Questions? Call (512) 555-0186

New flash on the wall · Free consultations

sigil

(512) 555-0186

Book now

Aftercare

How to heal it right

The first month decides how your tattoo or piercing looks for the next twenty years. Keep it clean, leave it alone and call us if anything worries you.

New tattoo

The first four weeks

Days 1 to 3

Leave the wrap on

Your artist covers the tattoo with a clear, breathable film. Some fluid and ink collect under it; that’s normal.

  • Keep it on for three to five days
  • If it leaks or lifts, take it off early
  • Remove it in a warm shower

Days 4 to 14

Wash & moisturize

Two or three times a day, with clean hands and a fragrance-free soap.

  • Pat dry with a paper towel
  • A thin layer of unscented lotion
  • Loose clothes, clean sheets

Weeks 3 & 4

Let it flake

It peels like a mild sunburn and may look cloudy. That clears as the new skin settles.

  • Never pick or scratch
  • Tap it when it itches
  • SPF 30+ once healed, for life

For the first two weeks, skip pools, hot tubs, the sea, long baths, saunas, tanning and tight clothes rubbing on the tattoo.

New piercing

Less is more

Every day

Rinse with saline

Spray sterile saline wound wash on the front and back once or twice a day.

  • Let it soak in, then dry with gauze
  • Rinse off shampoo and soap in the shower
  • Don’t twist or turn the jewelry

Avoid

Leave it alone

Most irritation comes from touching, snagging and sleeping on a new piercing.

  • No sleeping on it; try a travel pillow
  • No alcohol, peroxide, oils or ointments
  • No swimming for the first month

After 4 to 8 weeks

Come back to downsize

Once swelling goes down, we swap your post for a shorter one, free with new jewelry.

  • Book a free check-up
  • Don’t change jewelry yourself while healing
  • Bumps? See us before trying home remedies

Healing times

How long it really takes

Typical times for a healthy adult. A piercing can look healed on the outside months before it is.

Tattoo

Surface heals in two to four weeks; fully settled in two to three months.

2–4 weeks

Earlobe

Keep the starter stud in until your check-up.

6–8 weeks

Nostril

Wait before switching to a ring or hoop.

3–6 months

Septum

Usually heals quickly; leave the ring in place.

2–3 months

Helix, flat, conch, daith

Cartilage is slow; avoid sleeping on that side.

6–12 months

Industrial

Two cartilage piercings healing at once.

9–12 months

Navel

Avoid high waistbands rubbing on it.

6–12 months

Something not right?

Call us, and see a doctor

Redness that spreads after day three, heat, swelling that gets worse, pus or a fever are signs of infection. Don’t take out a piercing’s jewelry; call us and see a doctor the same day.

Call (512) 555-0186
Book a free check-up

From the journal

Advice from the studio

All articles