Shades of Blak Studios

We Strive for Excellence

We are proud to have partnered with a dedicated team of medical professionals, including Doctors, Nurses, and Medical Aestheticians, to elevate the standards of both conventional and medical tattooing. Together, we are redefining this ancient art form by prioritizing hygiene, safety, and innovation. Our mission is to provide you with a relaxing transformative experience in a meticulously clean and supportive environment. By leveraging the expertise of our medical collaborators, we set new benchmarks in tattooing today, including comprehensive tattoo care instructions to ensure a smooth tattoo healing process.

How important is the aftercare of your Tattoo?

It’s well known that the tattoo healing process can be unpleasant in some cases: pain, itchiness, inflammation, irritability, and flaking are just a few of the side effects your skin will endure during this time. Following proper tattoo care instructions and incorporating a skin and body care routine that promotes soothing relief and skin barrier support will be the key to longevity, bright colors, dark blacks, and detail retention.

What type of soap do I use, do cleaning ingredients matter?

Yes, but most importantly, what works best for you? Do you have sensitive skin, any allergies, or are you on any medication? From the beginning of the tattoo healing process to months after it has healed, even tribal tattooing can be damaged over time with excessive sun exposure and improper care. Each ingredient in your tattoo care instructions should serve a purpose: soothe, moisturize, promote elasticity, help boost the skin’s ability to regenerate, and increase ink vibrancy and longevity. Organic ingredients are often better tolerated by even the most sensitive skin, while products heavy on petroleum can slow down the healing rate and even cause irritation by clogging the pores.

How long until it's fully healed? The tattoo healing process can typically take the dermis part of your skin up to 28 days to fully regenerate, depending on the size and style of your tattoo. Heavily saturated tattoos will always take longer to heal because they cause more stress to your skin.

**Days 1-2**

The tattooed area will be sterilized and sealed with a medical bandage (Tagaderm - M3) when the session is finished. You should also ask your artist for specifics about how long to wait to remove your bandage, as not all cases are the same.

While the bandage is on, your body will exude fluids for two to three days after your session. This fluid is plasma, which is normal; your body's natural response will help heal the wound even faster. Your skin could also be inflamed, sensitive to touch, and might feel slightly warm.

**Days 3-8**

With clean hands, remove the bandage on day three and wash the tattoo with warm water and antibacterial fragrance-free soap. DO NOT use a washcloth, as they can harbor bacteria. By now, the tattoo will have a duller appearance because your skin is healing and preparing to peel. It's essential to follow proper tattoo care instructions by keeping the area clean; please don't pick at your skin and keep it moisturized at all times.

Wash your tattoo twice a day and apply the ointment given by your artist. Peeling will start around days four to five. Just like a sunburn, our skin can go through two stages of peeling. Be patient and keep following the instructions; do not stop moisturizing.

(Use mineral oils for faster removal of adhesives; remember to always pull down the bandage against your skin for best results and to prevent irritation and skin tears from the adhesive.) If you notice any abnormal skin irritation during the first three days, please get in touch with us. Meanwhile, you can use tea tree oil and witch hazel to help your skin. The key is to be proactive.

**Days 9-14**

At this point, your skin may feel very itchy. Gently rub on soothing gel or any moisturizer several times a day to relieve the itch. If your tattoo is still red and swollen at this point, you may have an infection. Please call us ASAP.

**Days 15 to 30**

In this last stage of healing, most of the big flakes will be gone, and if there were any scabs, they should be resolving. You might still see some dead skin, but it should eventually clear up too. The tattooed area might still look dry and dull. Keep using the tattoo lotions advised until the skin looks perfect again, with no raised lines or areas over your tattoo. These raised lines indicate that your skin is not fully healed yet; it can take up to a month, taking into account your overall health condition. (In some cases, an inexperienced tattoo artist can cause this type of damage! However, some ethnicities and health conditions can also affect the healing process.)

By the third week, the outer layers of skin should have healed. It may take months for the lower layers to completely heal. By the end of your second month, the tattoo should look as bright and vivid as the artist intended.

Moisturization:

Continue applying a thin layer of lotion 1-3 times daily as part of your tattoo care instructions to prevent dryness. If the area feels tight or itchy, you may apply more lotion to ease discomfort.

Avoid Water Immersion and Sweat:

Do not soak the area in pools, hot tubs, or baths until fully healed (approximately two weeks) as it is crucial for the tattoo healing process. Excessive sweating or activities that irritate the site should also be avoided during this period.

Protection from Sunlight:

Avoid sun exposure entirely until the area is healed. Even after healing, for the first couple of months, use a strong SPF to prevent fading of the pigment, whether color or black.

Monitoring for Infection:

Watch for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or unusual discharge. If symptoms appear, consult your healthcare provider immediately.

Long-term Maintenance:

Regularly moisturize the tattooed area to maintain pigment vibrancy. For those engaging in activities like swimming, apply a barrier ointment (e.g., petroleum jelly) over the area to shield it from chlorine.

We must emphasize the importance of hydration and the avoidance of physical stressors on the treated area to promote healing and retain the tattoo’s appearance over time. For personalized instructions, always refer to the specific guidelines provided by your practitioner.