Take Care of Your Ink: Tattoo Aftercare Tips and Advice

TATTOO AFTERCARE PROTOCOL

1. BANDAGE / SECOND SKIN

STANDARD BANDAGE: Keep it on for at least 1 hour (up to 4–5 hours if needed for protection). Remove it once you are in a clean environment.

SECOND SKIN / SANIDERM / GEL: Keep the first film on for up to 24 hours, unless your artist gives different instructions. Some blood, plasma and ink under an intact film is normal. Remove it sooner if it leaks, the seal opens, water gets underneath, or you develop significant burning, itching or rash. Remove gently under lukewarm running water, peeling the film slowly back over itself. If instructed to apply a new film, wash and completely dry the tattoo first. Never reuse film and follow your artist/product instructions for the replacement film.

2. WASHING

Always wash your hands first. After the bandage is removed, gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free liquid soap. Use clean fingertips only. Wash about 1–2 times daily and whenever the tattoo becomes contaminated. Do not scrub or use washcloths, loofahs, alcohol, peroxide, exfoliants or harsh antibacterial products.

3. DRYING

Gently pat dry with a clean disposable paper towel or briefly air-dry. Do not rub. There is no need to leave the tattoo uncovered for an hour to “breathe.” If applying new second skin, the tattoo and surrounding skin must be completely dry first.

4. MOISTURIZING

After the final second skin is removed, apply a very thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer when the tattoo feels dry or tight. It should feel lightly moisturized, never greasy, wet or sticky. If using Aquaphor during early healing, use only an extremely thin film, then transition to a lightweight fragrance- free moisturizer. Avoid fragrance, essential oils, retinoids, exfoliating acids and antibiotic ointments unless prescribed.

5. NORMAL HEALING

Mild redness, tenderness, warmth, swelling and a small amount of clear/plasma-like fluid can be normal at first. Flaking, peeling and itching are common as healing progresses. Do not scratch, pick, peel or remove scabs. Let peeling and scabs shed naturally. Thick or worsening scabbing is not something to ignore.

6. WATER & CLEANING

Short showers are fine. Avoid prolonged hot water directly on the tattoo. Until fully healed, no swimming, baths, hot tubs, ocean, lakes, rivers or prolonged soaking. Keep the tattoo clean, but do not over-wash it (Do not submerge your tattoo in water of any kind)

7. ACTIVITY & CLOTHING

During early healing, minimize heavy sweating, excessive stretching, rubbing and contamination. Wear clean, loose clothing when possible. Do not let a fresh tattoo contact dirty gym equipment, shared mats or other contaminated surfaces.

8. SUN & LONG-TERM CARE

Keep a healing tattoo out of direct sunlight. Do not use sunscreen as a reason to expose an open or healing tattoo to the sun. Once completely healed, use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ when exposed to sunlight. Protecting and moisturizing your skin helps preserve the tattoo’s clarity and color.

9. WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE

Normal irritation should gradually improve, not worsen. Seek medical care for spreading redness, increasing swelling, pain or heat, pus or foul drainage, fever or chills, red streaks, extensive blistering or a significant rash. Difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat is an emergency.