Treat your new tattoo with care
This is a specific aftercare for the tattoo advised by me, every step is fundamental and important for a good healing. Please follow it. If you have any problem or doubts, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Tattoo Aftercare: General Information
1. Keep It Clean (But Gentle)
- Wash your hands before touching your tattoo
- Gently clean it 2–3 times a day with lukewarm water + fragrance-free soap
- Pat dry with a clean towel/ single use paper towel (don’t rub)
Avoid harsh soaps or scrubbing—it can damage healing skin.
2. Moisturize (But Don’t Overdo It)
- Use a thin layer of tattoo aftercare ointment or unscented lotion
- Apply 2–3 times daily
- Too much can clog pores and slow healing
Look for fragrance-free products—your skin is extra sensitive.
3. Avoid Sun, Water & Friction
- Keep it out of direct sunlight (UV fades ink and irritates skin)
- No swimming, baths, or hot tubs for ~2–3 weeks
- Wear loose clothing to prevent rubbing
Showers are fine—just don’t soak it.
4. Don’t Pick or Scratch
- Your tattoo will peel, flake, and itch—this is normal
- Do NOT pick scabs or scratch
- Picking can cause patchy ink or scarring
If it itches, lightly tap it or apply moisturizer.
5. Follow the Healing Timeline
- Days 1–3: Redness, swelling, tenderness
- Days 4–10: Peeling and itching
- Weeks 2–4: Outer layer looks healed
- Up to 6 weeks+: Deeper skin fully heals
Even if it looks healed early, keep caring for it.
Signs Something’s Wrong
Watch for:
- Excessive redness or swelling after a few days
- Pus or unusual discharge
- Severe pain or fever
Method 2 : Adhesive Wrap /Second Skin
Before reading this advice, make sure you know General Rules on healing tattoo or follow this link : Aftercare
Please keep your Second Skin (adhesive bandage) on for as long as advised by your artist. This can vary from removing it the next day to keeping it on for several days. The exact duration depends on how much fluid your tattoo produces, which varies from person to person and tattoo to tattoo.
DAY 1–3: Second Skin Phase
Leave the adhesive wrap on your tattoo. During this time, the bandage will collect excess ink, blood, and plasma—this is completely normal.
- Avoid removing or lifting the wrap unless it becomes compromised (peeling, leaking, or damaged)
- You may shower, but avoid soaking the tattoo
- Do not apply any creams or wash the tattoo while the bandage is on
If the wrap fills excessively with fluid or starts to leak, remove it, gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap, pat dry, and either reapply a new adhesive bandage (if provided) or switch to standard aftercare.
DAY 3–5: Removal & First Clean
Carefully remove the Second Skin (best done in the shower under warm water to reduce discomfort).
- Gently wash the tattoo
- Pat dry with a clean towel
- Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free balm or lotion
At this stage, your tattoo no longer needs to be covered. Allow it to breathe while keeping it clean and lightly moisturised.
DAY 5–7: Early Healing
Continue washing your tattoo 2–3 times daily and applying a small amount of moisturiser.
- Some light peeling or flaking may begin
- This is a normal part of the healing process
- Do not pick or scratch the area
AFTER 7 DAYS: Peeling Stage
Your tattoo may continue to peel as the top layer of damaged skin sheds naturally.
- Keep cleaning 1–2 times daily
- Continue applying moisturiser as needed
- Avoid picking at any flakes to prevent patchy healing
Tattoo Aftercare : Pad
Before reading this advice, make sure you know General Rules on healing tattoo or follow this link : Aftercare
Following this, wash your tattoo and apply a thin layer of balm/cream twice a day for the next 2 weeks.
DAY 1–2: Pad Phase
Please keep the pad for the evening and night after tattoo session. On the next day, first thing in the morning , remove the pad using clean hands, wash the tattoo with warm water and antibacterial soap to remove excess ink and plasma, and rinse it with cold water. To dry the tattoo after washing use a clean single use paper towel (always dab dry, never rub over the tattoo). Give your tattoo 15 mins to air dry completely. After that use cream/balm to moisturise the tattooed area. Always wash the tattoo in a shower, never soak in the bath.
When you’re at home , there is no need of covering your fresh tattoo as air helps the healing process. Just please make sure there is no dried plasma. You should wash your tattoo every 4/5 hours , repeating the cleaning, drying, moisturising as before. If the tattoo is still “leaking with plasma” you can loosely cover it with the second pad provided or cling film for the second night.
DAY 2–5: Drying
Repeat the cleaning process every morning and 2/3 times during the day. If the tattoo is still “leaking” give it an extra 24 hours of air dry (no cream/no water), just let it dry out.
AFTER 5/7 DAYS: Peeling Stage
Tattoo might start to peel off. This means top layer of the skin, that was damaged during the tattooing process will dry and form tiny flakes. This is a natural process and it usually stops after a week. During this time clean your tattoo 2/3 times
Tattoo Aftercare : Cling film
Before reading this advice, make sure you know General Rules on healing tattoo or follow this link : Aftercare
Following this, wash your tattoo and apply a thin layer of balm/cream twice a day for the next 2 weeks.This is where the substance of your article begins to take shape.
DAY 1
Please keep the cling film on for 2/3 hours. After this time remove the cling film using clean hands, wash the tattoo with warm water and antibacterial soap to remove excess ink and plasma, and rinse it with cold water. To dry the tattoo after washing use a clean single use paper towel (always dab dry, never rub over the tattoo). Give your tattoo 15 mins to air dry completely. After that use cream/balm to moisturise the tattooed area. Before going to sleep cover your tattoo with a fresh cling film sheet. Keep it on until the following morning. Always wash the tattoo in a shower, never soak in the bath.
DAY 2–3
Remove the cling film in the morning , wash your tattoo, let it dry and apply balm. When you’re at home , there is no need of covering your fresh tattoo as air helps the healing process. Just please make sure there is no dried plasma. You should wash your tattoo every 4/5 hours , repeating the cleaning, drying, moisturising as before. If the tattoo is still “leaking with plasma” you can loosely cover it with the cling film for the second night.
Repeat the cleaning process every morning and 2/3 times during the day. If the tattoo is still “leaking” give it an extra 24 hours of air dry (no cream/no water), just let it dry out.
AFTER 5/7 DAYS: Peeling Stage
Tattoo might start to peel off. This means top layer of the skin, that was damaged during the tattooing process will dry and form tiny flakes. This is a natural process and it usually stops after a week. During this time clean your tattoo 2/3 times per day.