Follow these steps closely to help your new tattoo heal cleanly and hold its detail.
Keep the bandage or film your artist applied on for the time they recommend (commonly a few hours), then remove it gently.
Clean the tattoo with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free, mild soap. Use clean hands only — no washcloths or sponges. Pat dry with a clean paper towel; don't rub.
Once dry, apply a thin layer of the aftercare product your artist recommends. A thin, barely-there layer — over-moisturising can trap moisture and slow healing.
Cover the tattoo or keep it in shade while healing, and use high-SPF sunscreen once healed — sun exposure fades tattoos and can irritate fresh skin.
Skip baths, pools, saunas and the ocean until fully healed. Soaking softens the scabbing process and raises infection risk. Quick showers are fine.
Peeling and light itching are normal. Let scabs fall off naturally — picking can pull out ink and cause scarring.
Keep fabric from rubbing against the area, especially for the first week or two.
Hold off on intense gym sessions or activities that cause heavy sweating for about a week, or as your artist advises.
Some redness, mild swelling and warmth in the first few days is normal. Contact the studio — or see a doctor — if you notice spreading redness, increasing pain after the first couple of days, pus or a foul smell, fever, or a rash that doesn't settle. When in doubt, ask us first rather than guessing.
