or accessories directly on your healing Tattoo (ie, tight waist bands/bra straps/watches).

Be careful with exercise and no excessive sweating, definitely no rough contact sports. Be extra careful at the gym, take a towel with you and make sure equipment has been wiped prior to using it. Remember your Tattoo is an OPEN WOUND until it is fully healed.

Do not shave or wax your healing Tattoo during the entire healing process, and not for at least a week afterwards. You will remove the top layer of your healing Tattoo and cause scarring or serious infection.

We cannot and will not be held liable for infection of your new Tattoo. Everything at Greg Campbell Tattoo is done to the strictest of hygiene standards and you have been provided with thorough written and verbal instructions, as well as complimentary Numb Skulled Premium Aftercare Balm. Once you leave our premises - the hygiene and aftercare is all on you!

Touch ups/second passes are at the discretion of the artist only, and are not free. If it is confirmed that a touch up is needed, it will be at a date and time that suits your Artists busy pre-booked schedule.

ANY QUESTIONS - feel free to contact us! No question is a silly question!