A tattoo is an open wound for the first few days and a healing one for about a month. Good aftercare is simple: keep it clean, keep it lightly moisturized, and keep your hands, the sun and the swimming pool away from it. Here is what to expect, week by week.
Day one: leave the wrap alone
We cover most tattoos with a clear, breathable film. Leave it on for as long as your artist told you, usually three to five days. Some fluid and ink will collect under it; that’s normal. If it lifts at the edges or leaks, take it off early and switch to washing.
Days 2 to 7: wash, pat, moisturize
- Wash with clean hands, lukewarm water and a fragrance-free soap, two or three times a day.
- Pat dry with a clean paper towel, never a bath towel.
- Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion. If it looks shiny, you’ve used too much.
- Sleep on clean sheets and wear loose clothes over it.
Weeks 2 and 3: the itchy, flaky stage
The tattoo will peel like a mild sunburn and may look cloudy or faded. Don’t pick, scratch or peel the flakes; that pulls ink out. Tap it gently or apply a little lotion when it itches. The cloudiness clears as the new skin settles.
Week 4: almost there
The surface is healed, but the deeper layers need a few more weeks. Keep using sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher whenever it’s exposed, now and for life. Sun is the main reason tattoos fade and blur.
For the first two weeks, avoid
- Swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes and the sea.
- Long baths and saunas. Quick showers are fine.
- Direct sun and tanning beds.
- Tight clothes and gym equipment rubbing on the area.
Redness that spreads after day three, heat, swelling that gets worse or a fever are not normal. Call us, and see a doctor. Once your tattoo has healed, book a free touch-up within six months if any spot needs it.
Leave a Reply