You might think its super simple to take care of your new tattoo, but in complete honesty there are some important things you need to know. It is way more involved than just slapping on some cream and going about your business. For my many years I always believed the best advice was whatever your tattooist gave you, and hopefully they understood the importance of guiding you into looking after their artwork that is on your body forever, after you leave their studio. However the last few years I have noticed that not all customers are getting the right advice. Or any advice! And people are ending up with infections, reactions and extreme pain.

Inky was created to be used to nourish and protect your tattoo, but if you have just touched your dog and then put your hands in your inky jar, that is a recipe for disaster, same as any aftercare. Remember, consider where you are getting tattooed on your body, how is your body feeling, and are you in a position to keep it clean and away from bacteria. I have been tattooed over 80 times and I have seen it all. Drop outs, scarring, halo’s, swelling, and even experienced my own infection. Our DM”s are always open to discuss. And sadly it is easy for people to assume it is their aftercare, when as you see from above there are many reasons why your tattoo might be struggling to heal.

Happy Healing to you!
Brooke, Rudie, Charles and Ellie

Inky is handmade, in a sterile and eco minded studio, and goes to great lengths to create a product for you that not only HELPS heals your tattoo, but helps look after all those other little skin issues you may have, from eczema, to bites, even as a night face balm.

After you get home and depending on whether you are using a second skin like product, take off the cling wrap and give your new tattoo a nice soapy wash, removing all the excess plasma, blood and surface ink from your tattoo. Always remember to keep your tattoo clean, which means changing into clean clothing that is touching the tattoo often, clean bedding, no animals and no long soaks in the tub. Absolutely no strenuous movement that makes you sweat or puts you in a position to get hit on your new tattoo. Swimming in the beach or with chlorine will dehydrate your new tattoo, causing ink loss. Some jobs require you to be around dust and dirt, so using extra coverage while at work may be a good idea.

If a reaction does occur, then please do not use on your tattoo. A skin care reaction normally looks red, maybe little pimples around the tattoo, or can just make your tattoo feel uncomfortable. And this is the opposite of what you want for your tattoo. Patch testing first is essential.

I spent 2 years in school learning about how the skin works, what trauma looks like, and what can happen when the skin reacts. NO PRODUCT is going to be perfect for every person, and if you were to react to inky, I would always tell you to stop using it.

There are other reasons your tattoo may start to heal hard, and that is your body may not be up for the trauma, because that is what a tattoo is, trauma to the skin. And if you have been sick, or have a chronic illness, this can make things harder. I share this from experience, as I have an auto immune disease. Sometimes my body just cannot cope and it can take longer for me to heal.

Another thing to think about is, WHERE on my body am I getting tattooed? Places like your hand, feet, inside of your upper arm, arm and knee ditches are notorious for healing hard. Certain colours such as red and purple are known to be extra ouch, and many people can be allergic to these two colours and if your tattoo is heavily saturated, then these things can also cause extra pain, and tough to heal scabs. I have created our Magic oil to assist with these hard areas and the results have been amazing. Lastly needle trauma can also cause hard heals, not intentionally of course, but it certainly does happen, and if your body is not in tip top condition, or you are not keeping it clean and resting your body, it will take longer to heal.