AFTERCARE

These are Understairs Ink's official guidelines for caring for your tattoo, both immediately after your session and in the long term, to help you achieve the best possible results. Please read through carefully and follow each step as advised.

If you have any questions or concerns at any point, feel free to reach out. We're here to help.

INITIAL CARE

Remove the initial cover within 1-2 hours after your session.

DIRECTIONS:

Upon removal, wash gently with unscented antibacterial soap and lukewarm water using clean hands.
We recommend using brands such as QV, Dermaveen or Cetaphil in bar or liquid.
Avoid applying the soap directly to the tattoo, use your hands to make the soap sudsy and wash gently for about a minute to remove residue.
Rinse and air dry. Do not dry with hand towel. You can pat dry with a clean paper towel if necessary.
Once dry, apply a thin layer of unscented barrier cream such as Bepanthen, Hustle Butter or Ink Nurse, gently patting over the tattoo until evenly distributed.

PLEASE NOTE

If your artist has applied 'Second Skin' adhesive bandage to your tattoo, skip this section and go directly to the Second Skin tab located above.

EXTENDED CARE

Overall, it can take approximately 3-6 months for the deeper layers of skin to completely heal after a tattoo.

ADVICE

Throughout this period we advise clients to keep the skin well moisturised and clean with their products of choice. While we generally advise products without fragrance to minimise irritation, that decision is at your own discretion.
Avoid direct impact.
Gently exfoliate the skin on occasion to prevent ingrown hairs as the hair starts to grow back in.
DO NOT pick ingrown hairs as it can damage the skin and impact the quality of your tattoo.
Avoid any chemical exfoliants.
While we advise against overexposure to the sun to prevent fading, we highly recommend the regular and prolonged use of sunscreen, specifically SPF 50+ to ensure your tattoo remains in its best condition longterm.
At this point, your tattoo can be submerged in water without concern of damaging the design.

HEALING GUIDE

The initial healing process for a tattoo can take roughly 2-3 weeks dependant on the individual or tattoo.

As outlined in Initial Care, cleanse your tattoo morning and evening followed by barrier cream application.

DIRECTIONS

DO NOT apply cream more than 3 times per day, as it can suffocate the skin and impede the healing process. We want the skin to be hydrated not wet.
DO NOT apply any other creams, oils or sprays on the area during this period.
DO NOT submerge or soak your tattoo in water. This includes but not limited to no baths, pools, saunas, rivers or the ocean. You can shower with your tattoo, but allow the water to run over the tattoo and avoiding long periods in which the tattoo saturated.
DO NOT re-bandage the tattoo.
Avoid the gym or rigorous exertion during this period, as excessive sweating can increase the risk for bacteria growth and infection.
Avoid direct sunlight on the tattoo during this period, as your skin is in a compromised state and can fade the tattoo. Keep the area shaded, as you can not apply any zinc or sunscreen onto the area at this time. If the area becomes sunburnt during this period, not only is it damaging to the skin but can cause warping, fading and blurring.
Avoid tight or restrictive clothing.
Ensure any clothes or fabrics coming into contact with your tattoo are clean and hygienic.
DO NOT lean or rest your tattoo against unsanitary surfaces. Remember, your tattoo is an open wound, and can pick up bacteria from cross contamination so remain mindful and diligent.
DO NOT pick, itch or scratch the tattoo in any manner. When healing, tattoos can become itchy. While you can gently pat or press the tattoo with clean hands to alleviate irritation, we highly advise to leave it alone completely and allow the itching to subside.
Nearing the end of this period you may experience 'milky skin' where a layer of dry, dead skin forms completely over the tattooed area making the colours appear milky / silvery or dull. This is normal and will subside consistent care.

SECOND SKIN

'Second Skin' refers to a medical-grade, transparent, adhesive barrier that is designed protect new tattoos. It is latex-free, waterproof, breathable, and hypoallergenic. While 'Second Skin' refers to a particular brand of adhesive bandage, other similar products such as 'Saniderm' or 'Tegaderm' refer to the same type of product and should be treated the same unless otherwise specified by your artist.

Your artist may choose to wrap your tattoo in this product. If so, please refer directly to these instructions instead of the 'Initial Care' section and after removal proceed onwards with the standard Healing guide and Extended care instructions.

GUIDELINES

Once the film is applied to the tattooed area, leave the film on for the following four days after your session.
Avoid vigorous sweating during this period, such as extensive exercise or saunas.
Do not submerge the bandage in water, but it is safe to shower with.

REMOVE THE BANDAGE IMMEDIATELY IF THE SEAL HAS BROKEN

If fluids leak from the edges of the bandage, or water is able to penetrate beneath the bandage.
If the bandage as been pierced or broken in anyway.
If the bandage peels and is exposing your tattoo.
If the skin beneath the bandage seems to be overly sore or irritated.

REMOVAL

We recommend removing your film in the shower as it is easier to keep consistent running water over the surface area.
Under running water, grab an edge of the bandage from the top and begin to slowly film in a downwards motion away from the skin.
On particularly soft areas of skin, as you remove the film with on hand, use the other hand to hold the skin taut to make the process more comfortable and to avoid irritation.
Dispose of the adhesive bandage.
Upon removal, wash gently with unscented antibacterial soap and lukewarm water using clean hands. We recommend using brands such as QV, Dermaveen or Cetaphil in bar or liquid. Avoid applying the soap directly to the tattoo, use your hands to make the soap sudsy and wash gently for about a minute to remove residue.
Work slowly but try to remove as much adhesive as possible
DO NOT use anything abrasive to scrub the tattoo.
If some adhesive remains, it is okay. Just try to cleanse it away with future washes.
Rinse and air dry. Do not dry with hand towel. You can pat dry with a clean paper towel if necessary.
Once dry, apply a thin layer of unscented barrier cream such as Bepanthen, Hustle Butter or Ink Nurse, gently patting over the tattoo until evenly distributed.
Proceed with standard healing guide procedure.

PLEASE NOTE:

The appearance of dark or cloudy fluid under the bandage is normal (if the bandage is completely sealed and unbroken) and is a culmination of excess ink, blood and plasma that is builds up during the healing process. This will be washed away upon removal.
The bandage may appear blurry or bubbly, again this is normal and due to fluid buildup.
When you remove the bandage, you may notice an imprint of the tattoo visible on the film. This is excess ink on the surface of your skin, not the tattoo itself and no need for concern.

WARNINGS

If you have any concerns or unease about your tattoo or the healing process, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Understairs Ink team or your artist directly. We're here to ease your mind and make sure your tattoo experience remains a positive one from start to finish.

While we aim to provide the highest level of care and support to every client, Understairs Ink is not liable for any adverse reactions or unexpected complications that may occur during the healing process. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for more details.

Our aftercare guidelines are based on what we’ve found delivers the best long-term results. However, we acknowledge that different artists and studios may have slightly different recommendations. Ultimately, how you care for your tattoo is at your discretion, but following proper aftercare is key proper healing and lasting work.

It’s important to recognise when something isn’t quite right. While mild discomfort and scabbing are normal, the following symptoms may indicate infection or an adverse reaction. If you experience any of the below, we strongly recommend seeing a doctor and contacting your artist.

SIGNS

Fever or chills can be a sign of infection. Seek medical attention immediately.
Prolonged redness. While redness is normal for a few days, if it continues or worsens, it may be a concern.
Oozing or pus. Excessive fluid discharge beyond 2–3 days post-tattoo may indicate infection.
Swollen or puffy skin. While raised skin after tattooing is normal, but excessive swelling or rashes in surrounding areas could signal an allergic reaction.
Severe itching or hives. This may also suggest an allergic response.
Scarring. While some scabbing is part of healing, signs of scarring include raised skin, lingering redness, distorted colours, or pitted skin.

PLEASE TO REFER TO YOUR DOCTOR FOR CARE AND FURTHER MEDICAL ADVICE.