A tattoo is of course a rather drastic permanent change to your body, which is why it is very important to have it done safely, to take good care of it. That way you will have a lifetime of pleasure from your new work of art. Read below everything you need to know before getting a tattoo:
Since January 2022, the European REACH regulation has been in force for tattoo and permanent make-up inks, laid down in EC Regulation 1907/2006 and its restriction EU 2020/2081, supplemented by the applicable NEN standards.
These regulations led to the banning and reformulation of many previously common dyes.
We work exclusively with inks that fully comply with these laws and regulations.
However, based on our professional experience, we note that since this change, colored inks in particular are less stable and less predictable in healing, hue and durability. In addition, sufficient long-term research on the behavior of these new dyes in the skin is currently lacking.
Therefore, only for black and shade tattoos can we guarantee the same quality and durability that we expect from our work. For colored tattoos, we cannot currently offer these guarantees. We consider transparency and quality essential and communicate about this consciously and honestly.
Links to all documentation (Material Safety Data Sheets and/or Technical Data Sheets) of our tattoo dyes can be found in a database below:
Tattooing can involve risks. Therefore, make sure you are well rested and have eaten enough. Inform the artist of any medication use or skin problems/skin damage, skin that has recently been exposed to plastic surgery or radiotherapy, allergies, epilepsy, hypersensitivity reactions, pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding, as all of these can negatively affect healing and increase the risk of complications. Skin that has been recently tattooed or lasered but has not yet healed can also increase the risk of complications.
Never have a tattoo applied when you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, also do not have a tattoo applied on birthmarks or in areas where there is scar tissue as a result of removed skin cancer. If alcohol or drug use is suspected, your tattoo will not be applied.
Also, you should not get a tattoo (or only under a doctor's approval) if you have any of the following conditions:
- Hemophilia or other blood clotting diseases.
- epilepsy or cardiovascular disease.
- certain allergies to metals, preservatives or other substances used in tattooing.
- diabetes.
- autoimmune disorder.
- immune-compromised diseases.
- sarcoidosis.
We see more and more people who want to tattoo with numbing creams, but we are not in favor of this. This is because the active ingredients in these creams (lidocaine, prilocaine and sometimes adrenaline) work to constrict blood vessels, which can affect the skin. This is not necessarily a problem in regular procedures such as a blood draw or injection, but it is when applying a tattoo.
Because of this, we cannot guarantee the final result of your tattoo, so in most cases we will refuse to place it.
The tattoo is coated by the tattoo artist with a polyurethane wound film with an adhesive layer (second skin/second skin). The film can remain in place for 4 to 7 days respectively. This allows the tattoo to heal in its own wound fluid, this is an ideal wound environment for subtle healing.
After 4 to 7 days, follow the following aftercare instructions:
- Always wash your hands before touching the film or tattoo. Do this with a hypoallergenic, mild soap (pump bottle, no soap block).
- Carefully remove the wound film or plaster spray and then wash the tattoo with again hypoallergenic, mild soap.
- Always rinse the soap carefully but thoroughly.
- Dry the tattoo by gently dabbing with clean kitchen paper (then use this roll only for the tattoo after this), or use a soft cloth that does not leave lint behind. You can also choose to let the tattoo air dry.
- After drying the tattoo, lubricate it (with clean hands) with a hypoallergenic aftercare ointment recommended by the tattoo artist.
- The tattoo should not be reconnected with a film.
- Repeat the process of washing and rubbing the tattoo 2 to 3 times a day until the skin has recovered (2 to 3 weeks on average). Make sure you always have clean hands and that the tattoo does not dry out during healing, frequently apply thin layers of aftercare ointment.
During healing, it is important to pay attention to the following things:
- Do not bathe, swim or go to the sauna until the tattoo has healed.
- Stay out of direct sunlight for 2 months. If this fails, you can apply sunscreen with high protection factor to the tattoo after it heals.
- Always wear clean clothing over the tattoo during healing.
- Stay away from the tattoo, do not scratch if it itches or peels off.
- Skin disinfectants can interfere with proper healing, antibiotics can induce allergies or induce resistance to antibiotics. Use only on the advice of a physician.
Explanation of signs of normal healing and signs of infection or allergies:
- you may notice (a lot of) wound fluid or excess ink coming off the tattoo, this is normal.
- you may see redness on and around the area where the tattoo is, this is normal.
- You may observe mild swelling on and around the area; this is normal.
- You may experience fever or chills after tattooing for the first 12 hours after putting on the tattoo, this is normal. If this persists it may be a sign of infection.
- If the tattoo continues to leak wound fluid after an extended period of time, or yellowish pus-like fluid comes out, it may be a sign of infection.
- if the tattoo develops an unpleasant odor, it may be a sign of infection.
- if you notice an increase in painful redness, an increasing throbbing or burning sensation, difficulty moving the tattooed body part or flared red lines across the skin, this may be a sign of infection.
If you have a possible infection you should always contact a doctor immediately. Also, always inform your tattoo artist. Persons with certain conditions should be extra careful as they have a higher risk of wound infection.
If you have an allergic reaction you should immediately stop using all products on the tattoo and contact a doctor. In case of an allergic reaction, you should also inform your tattoo artist, as they are advised to document this.