Shifty Shamrocks

Aftercare

Look after it and it looks after you

The short version of what we tell you in the chair. Anything odd, a bump, heat, or a piercing that will not settle, come in and let us look at it rather than guessing.

Tattoo

Tattoo Aftercare – Second Skin

  1. Leave it on: Keep your Second Skin dressing on for 2-3 days, provided the seal remains intact and your skin isn't irritated.
  2. Fluid is normal: A buildup of plasma, blood and excess pigment underneath the dressing is completely normal.
  3. Keep it sealed: You can shower with Second Skin, but avoid baths, swimming and soaking. If it leaks or exposes the tattoo, remove it.
  4. Removing Second Skin: Remove gently under warm running water, slowly stretching the film back along your skin rather than pulling upwards.
  5. Wash your tattoo: Use lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free soap. Pat dry with clean paper towels.
  6. Apply Tattoo Salve: Once your tattoo is clean and dry, apply a thin layer of Shifty Shamrock's Tattoo Salve as needed to keep your skin moisturised. A little goes a long way!
  7. Let it heal: Avoid scratching, picking, swimming, direct sunlight and excessive friction until fully healed. Healing usually takes 2-4 weeks. If you notice spreading redness, increasing pain or unusual discharge, seek medical advice. Any questions? Contact Shifty Shamrock's Tattoo Studio. We're always happy to help!

Tattoo

Tattoo Aftercare – Cling Film Method

  1. Remove the cling film: After 2-3 hours, carefully remove the cling film from your fresh tattoo.
  2. Wash your tattoo: Using clean hands, lukewarm water and a mild, unscented soap, gently wash away any excess blood, plasma and tattoo pigment.
  3. Pat dry: Gently pat your tattoo dry using clean paper towels. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the area.
  4. Apply Tattoo Salve: Apply a thin layer of Shifty Shamrock's Tattoo Salve to your clean, dry tattoo. A little goes a long way!
  5. Overnight protection: For larger tattoos, your artist may recommend applying fresh cling film overnight to prevent the tattoo from sticking to your bedsheets. Always use fresh, clean film and follow your artist's instructions.
  6. The following morning: Remove the cling film, gently wash your tattoo, pat dry and apply a small amount of Tattoo Salve.
  7. Larger tattoos & full colour work: Tattoos with heavy colour saturation may require washing up to 3 times daily. Your artist may recommend rewrapping with fresh cling film after cleaning for the first 2-3 days, depending on the tattoo. Only rewrap when specifically instructed.
  8. Let it heal: Avoid scratching, picking, swimming, direct sunlight and excessive friction until fully healed. Healing usually takes 2-4 weeks. If you notice spreading redness, increasing pain or unusual discharge, seek medical advice. Not sure what your tattoo needs? Every tattoo is different! Contact Shifty Shamrock's Tattoo Studio and a member of our team will be happy to guide you through the aftercare process.

Piercing

General aftercare

Cleaning

  • Wash your hands with antibacterial soap before you touch it, and do not touch, twist or play with it otherwise.
  • Clean with sterile piercing saline on a clean cotton bud. Front, then back, then a fresh bud to dry it thoroughly.
  • Twice a day for the first six to eight weeks, then once a day from the third month. After that a mild antibacterial soap in the shower is enough.
  • Do not pick off any crust.

Everyday

  • Do not sleep on a fresh piercing until it has been downsized.
  • Keep alcohol, perfume, make up, moisturiser and fake tan away from the jewellery.
  • Do not let wet hair sit on it, and check now and then that the jewellery is tight.
  • No pools, lakes or hot tubs while it heals. Natural fibres over it, and drink plenty of water.
  • Never twist it or take it out before it has fully healed. Over cleaning slows healing too.

Oral piercings

  • Brush twice a day, and rinse with a non alcoholic mouthwash after eating, smoking or drinking.
  • Avoid dairy, spicy and hot food or drink for the first week. No open mouth kissing for two weeks, and no oral sex for eight.
A blister or bump, or anything that looks infected: come and see our piercer as soon as you can, and leave the jewellery in unless we tell you to take it out. Removing it can seal an infection inside the channel.