How to look after a new tattoo.
General guidance, not a substitute for what your artist tells you. Every piece heals differently and every artist wraps differently, so the written aftercare you are given at the appointment is the one that counts.
01
Follow your artist, not the internet
Your artist gives you written aftercare at the appointment, based on the piece they just did and the wrap they used. Where anything below differs from what they told you, do what they told you.
02
The wrap comes off when they say
Depending on the dressing, that is anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Wash your hands first, and if it is stuck, soften it under warm water rather than pulling it off dry.
03
Keep it clean
Wash it gently twice a day with clean hands and unscented soap, using warm water rather than hot. Rinse, then pat dry with something clean. Do not scrub it, and do not use a cloth or sponge that has been sitting in a bathroom.
04
Moisturize thin, and skip the petroleum
A light layer of unscented, water-based lotion once the wrap is off, twice a day. Not a thick coat: it needs air. Avoid petroleum-based products like petroleum jelly, which can pull the color out over time.
05
Let it heal, do not help it
Do not pick, scratch or peel it, however much it itches. Pulling scabs off takes the ink with them, and that is the most common reason a healed tattoo needs fixing.
06
Stay out of water and sun
No pools, hot tubs, baths, lakes or ocean while it is healing. Showers are fine. Keep it out of direct sun, and once it has healed, a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is the single thing that keeps it looking like it did on day one.
07
Give it room
Loose clothing over it while it heals. Anything tight rubs, and rubbing on a fresh tattoo is how patches end up patchy. Go easy on the gym for the first week or so: sweat and gym equipment are both worth avoiding on an open tattoo.
08
Know how long this actually takes
The surface is usually done flaking somewhere around three weeks, and the top layer of skin has closed by about two months. The deeper layers keep settling for months after that, which is normal. A tattoo that looks dull in week three is usually just healing.
09
Watch for trouble
Some redness, swelling and weeping in the first days is normal. Spreading redness, heat, a bad smell or a fever is not. If you see any of that, see a doctor. We are tattooers, not clinicians.
10
Come back if it needs it
Healing varies and small patches sometimes need a second pass. Message the artist who did the work with a clear photo and they will tell you what they want to do about it.
Something not healing right?
Message the artist who did the work, with a clear, well-lit photo. They know what they put in your skin and what they expect it to do. If you have spreading redness, heat, a bad smell or a fever, see a doctor first. We are tattooers, not clinicians.
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