At Hidden Moon we want to make sure that your tattoo has the best chance of healing perfectly, so please take the time to carefully read through the following instructions:

Cling wrap:

It is recommended that you keep your cling wrap on for 2-3 hours, at which point it is best to remove it in the shower using plain hot water to clean thoroughly. Once clean, do not soak the tattoo in the shower for too long and hop out soon after, as excessive moisture is not good for the tattoo in the early stages of healing. You will need to keep your showers relatively short during the healing process.

Let your tattoo air dry rather than using a towel (due to abrasion and potential bacteria) and apply either pure jojoba oil (recommended) or Bepanthin antiseptic cream only once it is completely dry.

How frequently you should be applying the oil or cream may vary slightly from person to person depending on your individual skin and how dry it gets, but generally 2-3 times a day is the recommended amount. The best rule of thumb is to apply the oil/cream only when the tattoo is completely dry. If there is even a thin layer of moisture or slight shine on the surface you do not need to re-apply, but keep the oil/cream on you at all times and check your tattoo regularly to see if it needs another thin layer applied in order to prevent it from drying out, which can subsequently lead to premature flaking of scabs.

Second skin:

Second skin is a self-adhesive that acts like a protective barrier for your tattoo and allows it to heal without the need for additional aftercare products. Some artists in the shop will recommend and apply this for you while others won’t, depending on the style of tattoo and individual circumstances of the client. Usually you can leave this on for several days, however if heavy black has been used in your tattoo, you may need to remove it after 1-2 days due to potential bleeding and pooling of ink and plasma under the Second skin. If you notice any redness or excessive plasma/blood under the second skin, remove immediately. If irritation persists, contact your artist and/or a medical professional as some people have allergic reactions to adhesive.

When it’s time to remove the second skin, do this in the shower and clean it properly and thoroughly with plain hot water. Do not let the tattoo soak in the shower for too long – once it’s nice and clean, hop out and let the tattoo air dry without using a towel.

Antiseptic aftercare recommendations:

Each artist in the shop has a slightly different set of instructions to heal their own work, however most artists at Hidden Moon generally recommend using pure jojoba oil as the number one choice for aftercare. Jojoba oil is a natural antiseptic, which means it will nourish and moisturise your skin whilst also protecting it from potential bacteria which could lead to an infection. Most clients love jojoba oil as it has a really nice scent, glides onto the skin without thick residue, and is a 100% natural and vegan option. You can purchase this at any Priceline or Chemist Warehouse but please make sure there are no added ingredients when buying.

Another more traditional aftercare option is Bepanthen Antiseptic Cream. Although effective in providing protection from bacteria with its strong antiseptic qualities, Bepanthen has a thicker cream-like consistency which means if you choose this option you will need to be mindful to not apply too much to the tattoo. All you are looking for is a slight sheen on the surface of the skin rather than a thick layer, so start with a small pea-sized amount and go from there. You can purchase Bepanthen from the medical section of any supermarket, however please be sure to grab the right one as there are a few different kinds – the correct one to purchase is Bepanthen Antiseptic Cream which comes in a completely blue box with white writing. Please note that Bepanthen is not vegan as it contains lanolin derived from sheep glands, and the brand is also owned by a big pharma company.

There are a range of other various tattoo aftercare products on the market that can also be great options but if you are planning to use something different, please make sure to run this by your artist first, as they may want to check the ingredients.