TATTOO AFTERCARE
Following proper aftercare ensures your tattoo heals correctly and looks its best for years to come. Your artist will provide specific guidance during your appointment, but here's what to expect during the healing process
Immediately After Your Appointment
Your artist will place a clear wrap over your tattoo; leave this on for approximately 2 hours, unless advised by artist otherwise. This is designed to keep your tattoo safe until you are home or to a place where you can clean your tattoo properly. Do not leave the wrap on longer than necessary, or overnight.
First Wash (When the Wrap Comes Off)
Once you remove the wrap, gently rinse your tattoo with lukewarm water using your clean hands. You'll likely see Vaseline, plasma, or ink residue underneath the wrap. This is normal. Use light pressure to wash it away, treating the area carefully. Your tattoo is an open wound at this stage, so avoid scrubbing or applying too much force.
After rinsing, allow the area to air dry completely. Do not rewrap your tattoo. From this point forward, your tattoo needs to breathe and begin the healing process without being covered.
Daily Care for the Next 2-3 Weeks
For the next few weeks, you'll follow a simple washing and moisturizing routine. Consistency matters here.
Washing Your Tattoo
Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo. Use light patting motions to cleanse the area. Never scrub, and avoid using washcloths, loofahs, or anything abrasive. These can irritate the healing skin and damage the tattoo.
Wash your tattoo twice daily with an unscented, gentle cleanser. This is sufficient for most people. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Make sure all cleanser is removed before moving to the next step.
Drying Your Tattoo
After washing, gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean piece of paper towel. Use it once and discard it. Do not reuse paper towel, and do not use regular towels, clothing, or anything that isn't single-use and clean. If you prefer, you can skip the paper towel entirely and allow your tattoo to air dry. This is often the gentlest option.
Moisturizing Your Tattoo
Once the area is completely dry, apply a thin layer of unscented lotion or balm. The key word here is thin. You do not want a thick layer of product sitting on your tattoo. Heavy application traps moisture and bacteria underneath, which can interfere with healing or cause breakouts. Your tattoo needs to breathe. A light layer is all it takes.
What to Expect During Healing
Your tattoo will go through several stages as it heals. Here's what's normal.
Days 2-4: Itching and Flaking
Around the 2-4 day mark, your tattoo will likely become itchy and start to flake. This is completely normal.
During this stage, you may apply a thin layer of moisturizer a few times throughout the day to take the edge off the itch. However, continue washing only twice daily. Extra cleansing during this phase isn't necessary and can dry out your skin further.
The Most Important Rule: Do Not Pick or Scratch
Do not pick, scratch, or peel your tattoo at any point during healing. Doing so can cause scarring, patchy spots in the ink, or introduce infection. Loose flakes and patches of skin are normal. They will fall off on their own. They do not need any help. While it may look unsightly, LEAVE IT ALONE.
If your tattoo itches, slap it gently instead of scratching. This releases some of the sensation without damaging the healing skin.
What to Avoid
- Certain activities and environments can interfere with healing. Avoiding these for a few weeks protects your investment and ensures your tattoo heals properly:
- Avoid tight or abrasive clothing over the tattoo. Friction can irritate the area.
- Avoid excessive sweating for the first few days. This includes intense workouts, heavy physical labor, or anything that causes prolonged perspiration. Sweat creates an environment where bacteria can thrive, which can compromise healing.
- Do not expose your new tattoo to direct sun light or use tanning beds until it is fully healed. The Sun and tanning beds can age your tattoos faster than normal. Once healed, we HIGHLY recommend using sunscreen on your tattoo(s) (SPF 50 is ideal)
- No soaking of any kind for 4-6 weeks after getting your tattoo. This includes but is not limited to pools, hot tubs, baths, lakes, oceans, saunas, steam rooms, and any other body of water. These places also tend to have high concentrations of bacteria that can cause problems for your healing tattoo. Showers are fine, but keep them brief and avoid prolonged water exposure on the tattoo.
Signs of a Problem
Most tattoos heal without complications when you follow proper aftercare. However, if you notice unusual symptoms during the healing process, contact your artist or a healthcare professional. This includes persistent redness, swelling, or warmth around the tattoo that doesn't improve after a few days, abnormal discharge from the tattooed area, fever, or any indication of infection or allergic reaction. If something doesn't feel right, please reach out immediately.
PROTECT Your Investment
Your tattoo will only look as good as you take care of it and the first few weeks determine how it heals. We carry cleanser and balm formulated specifically for tattooed skin to support that process without irritation. Once healed, the real work begins. UV exposure is what fades ink faster than anything else, which is why we also carry mineral-based SPF designed to protect tattooed skin.
Daily moisturizing keeps your skin healthy and your ink vibrant. Sun protection keeps your tattoo looking sharp for years. If something comes up during healing or you're not sure what to use, reach out. All products are available in-studio or online.
