Tattoo Aftercare Guide

The first day is critical for setting up a healthy healing process. Your tattoo is essentially an open wound, so treat it with care.

• Leave the bandage on for 2-4 hours after your session. If your artist applied a medical-grade adhesive wrap (such as Saniderm or Tegaderm), it can stay on for up to 24 hours.
• Wash gently with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free liquid soap. Use clean hands only — never a washcloth, loofah, or sponge.
• Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub or use a cloth towel, which may harbor bacteria.
• Apply a thin layer of aftercare ointment such as Aquaphor, A&D ointment, or a product specifically recommended by your artist. Less is more — a light, translucent layer is all you need.
• Avoid touching your tattoo with unwashed hands. Bacteria on your fingers is the leading cause of tattoo infections.

During this phase, your tattoo will go through several stages including oozing, light scabbing, and peeling. This is all completely normal.

• Wash 2-3 times daily with fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water. Gently clean away any plasma or excess ointment that accumulates on the surface.
• Switch to a fragrance-free moisturizer after the first 2-3 days. Good options include Lubriderm, Cetaphil, or Eucerin. Apply a thin layer whenever the tattoo feels dry or tight.
• Do not pick, scratch, or peel any flaking skin. Peeling is a natural part of healing. Picking can pull ink out and cause patchiness.
• Do not submerge in water. Avoid baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, and natural bodies of water. Brief showers are fine, but do not let the tattoo sit under running water for extended periods.
• Keep out of direct sunlight. UV rays can fade and damage a healing tattoo. If you must go outside, keep the tattoo covered with loose clothing.
• Wear loose, breathable clothing over the tattoo. Tight fabrics can stick to the surface, pull scabs, and irritate the area.

Your outer layer of skin will have healed, but deeper layers continue repairing for several more weeks. Continued care ensures your tattoo looks vibrant for years.

• Continue moisturizing daily. Keeping the skin hydrated helps maintain color vibrancy and sharpness of the design.
• Always apply sunscreen (SPF 30+) to your tattoo when exposed to sunlight. UV radiation is the number one cause of long-term tattoo fading. Use a broad-spectrum, fragrance-free sunscreen.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water keeps your skin healthy from the inside out, which helps your tattoo maintain its appearance.
• Full healing takes 4-6 weeks. While the surface may look healed after 2-3 weeks, the deeper dermal layer where the ink resides takes longer to fully recover. Be patient with the process.

During the healing period, steer clear of anything that could introduce bacteria, cause irritation, or pull ink from the skin.

Some discomfort, redness, and swelling is normal in the first few days. However, reach out to your artist or a medical professional if you notice any of the following:

• Signs of infection: excessive redness spreading beyond the tattoo area, increasing swelling after the first 48 hours, pus or yellow-green discharge, hot skin around the tattoo, or fever.
• Allergic reaction: persistent itching, rash, or bumps that appear around the tattooed area — particularly with red, yellow, or green inks.
• Significant color loss: while some ink loss during peeling is normal, large patches of missing color may indicate a healing problem or need for a touch-up.
• Raised or bumpy healing after 2 weeks: if the tattoo remains significantly raised, develops keloid-like scarring, or shows unusual texture after the initial healing phase, consult your artist.