Tattoo Aftercare: The First Two Weeks

A great tattoo needs great aftercare. The first two weeks matter most. I can spend hours pulling clean lines and building smooth shading, but once you walk out of the studio, the healing is in your hands. The good news is that aftercare is not complicated. It is mostly about being gentle, keeping things clean and leaving your new tattoo alone to do its thing. Here’s the routine we give every client.

Every artist has a slightly different routine, and that is fine. If your artist gave you different instructions, follow theirs, since they know the work they did and the products they used. What follows is the approach we use in our studio, refined over many years and many happy healed tattoos.

The first few hours

When you leave the studio, your tattoo will be covered. Depending on the piece, that may be a breathable wrap or a clear adhesive film. Follow the specific instructions we give you about how long to leave it on. As a general rule, a traditional wrap usually comes off after a few hours, while a clear film can stay on longer.

When it is time to remove the covering, do it gently, with clean hands. Peeling slowly in the shower with warm water running over the area can make it easier, especially with an adhesive film. Do not panic if you see a bit of ink, plasma or fluid under the wrap. That is normal for a fresh tattoo.

Keep it clean

Gently wash with unscented soap twice a day and pat dry. That is the heart of the routine, and it does more than anything else to help your skin heal well.

1. Wash your hands first. Always start with clean hands before touching your tattoo.
2. Use lukewarm water. Not hot, which can be uncomfortable and irritating.
3. Lather a mild, unscented soap in your hands and gently wash the tattoo with your fingertips. No washcloths, loofahs or scrubbing.
4. Rinse well so no soap is left behind.
5. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Bath towels can hold bacteria and leave lint behind.
6. Let it air dry for a few minutes before applying anything else.

Lotion, but not too much

Once your tattoo is clean and dry, apply a thin layer of unscented lotion. The key word is thin. You want the skin to look lightly moisturized, not shiny or greasy. Too much product can trap moisture and slow healing. If you can see a thick layer sitting on top, gently blot the extra away with a clean paper towel.

Avoid heavily scented products, and skip anything with glitter, sunscreen or strong ingredients for now. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, let us know before your session so we can talk about options.

Heal it well and it will look good for decades.

Mara, tattoo artist

I say this to every client because it is true. Two weeks of patience is a small price to pay for a tattoo that stays crisp and bright for the rest of your life.

Don’t pick

It will itch and flake. Let it. Picking pulls out ink. Somewhere around day four to day seven, most tattoos start to peel, a little like a sunburn. You may see small flakes of colored or black skin come off. That is normal, and it does not mean your tattoo is fading.

The itch can be intense, and I know how tempting it is to scratch. Don’t. Picking or scratching can pull ink out before the skin has healed, leaving patchy spots that need a touch-up. If the itch is driving you crazy, try gently tapping the area with clean fingers or applying a tiny bit more lotion. A cool, clean compress can help too.

Clothing and sleep

Wear loose, soft clothing over your new tattoo, and avoid fabrics that rub or stick. For the first few nights, use clean sheets and consider sleeping with an old T-shirt or a clean towel between you and the bedding. If fabric sticks to your tattoo in the morning, do not rip it off. Wet it gently with lukewarm water until it lets go.

Aftercare basics

Here’s the quick version to save on your phone or tape to your bathroom mirror:

• Wash gently twice a day
• Thin layer of unscented lotion
• No swimming for two weeks
• Keep it out of the sun

No swimming means pools, hot tubs, lakes and the ocean. Soaking a fresh tattoo can soften the healing skin and expose it to bacteria. Short showers are fine; long baths are not.

Out of the sun means covering up with loose clothing and staying in the shade. Sunscreen is not recommended on a fresh tattoo, so physical cover is your best friend. Once your tattoo is fully healed, use a good sunscreen on it every time it sees the sun. UV light is the biggest reason tattoos fade over the years.

Key takeaway: Wash gently, moisturize lightly, keep it covered from the sun and out of the water, and let it peel on its own.

Workouts, work and everyday life

Clients always ask whether they can go back to the gym. Light activity is usually fine, but for the first several days, avoid heavy sweating, tight gear rubbing the tattoo and workouts that stretch the area hard. Sweat and friction irritate fresh skin, and gym equipment is not exactly clean. If your tattoo is on a spot that bends a lot, like an elbow or knee, go easy on big movements for the first week.

The same goes for work. If your job involves dirt, grease, animals or chemicals, plan to keep your tattoo covered with clean, loose clothing and wash it gently as soon as your shift ends. Gardeners, mechanics, cooks and nurses all heal great tattoos every day. It just takes a little extra attention during those first two weeks.

Weeks two through four

After about two weeks, the surface of most tattoos looks healed, and the peeling is done. But the deeper layers of skin keep healing for several more weeks. Your tattoo may look a little cloudy or dull during this time, which is completely normal. That milky layer usually clears as the skin finishes settling.

Keep moisturizing lightly, keep protecting it from the sun and avoid heavy friction from things like backpack straps or tight gym clothes. Once a month has passed, most tattoos look the way they will for years to come. If anything healed unevenly, reach out, and we will schedule a touch-up.

When to see a doctor

General aftercare information, not medical advice. If a tattoo looks infected, see a doctor. Some redness, tenderness and mild swelling are normal in the first few days. But if redness spreads or gets worse, if the area feels hot, if you see pus or red streaks, or if you develop a fever, get medical care right away. It is also worth seeing a doctor if you notice a rash, bumps or intense itching that seems like an allergic reaction.

And please, let us know too. We want to hear how your healing is going, the good and the not so good. Send us a photo at any point during the first month if you are unsure about something. We would much rather answer a quick question than have you worry.

Take care of your new ink, and it will take care of you. Thank you for trusting our studio, and enjoy wearing your new piece.