Looking after your tattoo properly is essential. By following these simple aftercare instructions, you'll give your tattoo the best chance to heal well and stay looking its best for years to come.
Remember, your tattoo isn't just a piece of artwork – it's also an open wound. For the next few weeks, it will need a little care and attention while your skin heals.
You've invested your time, money, and endured the process to get your tattoo. Taking good care of it now is the final step in achieving the best possible result.
Failing to follow the recommended aftercare can affect both the appearance of your tattoo and the healing process. Poor aftercare may lead to colour loss, prolonged healing, scarring, infection, or, in rare cases, more serious complications.
Treat your tattoo with care, and it will reward you with a lifetime of great results.
On the Day of Your Tattoo
Once your tattoo is finished, your artist will cover it with a protective layer of cling film.
Leave the cling film on overnight and remove it the next morning.
Once you've removed it, gently wash your tattoo following the aftercare instructions for Day 1.
Day After Your Tattoo (Day 1)
Morning
Before touching your tattoo, wash your hands thoroughly.
Remove the cling film and gently wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and neutral soap.
Carefully remove any excess ink, blood or plasma that may have built up overnight. This is completely normal during the first 24 hours.
Pat the tattoo dry with clean kitchen roll. Do not rub it, and avoid using bath towels as they can carry bacteria and may irritate the skin.
Do not apply any aftercare cream or recover the tattoo during the day. Leave it uncovered so the skin can breathe naturally—oxygen is an important part of the healing process.
Although it may seem like extra protection, keeping the tattoo covered for too long can trap moisture and create the ideal environment for unwanted bacteria to grow.
Wear loose-fitting clothing around the tattoo to avoid friction or fabric sticking to the area.
Whenever possible, choose breathable cotton clothing and avoid synthetic fabrics.
Evening
Wash your hands and gently clean the tattoo again using lukewarm water and neutral soap.
Just before going to bed, apply a fresh piece of cling film. This helps prevent the tattoo from sticking to your pyjamas or bed linen while you sleep.
Remove the cling film as soon as you wake up the following morning and wash the tattoo again following the same steps above.
Important: Never apply aftercare cream before covering your tattoo with cling film. Cream and cling film should never be used together.
Day 2
Repeat the same aftercare routine as described for Day 1.
In the evening, before going to bed, if your tattoo is heavily worked and very detailed, you can apply a fresh layer of cling film overnight for extra protection, as you did on the first night.
From Day 3 – For the Next 15–20 Days
From today onwards, you should wash your tattoo twice a day (morning and evening) and begin applying your aftercare cream.
Helpful Tip
After each wash, allow your tattoo to breathe for around 30 minutes before applying the cream.
Continue applying the cream for the next 15–20 days, or until your tattoo is fully healed.
Small and/or Lightly Worked Tattoos
Days 1, 2 and 3
For the first 2–3 days, simply wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and neutral soap.
Do not apply cling film or aftercare cream during this period.
From Day 4 onwards, continue with the standard aftercare routine described above in Day 3.
Helpful Aftercare Advice
Always remember that a tattoo is a wound. Touching it unnecessarily can irritate the skin and may interfere with the healing process.
Wash your tattoo twice a day. You can wash it a third time if you have been exercising or if it becomes dirty and needs cleaning.
Do not pick, peel, or scratch any scabs or flaky skin that may form on your tattoo.
Avoid exposing your tattoo to direct sunlight or sunbeds for at least 1 month.
Do not apply sunscreen, hair removal creams, or any other type of cream or product to the tattooed area for at least 1 month after getting your tattoo.
Avoid wearing jewellery (such as bracelets or necklaces) that comes into contact with your tattoo for at least 2–3 weeks.
Avoid swimming pools and sea water until all scabs have naturally fallen off.
Avoid long hot baths, saunas, and steam rooms for at least 1 month.
Be especially careful around dust and particles such as flour, plaster, metal filings, wood dust, and similar materials.
Keep your tattoo clean at all times. Remember that it is a wound and should be treated accordingly.
Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
Wear only clean, breathable clothing made from natural fibres (such as cotton) until all scabs have completely healed and fallen away.
For the first 10–15 days, wear loose-fitting clothing and avoid tight garments over the tattooed area to allow the skin to breathe properly.
Avoid waxing or using hair removal creams until your tattoo is fully healed (around 1 month).
You can use a razor once all scabs have completely fallen away (usually after around 15 days).
Be very careful around animal hair and saliva.
To support the healing process, drink plenty of water every day, especially during the first week.
Redness and swelling around the tattooed area are completely normal during the first 2–3 days.
Itching, even intense itching, is also a normal part of the healing process.
You can return to exercise and sports once at least 1 week has passed since getting your tattoo.
Avoid wearing technical sports clothing for at least 2 weeks.
Take extra care if you take part in contact sports or activities where the tattoo could become dirty or damaged (such as wrestling, combat sports, football, rugby, etc.).
Wash your tattoo as soon as possible after training to remove sweat and keep the area clean.
Aftercare Cream
There are many different tattoo aftercare creams available on the market today.
Most tattoo aftercare creams are quite thick, so be careful not to apply too much. Apply a small amount, gently massage it into the skin, and allow it to fully absorb.
Once applied, the cream should leave the skin looking moisturised and slightly hydrated. It should not leave a thick white layer or visible coating over the tattoo.
Applying too much cream can prevent the skin from breathing properly. This may slow down the natural healing process and affect the final result of your tattoo.
Excessive cream can also create an environment where bacteria may grow, potentially leading to infections, colour loss, or a reduction in the tattoo’s brightness and overall appearance.
If you notice that you have applied too much cream, gently dab away the excess with clean kitchen roll and continue to massage the remaining cream into the skin until fully absorbed.
Remember that the purpose of aftercare cream is to keep the skin moisturised, helping to prevent overly thick scabs and excessive cracking. Your body will naturally heal the tattoo, and your immune system will help protect you from infection.
Important Information
If you have any questions, specific needs, or if anything changes during the healing process, please contact me before taking any action that could unintentionally affect the proper healing of your tattoo.
The same applies if you notice any problems or anything unusual while your tattoo is healing. Please get in touch as soon as possible so I can advise you and help prevent any potential complications.
In some cases, even when all aftercare instructions have been followed correctly, a tattoo may lose more ink than expected during the healing process. If this happens, don’t worry — I offer a free healed tattoo check (approximately 1 month after your appointment) and, if necessary, a touch-up of any areas that have not healed properly.
Any required touch-up work will be provided free of charge within 3 months of your original tattoo appointment.
After this 3-month period, any additional work required to restore or adjust the tattoo will be subject to an extra charge.
The same charge will apply if the recommended aftercare instructions have not been followed correctly.