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Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

  1. Leave the bandage/wrap on for 2-3 hours. Do not rebandage afterwards.

  2. Take the bandage off and wash your tattoo gently with warm water and unscented, antibacterial soap (Dial Gold, Dove, etc). Bar or liquid soap is fine. Do not use a washcloth; just use your hands.

  3. Gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel.

  4. Apply a thin layer of plain, unscented lotion (Cetaphil, CeraVe, Lubriderm, etc). Avoid “gobbing” a thick layer of moisturizer on the tattoo in order to make it last longer – this can increase risk of infection. Think “chapstick thin” layer of lotion each time.

  5. Repeat steps 2-4 every day for the duration of the healing process. Washing should be done twice a day for the first week, then drop down to once a day. Moisturizing will be 2-3 times a day or as needed (whenever the tattoo is feeling dry, itchy, or flaky) for the entirety of the healing process. 

  6. Healing time can vary, but between 4-6 weeks is typical. Location, saturation, size, and amount of pigment in the tattoo can all affect healing time.

 

Things to Avoid While Healing Your Tattoo

  • Scabbing, peeling, and flaking are all normal during the healing process. Parts where there was more saturation (suck as heavy solid black fill or saturated color) may scab quite thickly. Do not pick, scratch, or pull the scabs on your tattoo. You may gently slap it or itch the area around it to help with itching.

  • Avoid swimming or submerging under water (baths, hot tubs, etc) for at least 2 weeks.

  • Avoid working out/excessive physical activity and sweating for 3-5 days.

  • Avoid direct sun exposure. Do not apply sunscreen to a healing tattoo; instead, cover it with clothing and keep it out of the sun if possible. Once fully healed, be sure to use high SPF sunblock on your tattoo when exposed to the sun.

  • Keep your pets away from your new tattoo.

  • Avoid using thick, petroleum-based products, such as Vaseline, Aquaphor, or A&D Ointment. Applying these too thickly on your tattoo can trap bacteria on your tattoo. If you have very dry skin and need to use these you may, however, make sure to use a very thin layer, and only use for the first 3-5 days. After that, switch to regular moisturizer.

  • Wear loose fitting clothing while healing your tattoo. Try to reduce friction to the area as much as possible.

  • Wash your bedsheets frequently while your tattoo is healing.

 

How Will I Know When My Tattoo is Fully Healed?

Your tattoo will be fully healed when all scabbing has resolved, and the skin is matte and completely flat. Sometimes, after the initial scabbing/healing process, the skin of your tattoo will appear a bit “shiny” and still be a bit raised – this is considered a very newly healed tattoo, but not fully healed. When your tattoo is fully healed, it will be completely flat and indistinguishable from your non-tattooed skin if felt with your eyes closed. It can take up between 4-6 weeks or possibly even longer for the tattoo to reach this fully healed state, depending on the location and the nature of the tattoo.

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My Personal Recommendation for Tattoo Aftercare

This is completely optional, but my favorite and most recommended tattoo-specific aftercare brand is Hustle Butter. I highly recommend their tattoo aftercare balm, especially for clients with very dry or sensitive skin. They also have a good antibacterial foaming soap. You can get both of these on Amazon; just search “Hustle Butter”.

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