Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Now, you have your fresh tattoo, and you want to take good care of it! From this point on, your artist is not responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don’t take proper care of it. It is very important that you follow these guidelines. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster if the proper aftercare is not taken.

Leave That Bandage Alone!

Your artist took the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason – to keep air-born bacteria from invading your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still a wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of two hours.

Excitement of having a new tattoo will make you want to remove the bandage so you can show your friends, but your friends will just have to wait. The only exception to this rule is if your artist covered your tattoo with saran wrap or plastic wrap. This is extremely detrimental to a tattoo, so it should be removed immediately. You’re better off not having any covering than suffocating your tattoo with plastic wrap.

Wash and Treat

After you remove the bandage, wash your tattoo using lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap (Satin and Provon are highly recommended). Avoid Dial, as it is too harsh—generic antibacterial soaps are actually better. Wash away ointment, blood, and plasma to completely clean the area.

Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Use your hand only. If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, that is plasma. Remove as much as possible—if it dries, it creates scabs. Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel (do not rub).

Apply a thin layer of ointment such as Aquaphor, Bacitracin, or Bag Balm. Do not use Neosporin, as it can cause allergic reactions that lead to bumps—and loss of ink.

Bathing, Showering & Swimming

Showering with a new tattoo is fine—just don’t soak it. Avoid baths, hot tubs, and swimming for at least 2 weeks. If soap or shampoo touches your tattoo, rinse quickly with water. Pools, lakes, and the ocean should also be avoided during healing.

Scabbing and Peeling

A few days after getting your tattoo, you may notice peeling and some scabbing. This is normal. Apply warm moist compresses for 5 minutes, 2–3 times daily, to soften scabs until they fall off naturally. Do not apply ointment or lotion to a softened scab.

Itching is also common. Do not pick or scratch your tattoo. If it itches, slap it lightly. If it peels, apply lotion. If it scabs, leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and this is not the time to ruin it.

Protection From the Sun

After your tattoo has healed, always protect it from UV rays. The sun can fade and damage tattoos quickly. Apply at least 30 SPF sunblock before long exposure. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for years.