So you got a tattoo from Carou! Now you need to take good care of your forever-doodle so it heals nicely. After care is as important to guarantee a good tattoo as the work of the artist. So read carefully and let me know if you have any questions (:

1.  Days 1, 2 and 3

You will leave the tattoo appointment with a wound dressing. I commonly use a medical grade adhesive bandage (Tegaderm Roll) unless you inform me of any known allergies or personal preference for cling film. You cannot leave the tattoo appointment without one of the two.

If you leave the tattoo appointment with an adhesive bandage:

If possible, keep it on for 3 days. If it comes loose or if liquid starts to get in or out of the bandage before that, remove it immediately but never rip it off in one go. Keep it under lukewarm water for a few minutes and slowly peel it off, pulling parallel to the skin.

If you have a similar adhesive bandage at home and wish to reapply it:

You can carefully do it. Wash your hands well, clean the tattoo very gently with a pH neutral, fragrance-free, antibacterial soap and apply the second skin on the tattoo. Do not keep using second skin for more than 3 days.

OR if you have clean, unused cling film at home and wish to wrap your tattoo in it:

You can carefully do it. Wash your hands well, clean the tattoo very gently with a pH neutral, fragrance-free, antibacterial soap, gently tap it dry and wrap the cling film around it. You should repeat these steps and change the cling film every 3-6h for the first 3 days. Do not keep using cling film for more than 3 days.

If you leave the tattoo appointment with cling film:

Keep the first film on for 3-4 hours. After that, wash your hands well, clean the tattoo softly with a pH neutral, fragrance-free, anti-bacterial soap and wrap it in cling film again. You should be able to do this every 3-6h for the first 3 days. Do not keep using cling film for more than 3 days.

Attention:

A build-up of ink and blood plasma under the wound dressing is normal.
Avoid intense exercise or anything that may cause excessive sweat.
No direct sun exposure or UV rays of any kind.
No water immersion. So no pool, bathtub, beach, sauna, etc.
Avoid tight clothes over the tattoo. Also avoid synthetic fabrics that might rub over the tattoo repeatedly.
Don't itch or scratch it.

2.  Day 4 and the next 2 to 3 weeks

On the 4th day, your tattoo should be healed enough that it doesn't require to be covered anymore. You will remove the adhesive bandage or cling film and follow the following care routine 2-3 times a day for the next 2 to 3 weeks:

1. Wash your hands well

2. Clean your tattoo softly with a pH-neutral, fragrance free, antibacterial soap.If needed, you can veeery gently massage your tattoo with your fingertips (don't use your nails) to remove any ink or plasma left on top of it.

3. Rinse the area well and pat it dry with paper towel or a clean towel. DO NOT RUB YOUR FRESH TATTOO!

4. Let it air dry for a few minutes

5. Apply a VERY THIN layer of tattoo-specific cream/ointment or a healing cream like Cicaplast. Please do not use regular, oily, scented moisturizer at this stage. Also, never apply a tick layer of anything to the tattoo.
   I recommend Green Vert, Cicaplast or Hustle Butter.

Attention:

Avoid intense exercise or anything that may cause excessive sweat for the first week.
No direct sun exposure or UV rays of any kind.
No water immersion. So no pool, bathtub, beach, sauna, etc.
Avoid tight clothes over the tattoo. Also avoid synthetic fabrics that might rub over the tattoo repeatedly.
Don't itch or scratch it.

3.  What to expect:

Slight redness, localized warmth and tightness during the first few days is normal.

Peeling skin and tiny scabs may form after the 4th day. This is normal. Don't pick your skin. If it's itchy, you can softly pat your skin and check if it's been too long since you last lightly moisturized the area.

A little ink might rub off during cleaning or patting it dry. Do not use your nails when cleaning. Do not rub your skin when drying. Pat it lightly with a kitchen paper or clean towel. Then apply a light layer of moisturizer.

4.  When to seek medical advice:

If you experience severe pain on the tattoo
If the redness doesn't dissipate in the first few days and starts spreading
If you experience persistent warmth
If your swelling doesn't go down after the first few days and/or starts spreading
If you have thick or foul-smelling discharge from the tattoo
If you have a fever
Please get in touch with your GP as soon as possible. If it's after-hours, in Amsterdam, you should get in touch with the Huisartsenposten Amsterdam. Find the one closest to you here: https://huisartsenpostenamsterdam.nl/en/