Aftercare Advice by Duane

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Duane Robinson gave tattooing a go in 2008 and now owns his own shop, Illumineye Tattoo Studio, in Mile End London. He gives us some useful tips on how to appropriately prep for tattoos and aftercare advice.

How would you describe your style of work?

I really enjoy realism and semi-realism, but style-wise I guess it changes all the time through different inspirations.

What inspired you to become an artist?

I fell into it really. While getting tattooed and drawing designs for my tattooist friend, I realized I really wanted to get into the trade. I then gave up everything I had going on at the time, just to throw myself in.

What did your family and friends think about you getting into the business?

I'd love to say they hated the idea, but they were all really supportive people. So aside from quitting my jobs, which no family likes the idea of, they were behind me.

What are some of the worst mistakes people make in caring for their tattoos?

Thinking that everything is done once they leave the studio, not realizing that a tattoo is just as important to look after as a surgical procedure.

What do you consider to be the best tattoo care tip?

Hygiene--the skin heals itself from the inside and creates a protective layer (scabbing of sorts). So keeping the area clean is the most important. It is definitely important not to pick at this area as it opens up for bacteria to penetrate and then incubate. You should treat it as a wound or surgical procedure. Follow the instructions given by the artist and things should be okay.

What product do you recommend for healing tattoos?

In general, I use hustle butter. Do NOT use anything with perfumes! Keep it natural. It's what our bodies like.

What advice do you give to a person who has never healed a tattoo before?

Leave the tattoo covering on for between 3 to 5 hours (this can vary on the tattoo) after your tattoo is finished. This protects the fresh site from airborne bacteria or bacteria on clothing. It allows the skin to start it's process of letting out plasma blood excess ink, without drying and sticking to clothing, until your first shower.
Make sure to wash your new tattoo several times a day (with soft, non-scented, antibacterial soap) to keep it clean and avoid infection. Do this for 2 to 3 weeks. NEVER touch your tattoo unless you have just washed your hands!
The first few days after washing the tattoo, make sure to apply a moisturizer/ointment to keep it hydrated. Only apply a small amount though. Do NOT soak it.
For the first couple of weeks, avoid wearing tight clothing--You could rub the tattoo against the clothing, causing irritation/ink loss or allow hidden bacteria to be scratched into the healing tattoo. Also, try to avoid sleeping on your tattoo so you do not agitate the healing process.
While the tattoo is healing, please avoid large bodies of water (e.g jacuzzi, ocean, pool, etc). Also, physical activities (gym or sports) as these can create excessive sweating. Avoid exposure to the sun for the first two weeks. Continue this process until the tattoo is healed.

If you could tattoo anyone, who would it be and why?

My son or daughter (when they are old enough). I haven't seen them for 4 years, which is painful. A very long, hard story that is still in the process of being sorted out.

Before someone gets a tattoo, what advice to do you give them?

My advice is to:

Have a shower
Good nights sleep
Do not drink alcohol or take drugs
Have a good breakfast
Arrive a little bit earlier than your appointment time (in case anything needs to be discussed before hand)

What does your tattoo portfolio range from? Any strange tattoos?

A fair amount of strange tattoos, including barbed wire around a penis (lol). But I do not tend to keep the images of them.

Are there any famous artists that have influenced you?

Definitely--from tattoo artists to painters, graffiti artists, and even photographers.

Where do you see the art of tattooing 10 or 20 years from now?

I can only see it being more eye-catching. The stigma will always be there. You can always see it in the street, while walking around. Even those who have a lot of tattoos still stigmatize those they feel have gone too far.

Do you think it will ever become fully accepted as an art?

I'd like to think so, as it would be awesome to see it accepted, but I also say that about graffiti (lol).

Is this a job you would enjoy doing for the rest of your life?

Oh, hell yes! I couldn't imagine doing anything else. It's freedom to express ourselves as humans and marking the skin is timeless.

Tattooing obviously takes a lot of practice and patience. Has this ever been a concept you struggled to manage?

I've learned patience over the years (lol), but practice is something I've always enjoyed. Whether it be art, physical training, or simply a new skill.

What is the best advice you can give to aspiring tattoo artists?

Take every piece of criticism, whether it's a harsh kick up the arse or a soft word in your ear. It all molds us the same way and helps steer us in the right direction. Also, try to avoid the X-factor syndrome where everybody tells you you're great, as most truths come from hearing the negatives.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would suggest researching how the skin heals. I did this and found lots of interesting information on wet skin versus dry skin, etc. Also research on how infections incubate and the best things to do if you have any issues. Remember that a healing tattoo heals the same way as a healing wound, so most of this information is just as relevant.