TATTOO AFTERCARE
Proper aftercare is an important part of keeping your new tattoo looking its best while it heals. Follow the instructions below and any specific instructions provided by your artist.
1. Leave Your Bandage On
Leave your bandage or protective film on for the amount of time recommended by your artist. Different types of coverings have different wear times, so follow your artist's instructions.
Do not remove the bandage early unless instructed to do so.
2. Wash Your Hands
Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your new tattoo. Avoid unnecessary touching while your tattoo is healing.
3. Gently Clean Your Tattoo
Once it is time to remove your bandage, gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap.
Use your clean fingertips to gently remove any blood, plasma, or excess ink. Do not scrub the tattoo.
Rinse thoroughly and gently pat the area dry with a clean paper towel or clean, soft towel. Do not rub.
4. Apply a Thin Layer of Moisturizer
Once the tattoo is completely dry, apply a very thin layer of the moisturizer or aftercare product recommended by your artist.
Your tattoo should not look heavily coated or greasy. Too much product can prevent the skin from breathing properly.
5. Keep Your Tattoo Clean and Moisturized
Continue gently washing and moisturizing your tattoo as needed while it heals.
As the tattoo heals, it is normal for the skin to become dry, itchy, flaky, or develop small scabs. Do not pick, scratch, or peel your tattoo. Let the skin shed naturally.
6. Avoid Soaking Your Tattoo
Until your tattoo is fully healed, avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, baths, and other activities that keep your tattoo submerged for extended periods.
Showers are fine, but avoid allowing strong streams of water to hit the tattoo directly.
7. Protect Your Tattoo From the Sun
Keep your new tattoo out of direct sunlight while it is healing. Once it has fully healed, protect it with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to help protect both your skin and the tattoo from sun damage and fading.
8. Avoid Picking or Scratching
Itching and peeling are a normal part of the healing process. Resist the urge to scratch or pick at your tattoo, as doing so can interfere with healing and may affect the appearance of the tattoo.
9. Give Your Tattoo Time to Heal
Most tattoos take several weeks to heal on the surface. Healing time can vary depending on the size, placement, and your individual skin.
Your tattoo may look dull or cloudy during the healing process before the color settles.
10. Know What Is Normal
Some redness, swelling, tenderness, clear fluid, itching, flaking, and small amounts of scabbing can occur during normal healing. These symptoms should gradually improve as your tattoo heals.
11. Watch for Signs of Infection
Contact a medical professional if you notice symptoms such as:
Redness or swelling that continues to spread or worsen
Increasing or severe pain
Excessive heat around the tattoo
Pus or unusual discharge
Open sores or a rapidly worsening rash
These can be signs of infection and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Remember
Keep it clean. Keep it lightly moisturized. Don't pick it. Don't soak it. Protect it from the sun.
When in doubt, contact your artist with questions about your specific tattoo and aftercare instructions.