Tattoo Aftercare

Before getting a tattoo, it’s important to know your tattoo aftercare responsibilities. Proper care ensures your tattoo heals well and stays looking its best.

No matter how precise the artist’s work, your tattoo needs proper care to heal and last.

Caring for a new tattoo is your responsibility from the very moment you get out of the tattooist’s chair, right through the rest of your life.

The tattoo aftercare is perhaps the most important aspect of your tattoo journey. Take tattoo aftercare seriously—your ink’s longevity depends on it. Proper cleaning and care keep your tattoo vibrant, infection-free, and healing quickly.

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Initial Tattoo Aftercare

The Most Important Stage

Aftercare matters most in the first 3 weeks. Infection risk is highest then, and poor care can ruin your tattoo’s appearance. So here you are the three stages you must follow to have a vibrant and crispy tattoo for life:

Stage 1

Removing Your Tattoo Bandage/Wrap (after 3 days)

Remove the Second Skin after 24–72 hours. Then just clean your tattoo right after.

GENTLY remove the wrap under the warm water shower carefully peeling off the second skin used by your artist.

After removing your wrap, your tattoo will be covered in a thick, gooey mix of blood, plasma, ink, and lymph fluid. Don’t panic! That is completely normal.

Stage 2

Initial Clean – Tattoo Aftercare Instructions For Your Wash And Moisturizing (2 to 3 times/day during one week or until itches)

Before cleaning your tattoo, you will want to clean your hands thoroughly to kill any bacteria present.

Gently cup lukewarm water over the tattoo using only your palm and fingers, no washcloth, towel, or sponge. Ensure the water is not hot.

When the area is wet, apply a good amount of clear, fragrance-free, mild antibacterial soap and remove all dried blood and ink. Then, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water to wash away all soap.

After washing, let your tattoo air-dry or gently pat it dry with a paper towel. Never rub or scrub because this can remove ink. Always pat dry instead.

Once the area is completely dry, lightly apply a specialized ointment or lotion to moisturize and help it heal. You will only want a very thin layer to cover the tattoo.

After one week—or when your tattoo starts to itch—switch to Stage 3 and use the nourishing cream provided.

Stage 3

Tattoo Moisturizing (4 to 6 times/day during two weeks or more)

After 3 to 7 days of cleaning and moisturizing, your tattoo may feel dry, itchy, or tight, and the skin might look shiny or flaky. Pay close attention to these signs because that means you are going to need extra help with a moisturizer. Please buy a paraben & phthalate-free cream. I strongly recommend these options: https://uk.palmers.com/products/cocoa-butter-hand-cream?_pos=7&_sid=3ff5e3abb&_ss=r , or this other https://uk.palmers.com/cocoa-butter-formula/44-intensive-relief-hand-cream.html

Notice that it is essential don’t letting your tattoo dry out! If this happens, your skin could crack and break, raising the risk of infection. Keep it moisturized with thin layers of cream as instructed.

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What NOT to do while your Tattoo is Healing

• Picking the Scabs – After a few days, your tattoo may begin to scab over. These scabs should not be picked or pulled off under any circumstance.
• Picking Off Peeling Skin – Once your tattoo finishes scabbing, the skin will start to peel and flake naturally. This flaky skin, no-matter how inviting, should not be played with, picked, or peeled off.
• Scratching your Tattoo – This is the most important rule for caring for a new tattoo.
• Submerging your Tattoo in Water – Most bodies of water harbor many different kinds of nasty germs and bacteria. Stay away from swimming with a new tattoo or bathing in any type of water for at least three weeks.
• Exposing your Tattoo to the Sun – If you didn’t already know this, the sun is the #1 tattoo killer. Always protect your new tattoo from the sun—especially in the first six months. UV rays can cause swelling, blisters, rashes, slow healing, and fade your ink. Avoid direct sunlight and sunbeds.
• Re-wrapping your Tattoo – Unless your artist advises otherwise, don’t re-wrap your tattoo after removing the initial bandage. Your tattoo needs to breath in order to heal properly.
• Smothering the Tattoo in Lotion/Ointment – Avoid over-applying aftercare cream—too much product blocks air, which can slow your healing. Your should only apply a very thin, barely shiny layer of lotion to your tattoo.
• Using Petroleum & Lanoline-Based Products – Most of these product types are very dense and heavy. Even applying a thin layer can prevent your tattoo from breathing properly.
• Using fragrance/alcohol-based soaps to clean your tattoo. – Avoid products with artificial fragrances—they can irritate your sensitive healing skin.
• Using abrasive or dirty cloths/towels—always blot with a clean paper towel or let it air-dry. NEVER rub or scrub the area to clean or dry the tattoo.
• Using tight or synthetic clothing—it can irritate your tattoo, causing rashes, scab removal, or skin damage.
• Workout/Exercising too Soon – Avoid intense workouts right after getting a tattoo. Exercise can stress your immune system, slow healing, and cause ink to seep out as sweat opens your pores. Gyms harbor bacteria, so keep your tattoo clean and avoid rubbing it against equipment or overworking the tattooed area.
• Washing your Tattoo with Hot Water – Your healing skin is extra sensitive—hot water can easily irritate it.
• Using Saunas/Steam Rooms – Steam and humidity open your pores, risking ink loss and letting bacteria into the healing tattoo.
• Touching your Tattoo with Dirty Hands – Never touch your fresh tattoo with dirty hands. There is a huge infection risk at this stage.
• Letting Anybody Else Touch your Tattoo – An even worse crime than above. Do not let anyone else touch your tattoo for at least several weeks. You have no idea where their hands have been.
• Shaving the Tattooed Area – Don’t shave the area for at least a few weeks after getting a new tattoo. Avoid shaving over your tattoo while it’s healing because you might nick scabs or peeling skin.
• Drinking Too Much Alcohol – Avoid alcohol for 48 hours because it thins your blood, increasing oozing and slowing healing.

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Tattoo Care Instructions (to be taken in account for the rest of your life!)

• Always use sunscreen – it’s the most important rule after your tattoo fully heals. The sun fades tattoos quickly, turning bright, vibrant designs dull and blurry. Never expose your tattoo to UV rays from tanning beds either.
• Keep moisturizing your tattoo – healthy, hydrated skin keeps your ink looking vibrant for years.
• Drink plenty of water – it hydrates your skin from within and helps flush out toxins for better healing.
• Live and Eat Healthy – maintain a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet. It keeps your skin, and tattoos, looking their best.

Now you know all the needs of your new piece, it just lasts one thing to say: Enjoy it! ; )