Every tattoo artist has his/her individual 'best methods' of aftercare. They vary greatly and every tattooist will swear their way is the only and best method of care.

There is no unanimous method of aftercare. The following is my way, and what I recommend.

* After you have had your tattoo, I shall cover it up, leave your protective cover on for 2 hours, this is to protect your fresh tattoo from airbourne bacteria.

* Remove protective cover after 2 hours, run under warm water, and dab dry with unscented tissue or paper towel. Gently rub ointment into tattoo.

* For the following 2 weeks, do not go in a chlorine pool or sauna, or jacuzzi, as this may damage your tattoo. You can bathe or shower, but use common sense care.( do not stay in bath 3 hours or poise jet of shower straight onto your tattoo, waving your exfoliation brush!!) The better you look after your tattoo, the better it will heal.

* The ointment I recommend to put on your tattoo is Preperation H. , I have just found that it is fabulous, less scabbing, fast healing. If you do not wish to buy this, then i recommend Savlon. Never EVER use vaseline, as this just clogs pores and prolongs healing process. Your new tattoo needs to breathe in order to heal quickly.

* Always put ointment on sparingly. Rub in 4 times daily.

* Protective scab will form in around 2 to 3 days, and normally flake off by the 7th day. You may notice a white scaled layer on the tattoo at this time. This is a dead layer of skin and will flake off soon. It can take 3 months for skin to be totally healed, but visually your tattoo will appear healed after 2 weeks.

* You need to care for your tattoo for life, cream regularly with a moisturiser for full maintenance. The sun will fade your tattoo, but this may take years, however it is advisable to cream your tattoo with some form of sun block when on holiday, in order to keep your colours tip top.