Aftercare
Healing
Your new tattoo will take around 4 weeks to fully heal. During this time, it's completely normal for it to feel dry, itchy, or begin flaking. As tempting as it may be, do not pick, scratch, or peel your tattoo, as this can affect the final result and slow down the healing process.
Exercise
Avoid heavy workouts, excessive sweating, or activities that cause a lot of friction over the tattoo for at least two weeks. Gentle daily activities are fine, but give your skin time to recover before returning to intense exercise.
Protect Your Tattoo
Avoid wearing tight or abrasive clothing over your tattoo whenever possible. Fresh tattoos are sensitive, and excessive rubbing can cause irritation and interfere with healing. Try to keep the area clean and allow it to breathe.
Sun & Water
For the first two weeks, avoid swimming, baths, lakes, hot tubs, saunas, or anything that soaks your tattoo. Showers are perfectly fine. Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight and avoid tanning beds until it has completely healed.
Keep it Clean
Keep your tattoo away from animals, pet hair, dirty surfaces, and anything that could introduce bacteria while it's healing. Don't let anyone touch your tattoo, and only handle it yourself with freshly washed hands.
Recommended Lotions
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Cicaplast Baume B5
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Lubriderm Unscented
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Aveeno Unscented
Bandages
Different types of bandages require different aftercares, check below more information for the type of bandage used on your tattoo.
Leave clear second skin bandage on for four to six days. You might notice ink/blood/plasma pooling under the bandage, and that will make your tattoo look blurred - do not freak out. That is normal and part of the healing process. Once you remove the second skin, your tattoo will be fine underneath.
Do not submerge your tattoo in water: no baths, swimming, hot tubs, or saunas.
Do not work out or do any activities that involve excessive sweating. If sweat gets trapped underneath the second skin, remove it and follow the Traditional Aftercare below.
When removing the bandage, gently and slowly lift one corner, allowing lukewarm water between your skin and the bandage. Peel the second skin back onto itself to avoid pulling or stretching the skin. You will likely see pigment and dead skin on the bandage which is completely normal.
Second Skin
After Removal
Wash gently with non-scented soap and pat dry with a paper towel. Apply a thin layer of non-scented lotion twice per day 2 for 10-14 days and when the tattoo is feeling dry and tight.
If any adhesive is left behind after removal, do not force it off. It will come off on its own after a few washes.
If you notice irritation on the skin around the bandage, peel the bandage off and follow the Traditional Aftercare instructions below.
Traditional Bandage
Keep your bandage on for at least 4 hours, but do not leave it on for longer than 8 hours.
Once you remove the bandage, wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo. Gently wash the area with lukewarm water and an unscented, fragrance-free soap, then pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Avoid rubbing the tattoo.
For the first 24 hours, allow your tattoo to breathe and do not apply any lotion.
After the first 24 hours, begin applying a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer twice a day for 10–14 days. Remember, less is more—your skin should absorb the lotion completely, and it shouldn't sit visibly on the tattoo.
Continue washing your tattoo twice a day, ideally once in the morning and once before bed, or anytime it has been exposed to dirt, sweat, or pet hair.
Healing typically takes around 4 weeks, though everyone's skin heals at a different pace. If you have any questions or concerns during the healing process, don't hesitate to reach out—I'm always happy to help!