Aftercare

Your tattoo is a piece of art — how you care for it in the first few weeks determines how it looks for the rest of your life. There are two healing methods below: traditional aftercare, or TegaDerm/second skin. Follow whichever your artist used, and reach out if you have any concerns.

Healing Traditionally

Leave the bandage your artist applied on for 2–4 hours. Always wash your hands before touching your new tattoo.

For the first 3–4 days, wash it 2–3 times a day with an antibacterial, fragrance-free soap (Dial, HibiClens, or unscented Dr. Bronner's) and warm water — hands only, no washcloths or loofahs. Pat dry with a clean, disposable paper towel — not a regular towel. Let it air dry 5–10 minutes, then rub in a thin layer of unscented healing cream (CeraVe Healing Ointment or BioTat Healing Ointment both work well). Don't smother it.

Around day 4 it'll start to peel or flake — don't pick, peel, or scratch. Switch to a gentle, fragrance-free lotion and keep it moisturized for the next several weeks. Indefinitely is best.

TegaDerm, Second Skin

Leave the bandage on for 3–5 days, then remove it in the shower, pulling in the direction of hair growth. Wash with antibacterial, fragrance-free soap — no washcloths or loofahs. Pat dry, air dry 5–10 minutes, then moisturize with a gentle, fragrance-free lotion for the next several weeks.

If your artist didn't apply it, you can apply it yourself within 24 hours: wash the area with antibacterial, fragrance-free soap, let it fully dry, and don't apply any ointment first. Leave about an inch border around the tattoo — if applying in sections, make sure they overlap completely.

Don't pop any bubbles (ink sacs) — that's normal. If there's irritation (redness, bumps off the tattoo, etc.), remove the bandage immediately and switch to the traditional healing steps above. Leftover adhesive residue will come off after a few washes — don't use abrasives or rubbing alcohol.

Things to Remember

  • Avoid direct sun exposure on your new tattoo.
  • Don't soak it — avoid swimming for 2 weeks.
  • Don't pick, peel, or scratch — it pulls scabs prematurely, taking ink with it and causing gaps.
  • Keep it away from pet dander, the #1 cause of tattoo infection while healing — clean bedsheets, keep pets off the area.
  • At the gym, cover it with saran wrap for the first week — no longer than 1–2 hours at a time, and clean it well after.
  • Questions? Reach out to your artist.

If you notice excessive redness, swelling, or discharge beyond the first 48 hours, contact your artist. If you believe you may have an infection, see a doctor. Touch-ups are available — reach out to your artist after the tattoo is fully healed.