Taking care of your new tattoo is crucial for proper healing and preserving its quality. Follow these aftercare steps closely to ensure your ink stays clean, vibrant, and beautiful.

Immediately After Your Tattoo

Remove the bandage after 1–3 days, as directed by your artist.
Tattoos are open wounds, and like all wounds, they need air to heal properly.

Cleaning Your Tattoo

• Gently wash your tattoo with warm (not hot) water and non-scented antibacterial soap (e.g., Dial).
• Carefully remove all blood and plasma — this helps prevent scabbing.
• DO NOT scrub your tattoo. Avoid washcloths or loofahs for at least two weeks.
• Pat dry with a clean, soft cloth or paper towel.
• Let it air dry for about 20 minutes until the skin feels slightly tight or dry. This allows moisture to evaporate, helping the healing process.

Moisturizing & Ointment

• After drying, apply a very thin layer of ointment. Recommended options:
  • Non-scented lotion
  • Hustle Butter
  • Other tattoo-specific aftercare balms
• Only use enough to make it slightly shiny. Too much traps bacteria and can cause infection.
• Dab off excess with a paper towel. The tattoo should feel moist, not greasy.
• Do NOT re-bandage unless you’re swimming.

Repeat Daily

• For the first 3 days, repeat the cycle of washing, drying, and applying ointment 3–4 times a day (or as needed while tender).
• After 2–3 days, switch to a non-scented moisturizer and apply twice daily for the next 2 weeks.

Healing Tips & Warnings

• Always keep your tattoo clean and moisturized.
• Avoid long showers, baths, or any soaking (including swimming, hot tubs, and saunas) for 2 weeks.
• Expect the tattoo to peel like a sunburn. DO NOT scratch or pick at it — this can remove ink and cause scarring.
• Itching is normal. Scratching is not.

Sun Exposure

• Avoid direct sun on your tattoo while it’s healing.
• Never apply sunblock to a fresh tattoo.
• After healing, use high-quality sunblock to keep your ink vibrant.
• Sun damage can cause fading, scabbing, and longer healing time.

Approved Aftercare Products

I go into more detail and provide links to products that I think will work well on my Recommended Products page. If you’re curious for more suggestions, check it out!

Healing Tattoos

If you suspect or experience anything listed in the NOT normal category or face any other serious issues with the tattoo, immediately call your doctor or go to a physician to get it checked out!

How to remove second skin:

I’d like to help you feel confident caring for your new tattoo and give it the best healing it can get. If you’d like more details about any of the aftercare instructions that I’ve listed here, please reach out with your questions.