Aftercare Instructions

Day-by-Day Healing Routine

If your tattoo remains exceptionally red, swollen, hot to the touch, or leaks pus after the first few days, contact a healthcare professional, as these can be signs of an infection.

Day 1: The Initial Unwrapping

  • Leave the dressing on as instructed by your artist. Plastic wrap or gauze can usually be removed within a few hours, while medical-grade adhesives (like Saniderm) are designed to stay on for several days.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo.
  • Cleanse the area gently using warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap.
  • Pat dry lightly with a clean paper towel or let it air dry.
  • Apply ointment: Once dry, apply a very thin layer of the ointment or lotion your artist recommended.

Days 2–6: The Scabbing Phase

  • Keep washing the tattoo 1 to 2 times a day. You might notice excess ink washing away; this is completely normal.
  • Apply ointment or lotion after the skin dries.
  • Do not pick at scabs. Your tattoo may look dull or cloudy as it heals, and raised scabs may form. Picking them can pull out ink and cause permanent scarring.

Days 6–30: The Peeling and Itching Phase

  • Let it flake naturally. Scabs will harden and flake off on their own.
  • Moisturize to relieve itching. As the skin heals, it may feel intensely itchy. Gently rub on a fragrance-free, alcohol-free moisturizer several times a day. Do not scratch!
  • Hydrate dull skin. The tattooed area might look dry and dull during this final stretch. Keep moisturizing until the skin appears fully hydrated and vibrant again.

Recommended Products

  • Soap: Use mild, fragrance-free cleansers (e.g., Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar, Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Pure-Castile Soap).
  • Ointments (First Few Days): Breathable ointments like Aquaphor Healing Ointment or A+D Original Ointment.
  • Lotions (After First Week): Switch to fragrance-free and dye-free lotions (e.g., Lubriderm Daily Moisture or Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion).
  • Avoid 100% Petroleum: Skip products like original Vaseline during the initial healing process, as they can trap moisture and block the airflow your wound needs to breathe.
  • Tattoo aftercare

Crucial Things to Avoid

  • No scratching or picking: If it itches, gently pat or tap the area instead.
  • No submerging in water: Avoid bathtubs, hot tubs, lakes, and swimming pools until the tattoo is completely healed. Showers are perfectly fine.
  • No direct sunlight: Keep your fresh tattoo out of the sun. Once fully healed, always apply sunscreen to protect the ink from fading.
  • No tight clothing: Avoid wearing tight clothes that might rub against the healing skin and cause irritation.