Aftercare
What to do now
Care for a fresh tattoo or fresh scalp micropigmentation. If Melody told you something different, that overrides this page.
The urgent part
The first 48 hours
The sun, water and exercise timeframes are at the end of this page.
Leave the dressing on for as long as you were told
Don't open it early. Film or adhesive patch: remove it with clean hands, under warm water, parallel to the skin — never straight up.
Wash with clean hands, warm water and neutral soap
Fingertips only — no sponge, no scrubbing. Lift off excess plasma and ink until the skin no longer feels tacky.
Pat dry with a disposable paper towel
Pat, don't drag. No cloth towel: it holds lint and bacteria. Then a couple of minutes in the air.
A thin layer of the product you were given, 2–3 times a day
Genuinely thin. A thick layer pulls pigment and slows healing. If it shines, it's too much.
Loose clothing and clean bedding
Nothing should rub or press. If you sleep on the area, change the pillowcase before the first night.
The following weeks
Each discipline heals differently
A tattoo and scalp micropigmentation don't ask for the same things. Don't mix the two routines.
Tattoo
- Days 3 to 7: it dries, tightens and flakes. That's normal. Keep moisturizing thinly and often.
- Weeks 2 to 4: it can look dull under a layer of new skin. The color comes back on its own.
Scalp micropigmentation
- First days: the dots look darker than they'll end up.
- Cap: clean it or change it. Dirty fabric rubs and causes problems.
- Density is built up gradually. Each session has to heal before the result can be assessed and the next one booked.
When to message us
- If the pain increases rather than settles, past the second day.
- If the redness spreads beyond the worked area, or feels warm to the touch.
- If you see a change in color, a change in texture, or something weeping, and you're not sure what it is.
- If an itchy rash shows up over the pigment, days later.
Message us with a photo as soon as you see it. If you feel unwell, your doctor comes first. Don't wait on our reply.
Timeframes
The care rules
They apply the same way to a tattoo and to scalp micropigmentation.
Sun, water and sweat
- No sun, sea, pool, rivers or hot tub for at least 20 days. Don't submerge the area. Short showers, yes.
- No sun exposure at all during those 20 days. Sun is what ages a tattoo most.
- Exercise and heavy sweating: from day 5 onwards. Not before. Sweat pulls pigment. Gym, sauna and steam wait.
- Sunscreen only once healed, from day 20. From then on, high-factor protection always.
The skin
- Don't scratch or pick the scab. Skin lets go when it's ready. Pulling it off takes pigment and leaves a gap.
- Don't scratch or exfoliate the scalp while it flakes. Gentle washing, no fingernails.
- Touch-ups: assessed once the piece has healed, never before.
When in doubt, send the photo.
We'd rather look at it and find nothing. Message us on WhatsApp.