You've just spent 5 hours in the chair and had some nice work done on your body. Your first priority should be to help it in recovering nicely and preserving the art so it can look good for a longer. Depending on the tattoo and the artist, there are a few aftercare options to consider. Your artist will be the best source of knowledge, but you have the right to ask questions. At the end of the day, it's your body art.
Typically, we at 1891 Original Tattoo Co. will apply some xxx moisturiser on the skin to protect it and aid in its healing. This will then be sealed with a layer of Second Skin. This lasts for xxx days, after which you are free to go as you please. We also recommend applying moisturiser on a regular basis for the next xxx days (we'll let you know the specifics after you get your piece).
Why Tattoo Aftercare?
A frustrating aspect of being a tattoo artist is working on a piece for hours and then seeing your work on social media a week later with sunburn or some other dumb shit that stresses the skin. This causes the healing process to take longer and the tattoo to look like shit.
Once you have a tattoo that you care about you should treat it as the work of art that it is. Allow it to recover by keeping it out of the sun for a few days, avoiding grazing or carpet burning the skin, refraining from painting it with body paint, basically, don't do dumb shit to it.
Keep in mind that aftercare is a lifelong process; if the skin where your tattoo is injured (sunburn, for example), your tattoo will be damaged while your body heals the skin. In other words, if you take care of your tattoo, it will last longer.
Tattoo Removal Options
At 1891 Original Tattoo Co. in Adelaide, There are a few reasons why a tattoo may need to be removed, but not all tattoo removals are made equal. We recommend the people at Lasertat or The Lightning Co., who are both terrific studios who know their shit. Also, don't be shocked if we tell you that you'll need some laser sessions before we begin working on that coverup you've always wanted.