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Tattoo Aftercare

Healing & Care Guide

This guide was last reviewed and updated on: 05/10/2025

Taking proper care of your tattoo is essential for how it heals and how it looks long-term.

Follow these steps carefully — your skin is healing, and how you treat it now will directly affect your tattoo’s final result.

Step 1 – First 24 Hours: The Critical Start

If Using Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap means regular cling wrap, not Second Skin (the special bandage sticker).

Initial Removal & Cleaning

Remove the plastic wrap a maximum of 1 hour after getting tattooed. Leaving it on too long can trap heat and bacteria, which may lead to infection.

First Wash Instructions

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before touching your tattoo.
  • Rinse with clean lukewarm water (bottled water is preferred).
  • Gently remove any blood or plasma with clean hands.
  • Pat dry with a clean paper towel — never rub.
  • Let it air dry completely for 5–10 minutes.

Days 2–3 Care

NO aftercare products needed yet — just water and air.

For the next two days, simply rinse your tattoo with bottled water 2–3 times a day and gently pat it dry. Your tattoo needs time to breathe and start healing naturally before applying any creams or ointments.

Why No Products Yet?

  • The tattoo is still an open wound during the first 72 hours.
  • Applying products too soon can cause bubbling or infection.
  • Over-moisturizing can affect ink retention and delay healing.
  • Your body needs this time to form its natural protective barrier.

Daily Routine for Days 2–3

  • Morning: Rinse with bottled water, pat dry with paper towel.
  • Afternoon: Rinse again if sweating or exposed to dirt.
  • Evening: Final rinse before bed, ensure the tattoo is completely dry.

Always use clean hands and fresh paper towels. Avoid touching or rubbing unnecessarily.

What to Expect

  • Tightness or mild itchiness (don’t scratch).
  • Tattoo may appear darker or slightly raised.
  • A thin protective layer may form.
  • Minimal flaking around edges is normal.
  • Small plasma spots may continue to appear — this is expected.

If Using Second Skin

Second Skin is a transparent, adhesive bandage that looks like a clear sticker over your tattoo. It’s thicker than regular plastic wrap and stays stuck to your skin.

Leave your Second Skin bandage on for 3–5 days as directed by your artist. This breathable film protects your tattoo while allowing it to heal naturally.

What to Expect

  • Fluid build-up (blood, ink, plasma) is normal.
  • The bandage may look dark or cloudy — this is expected.
  • Mild edge lifting or light itching is normal healing.

Important

Do not go swimming with Second Skin. It is not waterproof for submersion — it only protects against splashes and showers. Swimming pools, oceans, or baths can introduce bacteria and cause infection by trapping dirty water under the film.

Remove Early If You Notice

  • Excessive fluid pooling (larger than a coin).
  • Redness, heat, or pain that worsens.
  • Allergic reactions such as rash or swelling.
  • Bandage lifting enough to expose the tattoo.

Once removed, clean your tattoo gently with bottled water and follow the Day 3 – Until Healed steps below.

Step 2 – Day 3 Until Healed

Once the skin has closed and the surface feels dry (and you’ve removed Second Skin if you haven’t already), you can begin using aftercare cream.

How to Apply

  • Apply a very small amount of aftercare cream 2–3 times per day.
  • Always wash your hands first.
  • Use just enough to lightly moisturize — your tattoo should never look wet or shiny.
  • Continue this until the tattoo is completely smooth and healed.

Keep in Mind

  • A dry tattoo is not a bad thing — don’t use too much cream.
  • Too much cream can suffocate the tattoo and slow healing.
  • Always use tattoo-specific or fragrance-free aftercare products.
  • Do not use soaps or alcohol-based products.

What’s Normal During Healing

  • Slight redness, mild darkness, or light patches.
  • Peeling and flaking like a sunburn.
  • Tattoo looking dull or cloudy — normal during skin regeneration.
  • Mild tightness and itching.

Please be patient — you cannot see the true final result during healing. Most tattoos take around 2 weeks to fully settle, though some may take longer depending on skin type and placement.

What to Avoid During Healing

Your tattoo is an open wound for the first several days and remains sensitive for the next few weeks. Avoid anything that risks irritation, infection, or ink loss.

  • No swimming, soaking, or hot tubs until fully healed.
  • Avoid direct sunlight — UV rays fade fresh ink.
  • Don’t use soaps, disinfectants, or alcohol-based products.
  • Avoid tight clothing — wear clean, loose clothing that allows airflow.
  • Don’t rub or scratch scabs or flakes.
  • Don’t over-moisturize.
  • Avoid excessive sweating or gym workouts.
  • Keep pets and fur away from the tattoo.
  • Avoid hot showers or steam exposure.

Breaking these rules can cause infection, scarring, or permanent damage to your tattoo. Be cautious — it’s better to protect your tattoo properly the first time.

Healing Timeline

Days 1–3

Fresh and vulnerable. Redness, mild swelling, and light discharge are normal. Keep it clean and dry — no products yet.

Days 4–7

Mild itching, tightness, and peeling begin. Start applying a small amount of aftercare cream.

Week 2

Flaking continues. Tattoo may look faded or milky — this is just the top layer of dead skin shedding.

Weeks 3–4

Skin appears shiny or waxy as deeper layers heal. The tattoo begins to settle and regain vibrancy.

Normal Healing Signs

It’s completely normal to see:

  • Light redness or warmth in the area.
  • Slightly darker or lighter tones during healing.
  • Minor scabbing or peeling.

Full healing typically takes around 2 weeks for most people, though every body heals differently.

What’s NOT Normal

Contact us immediately if you notice:

  • Severe redness spreading beyond the tattoo area.
  • Excessive swelling that gets worse after 48 hours.
  • Hot skin or fever.
  • Green, yellow, or foul-smelling discharge.
  • Severe pain that increases instead of decreasing.
  • Red streaks extending from the tattoo.
  • Excessive bubbling or blistering of the skin.

These could be signs of infection. Send us a photo — don’t wait.

Recommended Aftercare Products

We recommend using tattoo-specific aftercare products, which we sell at our studio, for best healing results.

If you need to use something else for any reason, please ask us first before applying another product.

Questions or Concerns?

If you’re unsure about anything during the healing process, or if something doesn’t look or feel right, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Send us a clear, well-lit photo of your tattoo along with a description of what you’re concerned about, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

We’re here to help — your tattoo healing properly is our priority.

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