Just my 2 cents, my artist puts on plastic film and says keep it on for 4 hours, then take it off and give it a good wash, but do NOT put any cream on for 48hours, only wash it every couple of hours. The cream he recommends to me is bepanthene, it’s a nappy rash cream, and apply it 3 times a day with a very thin layer, what I keep forgetting to ask him is for how long should I use it, but I kinda use it for three or even four weeks just to keep the skin moisturized. What do people think of that aftercare. I have had 4 tats with that artist and im happy with the out come of the tattoo. BTW I have thick skin because I got a tattoo with a different tattoo artist recently(much to my regret) and he said that I have skin like a rhino, and I have never got a skin infection either.

Wow, I guess everyone really does have their own theory on aftercare. I honestly came here because I have heard, read, and been told so many theories that I wanted to see what the people on a forum would say. Now, It’s more complicated than ever!
I think Hunter is right, you have to find out what works best for you, which is why I’m kind of glad that my first couple of tattoos, (same tat, different artists,) were kind of low rent. If I had payed a lot of money for my piece, then gone and screwed it up with inappropriate aftercare, I woulda been PISSED!
Anyway, thanks. If for nothing else, for helping me to understand that aftercare is never the same for any one person.

My artist also recommended this product as well. It’s actually called Bag Balm and can be found at your local pharmacy (Walgreens). It’s in a green (square) tin and as Vendetta indicated, it was developed for animals but works great on our skin (they have a story on their website). I will say this though, I’d preferred that the stuff had no smell at all and it certainly wasn’t made to attract the opposite sex. Just apply it, wrap it up and wash your hands really good and you’ll be all set.

[My .02]
After the ink was applied he quickly wrapped my arm in saran wrap. I went home, removed the saran wrap and washed the tattoo with dial anti-bacterial (pat dry with paper towels). Then I applied the Bag Balm ( a little goes a long way ) and loosely wrapped my arm (full half sleeve) in press-n-seal (again, artists recommendation). I noticed that the next morning I had very little loss of ink upon removal. The press-n-seal protected my clothes, bed and actually suppressed the sunburn feeling all together.

I repeated this process for the next couple of days – applying in the morning after my shower and in the evening just before crashing out. By day 3 I stopped using the press-n-seal and just applied the Bag Balm.

On day 5 I stopped using that all together and switched to Curel but noticed that it just couldn’t keep my arm moist enough (that itchy dry feeling) so I removed it and applied Burt Bee’s Body Butter (honey and shea). Been doing that since and my arm doesn’t itch at all and stays nice and moist. I’m on week two and my tattoo is all healed and I had no issues whatsoever.

This advice is from Black 13 Tattoo nashville, home of Josh Woods and Timmy B…………I follow it and it works…….just my 2 cents………….I hear so many jacked up pieces of advice, neosporin never, balms anything that can hold moisture never, I need the large pieces I get in 10 hours sessions to dry out and peel as quickly as possible

Healing for large sessions:
Bandage your tattoo with saran/plastic wrap allowing no air to get to the tattoo for the first 72 hours. Within those 72 hours remove the wrap every 4 hours and wash thoroughly with non-scented anti-bacterial soap. Re-apply wrap with new saran/plastic wrap. Repeat process for remainder of 72 hours. After 72 hours remove the wrap leaving the tattoo exposed and use an intensive care FRAGRANCE-FREE dry skin lotion such as Lubriderm. Apply lightly as needed and for as long as needed.

Healing for small sessions:
Take the bandage off when you are in a sterile environment and able to clean the area. Wash thoroughly with clean hands and non-scented anti-bacterial soap. Pat dry and apply a THIN coat of Vitamin A&D Ointment (found at most stores in the baby section) 2 to 3 times a day as needed for 3 days. After 3 days switch to a FRAGRANCE-FREE lotion such as Lubriderm. Wash the tattoo throughout the day making sure it stays clean.

Remember:
NO swimming. NO sun tanning. NO picking. Period! Sunlight fades tattoos, so after your tattoo heals keep it covered or use sunblock when you’re in the sun.

You can get it in any pharmacy in Iceland, so they must have it in the UK as well.

I just got my first last Saturday, so I’m a few days ahead of you. I had the same issue, once I switched to lotion after the first few days, I started to get some black “flakes” come off when I applied the lotion. Freaked me out, even though I knew it was supposed to be normal, and its just the surface skin flaking and peeling, which is whats supposed to happen.

Just don’t put too much on, you want to keep it moisturized a few times a day, but not lather it up with gobs of lotion. Thursday (day 5) was my itchiest day. I think I applied lotion 4 times that day. And a few little flakes came off each time. Not a lot, just a few small flakes. Don’t rub it on too hard. Nice and easy. I’m at one week today and no flaking, itching is WAY down, almost gone. Still a tiny bit of peeling around a few spots, but I’m hoping by this time next week it will be all good!

Congrats on the ink! Post a pic when you can.

No, I’m not doing multiple daily washings any longer. I just wash it carefully in the shower still (I use a non-fragranced, non-scented soap all the time), and then put on the lotion. I’m still putting lotion on about 3 times a day (still a tad itchy and flaky). Not sure when I’ll stop. I’ve gotten so used to taking care of it, you know?