Tattoo aftercare: the first two weeks

When you leave the studio, your new tattoo is covered with a breathable film. Leave it on overnight, or for as long as your artist says, then peel it off slowly under lukewarm running water. Wash the area with clean hands and a fragrance-free liquid wash, rinse well and pat it dry with a fresh paper towel.

For the next two weeks, wash it twice a day and apply a very thin layer of unscented balm afterwards. Thin is the key word. The skin should look slightly shiny, not greasy. Too much balm keeps the area damp, and a damp tattoo heals slowly.

Around day four or five the tattoo will start to flake and itch. This is normal. Do not scratch or pick at the flakes, however tempting. Tap the skin lightly if the itch gets bad. Wear loose cotton clothes over it, and keep it out of the sun completely until it has settled.

For two weeks, avoid swimming pools, the sea, steam rooms and long soaks in a bath. Showers are fine. Skip the gym for the first few days if the tattoo is somewhere that will rub or sweat. If the redness spreads, gets hotter or you feel unwell, see a doctor rather than waiting it out. After a month, use sunscreen on it whenever it is outdoors. Sun is what fades tattoos fastest, more than anything else.