Tattoo Aftercare Guide: How to Heal Your Tattoo Perfectly

First Things First: Right After Getting Tattooed

When to take off the bandage:

• Your artist put on a bandage for a reason. Usually, take it off after 2-4 hours. Some newer bandages can stay on longer, so listen to your artist.
• Wash your hands before touching anything! Then, peel off the bandage slowly. If it’s stuck, use warm water. Blood and extra ink on the bandage are normal. Your tattoo might look cloudy – that’s okay, it’s just starting to heal.

Wash it Gently:

• Use lukewarm water and a gentle, unscented antibacterial soap. Liquid soap’s better than bar soap because it’s cleaner.
• Don’t blast your tattoo with water. Instead, cup water and pour it over it. Use your fingers to gently rub the soap. No washcloths or rough stuff.
• Pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Regular towels can have germs, and they might be too rough. Let it air dry a bit before putting anything on it.

Put on a thin layer of ointment:

• What you put on your tattoo matters. Your artist might tell you to use A&D ointment, Aquaphor, or a tattoo cream. Don’t use petroleum jelly; it can mess with the ink.
• Use a really thin layer – you should still see the tattoo. Too much can cause problems. Put it on 2-3 times a day, but always with clean hands and on a clean tattoo. After about a week, change to an unscented lotion.

Don’t Wash It Too Much:

• Keeping it clean is key, but too much washing can slow things down. More than 2-3 times a day can dry it out and cause problems.
• Just wash it in the morning, at night, and after you sweat a lot. If your tattoo feels tight or is getting thick scabs, you might be washing it too much or using hot water. Warm water is better.

Daily Tattoo Stuff

Wash Your Hands First:

• Always wash up before touching your tattoo. Use antibacterial soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Your hands get all kinds of stuff on them during the day, so this is key. Think of your new tattoo as a cut that needs to stay clean.

Pat Dry with Paper Towels:

• Paper towels are cleaner than regular ones. They’re single-use, so they don’t spread germs.
• Pat your tattoo dry gently. No rubbing. Get all the water, even in the tiny spots.

Lotion It Up Twice a Day:

• Keep your tattoo from drying out by using an unscented lotion twice a day – morning and night.
• Lotions for sensitive skin are usually a good choice. Avoid anything with scents, dyes, or petroleum. Good choices are Cetaphil, Eucerin, or tattoo lotions like Hustle Butter.
• Use a small amount and rub it in until it’s not there anymore. You want your tattoo to feel a bit moist, but not sticky.

Food and Drinks to Help it Heal

Eat Protein:

• Protein helps your skin fix itself. Eat lean meats like chicken or fish, or things like lentils or tofu. Eggs and Greek yogurt are good too.

Drink Water:

• Staying hydrated helps your tattoo heal faster. Try to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. Skip the booze and caffeine; they dry you out.

Get Sleep:

• Sleep is when your body heals. Aim for 7-9 hours a night. If your tattoo touches your sheets, use clean ones and try not to sleep right on it.

Take Vitamins:

• Vitamins can help your tattoo. Vitamin C is great for making collagen. Vitamin E protects skin cells. Zinc helps your body heal. And vitamin D is key if you don’t get enough sun. Ask your doctor before trying new stuff.

Things That Can Mess Up Your Tattoo

Don’t Pick or Scratch:

• Picking at scabs is a big no-no. Scabs protect the ink while you heal. Picking them can make it fade and scar.
• The peeling can be itchy, but don’t scratch! Pat it gently or use some lotion. Wear loose clothes to keep your hands off.

Stay Out of the Sun:

• Sun can fade your tattoo and hurt the skin. New tattoos are super sensitive.
• Keep it covered when you’re out, mostly for the first few weeks. Then, use strong sunscreen. Even cloudy days can mess with your tattoo.

Don’t Soak It:

• Soaking in pools, hot tubs, or baths can cause infections. Pools have stuff that irritates the skin, and hot tubs are full of bacteria. Even baths at home can soften scabs.
• Take quick showers with warm water. Don’t spray the water right at your tattoo, and pat it dry gently.

What’s Coming: The Healing Process

Week 1:

• Your tattoo will be red and a bit swollen. It’ll feel sore, like a sunburn. There will be some plasma and blood making it shiny.
• Wash it gently with antibacterial soap and pat it dry. Use a thin layer of ointment 2-3 times a day. Don’t soak it.

Weeks 2-3:

• Your tattoo will start to peel like a sunburn. It might look weird or patchy. Itching is normal, but don’t scratch! Pat or tap the area gently. Use lotion to keep it from drying out.

Month 1-2:

• The top should be healed. The colors will start to look normal. The tattoo might still feel a bit different from your skin.
• Keep using lotion every day. Moist skin helps the colors pop.

When’s it all healed?

Your tattoo’s healed when the skin feels normal, the colors are sharp, and there’s no more flaking or scabbing. You can go back to your normal routine without any extra care.

Most tattoos take 6-8 weeks to heal, but bigger ones might take longer.