For the aftercare instructions, I like keeping it simple and I stick to what I know works perfectly fine! So I recommend you do the same 🙂 

Get a bar of antibacterial soap ( I recommend Unicura) and an aftercare cream ( I recommend Bepanthene tattoos or babies) 

• Keep the plastic foil for 3 hours.
• Remove the foil and wash firm but gently with water and soap. Dry using paper towels.
• The first day water and soap is enough, no need to apply cream yet.
• Starting the second day, wash the tattoo 2 or even 3 times a day and apply a thin layer of cream after (don’t drown it in cream! A thin layer is enough to keep it hydrated)

In 2-3 weeks the tattoo should be mostly healed, but I encourage you to keep applying cream to it, even if it’s just once a day. 

Things to avoid:

Treat your fresh tattoo as if it was an open wound (because that is what it basically is). That means keep it clean, avoid scratching it, don’t wear jewelry on top of it, be careful when putting on your clothes, etc. 

Avoid swimming and exposing your tattoo to sunlight for the first couple weeks. Once it’s healed, if you are going to be out in the sun, you’re encouraged to apply a high factor sunscreen on your tattoo to keep it protected and fresh looking for years to come.

A lot of sweat on it is also not recommended, so avoid the sauna, intense workouts, etc.

While your tattoo is fresh (ESPECIALLY the first few days) avoid playing sports and working out. Putting strain on the part of your body that has a fresh tattoo, can cause it to inflame and the linework of your tattoo is even at risk of expanding a bit. Better safe than sorry, give your body some rest and let your tattoo heal properly 🙂