
Looking After Your Tattoo
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To ensure you get the best out of your new tattoo, you need to make sure that you listen to, and follow the advice given to you by your tattooer. These will include the following:
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Two to three hours after being tattooed, remove the bandage from your tattoo, wash the tattoo in clean, warm running water using mild soap. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
Once the tattoo has been cleaned, start applying the recommended cream.
Only use creams recommended by your tattooer for healing, but do not overuse. We recommend Bepanthen antiseptic cream. Use for only two weeks.
When you feel the skin is drying out, apply recommended cream and massage in well using freshly cleaned hands. Repeat as necessary to keep the tattoo only very slightly moist. Generally three times a day is adequate. Do not let your tattoo dry out!
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After the initial bleeding of the tattoo has stopped, do not reapply a bandage or plastic wrap.
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Do not swim in chlorinated or salt water until healed. Soaking a new tattoo in any type of water will degrade the newly formed scab, prolonging the healing time and most likely causing damage to your tattoo.
Do not rub, pick or scratch at a new tattoo as this will slow healing time and may lead to secondary infections.
Do not wear tight or dirty clothing over the tattoo, unless advised differently by you tattooer.Do not sunbathe, use tanning beds or apply fake tan while your tattoo is healing.
Return to the tattooist as advised or if having problems.
If the tattooed area becomes excessively irritated, itchy, red or sore, consult your doctor and tattooist.
Risks
The risks when getting a tattoo can come from many factors:
These include, but are not limited to, cross contamination, unsafe procedures, medical conditions and incorrect healing procedure.
These have the potential to spread diseases and infections such as hepatitis and hiv.
If you have any concerns about your procedure, or want any further information about the risks involved, ask your tattooer or visit the department of health, online at www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas.
To comply with the health departments health regulations we achieve the following:
- The shop is clean and hygienic.
- A ‘certificate of registration’ is be available for viewing.Instruments used to pierce the skin are sterilised.
- The tattooer will not have exposed cuts or wounds and presents in clean condition.
- If you have any queries, you are welcome to ask them what sterile or new equipment they use. And if they reuse, how they sterilise their equipment.
- We will wear disposable gloves for each client.
- New ink containers will be used for each client.
In Victoria it is against the law to tattoo any person under the age of 18 years, even with parental consent.
If you are over 18 years of age, the decision to get a tattoo is your personal choice.
But remember a tattoo is a lifelong change to your body image.
Some tattoos can be surgically removed, but this is expensive, time consuming, and sometimes leaves scarring.
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Your new tattoo is a work of art, and it deserves proper care to ensure it looks great long after healing. That's why following the above aftercare tips will help you maintain your tattoo's vibrancy and appearance.
With the right care, your tattoo will look amazing for years to come.
Explicit Ink Aftercare Balm
Here at Explicit Ink Tattoo Studio, we make our very own, in-house, high quality, all natural, vegan friendly, tattoo aftercare salve!
It's unique design allows for easy, no mess application to your fresh tattoo, saving time and reducing oily fingers!
Get yourself a tube when you come in for your next tattoo or click the link below to go to our online shop to purchase.


Because we want to give our clients the very best in quality and natural aftercare to give your tattoo the best chance to last, reduce drop-outs, and keep colur vibrancy, we are constantly researching and developing our balms. This is why on occasion ingredients may change. Below is our updated full list of ingredients.
All ingredients are locally sourced by reputable Australian companies and not tested on animals.
Ingredients
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Boswellia Carterii (Frankincense) Oil, Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Fragrance.
Why is this Balm so good you ask???
Well here is a little information about why we have chosen specific ingredients and how they help your skin heal faster, while protecting it from potential infections.
💚 Nature’s Remedy: A Closer Look at the Healing Power of Our Botanical Balm
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When it comes to caring for wounded, irritated, or inflamed skin, nature provides some of the most powerful solutions — no synthetic fillers needed. Our balm was formulated with a clear goal in mind: to support your skin’s own healing process while soothing discomfort, calming itch, and promoting visible regeneration.
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Let’s take a deeper look at the incredible natural ingredients that make this balm more than just skin care — it’s skin therapy.
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🌼 Calendula Infused Oil – The Healing Hero
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Calendula (Calendula officinalis) has been used for centuries to treat minor wounds, cuts, insect bites, and inflamed skin. It works by stimulating angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) and enhancing collagen production — two essential processes in wound healing. Research confirms calendula’s ability to speed up tissue repair while reducing pain and inflammation.
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We infuse calendula flowers into a base of sunflower oil, extracting its soothing, skin-restoring benefits without harsh processing.
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🌿 Tamanu Oil – The Regen Oil
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Native to Polynesia, Tamanu oil is packed with calophyllic acid and delta-tocotrienol — both studied for their wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Tamanu oil is one of the few natural oils proven to stimulate the growth of new skin cells, which is critical for both rapid recovery and long-term skin integrity. It also fades the appearance of scarring and pigmentation left behind by wounds or irritation.
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🖤 Black Cumin Seed Oil – Nature’s Antiseptic
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Black cumin seed oil (Nigella sativa) is another powerhouse. Rich in thymoquinone, it boasts antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory benefits — making it ideal for compromised or infection-prone skin. It helps reduce the risk of bacterial colonization in broken skin while supporting healing and regeneration.
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🥥 Kukui Nut Oil – Deeply Nourishing, Never Greasy
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Harvested from Hawaii’s state tree, Kukui nut oil is a featherlight emollient that delivers deep hydration without clogging pores or sitting heavily on the skin. It penetrates quickly and is full of essential fatty acids (especially linoleic acid) that support the repair of the skin barrier. Its ability to soften rough, flaky skin makes it perfect for healing environments.
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🧈 Kokum Butter & Mango Butter – Softness Meets Stability
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We’ve chosen a blend of kokum and mango butter for their complementary strengths: kokum is hard and stable (ideal for a balm in twist-up tubes), while mango is deeply emollient and rich in vitamins A and C. Together, they protect damaged skin, reduce dryness, and lock in healing actives — without feeling greasy.
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💧 Botanical Oat Extract – Calm in a Jar
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Known for its soothing properties, oat extract relieves itchiness, irritation, and inflammation by forming a protective layer over the skin. It's especially beneficial during the early stages of healing when sensitivity is at its peak.
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🌱 Aloe Vera Extract Oil – Cooling & Comforting
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Aloe vera is the go-to for sunburn and inflammation, and for good reason: it’s anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and promotes wound healing by stimulating fibroblast activity. In oil-extracted form, it provides long-lasting comfort and retains its bioactive benefits without needing preservatives.
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🌸 Lavender & Frankincense Oils – Aromatic + Therapeutic
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Lavender essential oil isn’t just relaxing — it’s also antibacterial, antifungal, and shown to accelerate wound healing by promoting collagen synthesis. Frankincense oil brings anti-inflammatory benefits and has been used to calm irritated skin for centuries
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🌿 Rosemary Oleoresin – Natural Preservation + Antioxidant Power
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We’ve included rosemary oleoresin extract not just for its skin-loving properties, but also to help protect the delicate oils in our balm from oxidation — keeping your balm fresh and potent without synthetic preservatives.
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✨ Chlorophyll – Nature’s Green Gold
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Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants, is packed with antioxidants and believed to support wound healing and tissue regeneration. It gives our balm its natural green tint — no artificial dyes necessary.
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Why This Balm Works
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This isn’t just another balm — it’s a synergy of healing botanicals, antioxidants, and barrier-repairing emollients. Each ingredient is selected based on real scientific studies, and every drop serves a purpose. Whether you’re dealing with fresh wounds, bug bites, post-procedure skin, or chronic dryness, this balm brings your skin back to balance — naturally.