TATTOO AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS  

These are the aftercare steps we recommend you take to look after your fresh tattoo. 

These tattoo aftercare instructions are for your own good and will keep your new piece of art clean and looking radiant. 

Here are the basics, day-by-day tattoo aftercare instructions:  

DAY 1  

 

  • If you are using cling wrap, remove the wrap 2-3 hours after completion of the tattoo, allowing the tattoo to breathe. Wash under warm soapy water (only use neutral soaps or a tattoo cleaning foam) with a light circular motion to remove excess plasma, dried blood and other bodily fluids. DO NOT SCRUB YOUR TATTOO (you won't because it will hurt anyway) Pat dry with paper towel and leave to air out until bed time, then re-cover with cling wrap to protect your tattoo while you sleep.  (Make sure the cling wrap completely covers your tattoo) 

  • If your artist used specialized tattoo film, keep it on for the first 24 hours. 

 

TIP 1: Use clean sheets & towels when sleeping 
 
Use clean old sheets you don’t care much about in case you move in your sleep and stain them. For your health and for the sheet’s sake!  

TIP 2: Don't dry your tattoo with a towel, if you do, don't share it and put it straight into the wash afterwards.  
 

The first 2-3 days the tattooed area should be treated like an open wound, so you have to be extra careful to avoid infection. 

DAY 2 

  • If using cling wrap, remove it and don't use it anymore. At this point, you can start with the washing and moisturising routine. 

  • If using protective tattoo film: remove the wrap under warm water, best done in the shower. Wash under warm soapy water (only use neutral soaps or a tattoo cleaning foam) with a light circular motion to remove excess plasma, dried blood and other bodily fluids. DO NOT SCRUB YOUR TATTOO (you won't because it will hurt anyway). Pat dry with paper towel and apply new tattoo film that your tattoo artist gave you. That film now stays on for the next 6 days. 

 

WASHING & MOISTURISING ROUTINE: wash once a day, and apply tattoo balm on the tattooed area when it's completely dry. 

TIP: When washing the tattoo, do it with your hands. Gently, but firmly. 

DAY 3 – IF USING CLING WRAP 

  • Wash the tattoo with water and cleanser or soap once a day 

  • After your tattoo is clean and dry, apply a very thin layer of your tattoo balm 

TIP: When applying ointment, don’t use excessive amounts. 
 
A thin, consistent layer should be enough. Rub it in so that it isn’t clumped on; you should have a very thin, even layer on your tattoo. 
 

Example of thin, consistent layer:

Tattoo_balm_thin_layer_480x480.png

Example of too much ointment: 

Tattoo_balm_excessive_layer_480x480.png

Gently wipe off any excess with paper towel. 
 

DAYS 4 TO 15 – USING CLING WRAP 

  • Repeat the same washing routine as the days before.  

  • Keep applying balm after washing the tattooed area.  

REMEMBER:    

  • Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo. You should treat it like an it’s an open wound for the first two days, susceptible to all sorts of germs and bacteria, so you should always practice good hygiene.   

  • Use cold to lukewarm water when washing your tattoo. Hot water could potentially harm the tattooed area.    

  • Use only your hands to wash your tattoo. Towels, washcloths, or loofahs are too harsh and will exfoliate your raw skin. Do not scrub.   

  • If you are going to dry your tattoo, make sure you use paper towel and dispose of after use.    

  • Do not share your tattoo balm, so there won't be crossed infection between different tattoos. 

DAY 8 – USING TATTOO FILM 

  • Remove film in the shower under warm water and wash with warm soapy water (same as DAY 2)  

  • Start Washing and Moisturising routine and continue for 7 days. 

 

REMEMBER:    

  • Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo. You should treat it like an it’s an open wound for the first two days, susceptible to all sorts of germs and bacteria, so you should always practice good hygiene.   

  • Use cold to lukewarm water when washing your tattoo. Hot water could potentially harm the tattooed area.    

  • Use only your hands to wash your tattoo. Towels, washcloths, or loofahs are too harsh and will exfoliate your raw skin. Do not scrub.   

  • If you are going to dry your tattoo, make sure you use paper towel and dispose of after use.    

  • Do not share your tattoo balm, so there won't be crossed infection between different tattoos. 

 

IMPORTANT: Your tattoo is not safe from germs or bacteria until after it’s scabbed and peeled, and even then, it is still important that you keep up with aftercare. 

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TATTOO AFTERCARE 

- YOUR TATTOO MIGHT BE SWOLLEN 

When you first remove the bandage your tattoo artist put on, you should expect your new tattoo to look swollen, red, bloody, and sometimes bruised. 

These are normal, temporary, bodily reactions to trauma, so don’t worry! 

- EXPECT THE AREA TO GET A BIT MESSY 

Your new tattoo will ooze all sorts of fluids the first few days including blood, clear plasma, lymphatic fluid, and ink. These are signs your body recognizes the trauma, and is sending cells to repair it.  

Your tattoo might not look so great the first few days, but you’ll have to trust the process. 
 

- EXPECT SCABBING AND ITCHING 

Scabs are a protective layer that covers a wound on your skin/tattoo. It keeps out debris, bacteria, and germs. 

If scabs are forming, that’s a sign that your tattoo is healing properly and your body is doing what it can to repair itself. 

The downside to this protective layer is that it may itch a bit, but this should only last a few days. DO NOT ITCH YOUR TATTOO OR PICK THE SCABS 
 
 

- YOU MIGHT FEEL UNDER-THE-WEATHER 

Your body may feel under-the-weather for a couple days, especially if you got a bigger tattoo. You might even feel like you’ve got a cold, which is surprisingly normal. 

The stress that you’ve put your body through can affect your immune system, and increase your chances of getting sick, but in a few days you should be feeling good as new! 

Keep in mind, the more often you get tattooed, the easier the process will be. 

STAGES OF TATTOO HEALING 

Everyone’s healing process looks a little different, depending on their age, hygiene, and tattoo placement. 

Some places like your ribcage, where there isn’t a lot of fat or muscle, might take longer to heal than say, a bicep. Either way, everyone goes through similar healing processes.  

This is an outline of a typical tattoo healing process: 

  • Days 1-6: Your fresh tattoo will look red, swollen, and will still be oozing blood, plasma, lymphatic fluid, and ink. This is the messiest time during the healing process, but the oozing should subside after a few days. Scabs will begin to form over your tattoo.   

  • Days 7-14: The scabs might become itchy, and your skin will start to flake off. This is one of the most important parts of the healing process, because scabs and dead skin falling off will reveal new, healthier skin underneath.  

 Your tattoo will appear dry and dull during this time. Keep it moisturised. 

  • Days 15-30: After the scabs and dead skin have flaked off, your tattoo is now fully healed. You shouldn’t experience any more swelling, bleeding, or ink leaching. 

Don’t fret if your tattoo still doesn’t look very crisp and bright; the deeper layers of your skin still need to repair themselves, which is why aftercare is still important even after your tattoo is healed.  

 

HELP YOUR TATTOO HEAL WITH THESE TIPS  

Here are some tattoo tips you can follow to help your healing process along:  

  • Plasma that oozes from your new tattoo is what causes wounds to scab. Gently pat away wet plasma to keep it from forming big scabs that could dry out and crack. 

  • Use cold to lukewarm water to wash your tattoo. Water that is too hot can open up your pores and cause ink to leach out.    

  • If your skin is extra sensitive and hurts to pat dry after washing, you can use a hair dryer on a cool setting to dry your tattoo instead.   

  • Use old clean bed sheets that you don’t care about the first few nights after getting your tattoo. Your new tattoo will probably leak blood and ink, and stain your sheets.   

  • Make sure your tattoo is completely dry before you apply tattoo balm. If not, it could trap moisture between your skin and the ointment, causing scabs to swell or become gooey.   

  • Drink LOTS of water. Your tattoo only looks as good as your skin. The more you hydrate, the better, and more vivid your tattoo will look. 

  • Do NOT listen to the advice of friends or family. A lot of people might say they know ways to quicken your tattoo’s healing process, but always stick to your artist’s instructions.  

WHAT NOT TO DO 

There are many ways that tattoo healing can go wrong, and it could result in an infection or even a ruined tattoo. 

You should avoid the following to maintain a healthy, fabulous-looking tattoo:    

Do NOT...  

  • Scratch, peel, pick, rub your tattoo  

  • Soak in a hot tub or go swimming  

  • Expose your tattoo to the sun for the first 2-3 weeks  

  • Wear tight clothing over your new tattoo, like bra straps or waistbands  

  • Exercise the first few days  

  • Shave on or near your new tattoo  

  • Wait to see a doctor. If your tattoo feels or looks infected, see a doctor ASAP  

SIGNS OF INFECTION 

Differentiating what is normal tattoo healing versus what you should seek medical attention for can be tricky. 

Lucky for us, infections from tattoos are very rare these days. However, they are still a real possibility. 

If you experience the following, seek medical attention and contact your tattoo artist. 

Here is a list of things that are NOT normal:   

  • Intense pain  

  • Worsening swelling  

  • Pus draining  

  • Firm bumps (granulomas)  

  • Excessive bleeding  

  • Photosensitivity (sunlight is painful)  

  • Fever, chills, sweats  

 

Sticking to these aftercare instructions will ensure that your tattoo will have the best result for the longest time. It’s your responsibility to look after it after we have done our job.