Follow these simple steps from Guns and Inks Tattoos, Piercings and PMU in Kondapur to help your tattoo heal cleanly and keep the ink looking sharp.

• Leave the covering on for the time advised by your artist. Always wash your hands before touching the area.

• Gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, then pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub.

• Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free tattoo balm, 2–3 times a day. Too much product can clog and irritate healing skin.

• Wear clean, loose clothing. Do not scratch, pick, peel or shave over the tattoo.

• Avoid swimming, soaking, long hot baths, steam, heavy workouts, excess sweating and direct sun until healed. Once healed, use SPF on exposed tattoos.

• Do not apply coconut oil, Dettol, Savlon, Soframycin, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or other home remedies, and never slap the tattoo to relieve itching.

Healing time: the surface usually heals in about 2–4 weeks; the skin underneath can take up to 4–8 weeks to fully heal. Healing varies from person to person and with size, placement and style.

Mild redness, itching, dryness and light flaking are normal early on.

Tattoos and PMU: 18+ only, with valid photo ID. Piercings: ear and nose at any age (under-18s with a parent or guardian), belly from 13 with parental consent, all others 18+ with photo ID. See our age and ID policy