Different tattoo artists may give conflicting advice about the type of cream to use and possibly about other details of the aftercare routine. While there is some aftercare advice I consider to be unhelpful, most of it is valid. There is no single "right" advice to give. Some people will find that one type of cream works much better for them than anything else, while others find that it doesn't much matter what brand they use. The basis of all good aftercare is to keep the tattoo clean and moisturised, to avoid damaging any scabs and to let them flake off naturally.

Here is the aftercare routine I recommend:

• Leave the tattoo covered with clingfilm for 3 to 12 hours. If you have had mainly lines and little or no solid colour, you can afford to uncover the tattoo after 3 hours. If you have had a lot of solid colour, leave it covered for the full 12. Don't take the clingfilm off until you are ready to wash the tattoo.
• After removing the clingfilm, rinse the tattoo clean under running water. The water should be comfortably warm but if it is hot it can feel quite painful, so take care.
• Using an unscented soap or shower gel, wash the tattoo thoroughly. Use your hand, not a wash cloth.
• Gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean towel and/or allow the tattoo to air dry.
• Apply your preferred brand of antibacterial cream or lotion to the tattoo.
• Avoid wearing clothes that are expensive or your favourites for the first couple of days. The tattoo can leak some blood and ink for a while, and this can stain clothes. The tattoo can also become stuck to your clothing. If this happens, avoid unsticking the clothing before you are ready to wash the tattoo. When it is time to wash and apply cream to the tattoo, put the area under running water, then slowly and gently remove the clothing. Try allowing the tattoo to air dry for as long as possible before putting on clean clothes, this should minimise sticking.
• Continue to wash and apply a moisturising antiseptic product to your tattoo two or three times a day (more if the tattoo gets dirty for any reason, but try not to let this happen!) until the tattoo is fully healed. This takes on average 1 to 2 weeks, but do not worry if it takes your tattoo a little longer to heal, everyone is different.
• Don't re-cover the tattoo with clingfilm or a bandage, except when this is absolutely necessary to prevent it getting dirty. Let the air get to it after the first 12 hours.
• Don't expose the tattoo to the sun until it has fully healed. Putting sun block on the tattoo does not count (and is not recommended)- you should cover the tattoo with clothing when you go out in the sun.
• NEVER Pick or scratch tattoo while it is healing- this tends to pull out some of the ink and lead to a patchy tattoo that looks bad. Also, never shave or wax the area while the tattoo is healing- this can take most of the scabs off and completely ruin the tattoo.
• Don't soak the healing tattoo until the scabs go soggy, as this can also make them come off before they are ready and lead to loss of ink. Have showers or very short baths only.
• Don't wear any item of clothing that rubs on the tattoo- waist bands, bra straps and footwear can be particularly likely to damadge the tattoo by rubbing off scabs. Wear loose fitting clothing over tattoo and be careful not to suffocate tattoo with tights etc- synthetic materials especially can stop your tattoo from breathing.