Aftercare

Tattoo Aftercare

Congratulations on your new tattoo. Your tattoo is a permanent piece of artwork and, for the next several weeks, it is also a healing wound. Proper aftercare is essential for achieving the best possible appearance and minimizing the risk of complications.

Immediately After Your Appointment

Leave your bandage on for the amount of time recommended by your artist, typically 1-4 hours unless otherwise instructed.

Before touching your tattoo, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

After removing the bandage, do not re-bandage the tattoo unless specifically instructed by your artist.

Washing Your Tattoo

Wash your tattoo 2-3 times daily during the initial healing period.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Gently wash the tattoo with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free antibacterial or gentle soap.
3. Remove any dried blood, plasma, or ointment residue.
4. Do not scrub the tattoo or use a washcloth, loofah, or exfoliating sponge.
5. Rinse thoroughly.
6. Pat dry with a clean paper towel or freshly washed towel.
7. Allow the tattoo to air dry for several minutes before applying any aftercare products.

Avoid rubbing or scratching the tattoo.

Moisturizing and Ointment

The goal is to keep the tattoo lightly moisturized without suffocating the skin.

Traditional Approach

Many artists recommend a very thin layer of Aquaphor, Vitamin A and D ointment, or another tattoo-specific healing ointment.

• Apply only a very thin layer.
• The skin should appear lightly moisturized, not greasy.
• Excess ointment should be gently blotted away.
• Too much ointment can trap moisture and irritate the healing tattoo.

Typically, ointment is used only during the first 2-3 days.

Modern Approach

Many artists and dermatology professionals now prefer transitioning quickly to a fragrance-free moisturizer rather than prolonged ointment use.

• Lubriderm fragrance-free
• Eucerin fragrance-free
• CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
• Aveeno Fragrance-Free Lotion
• Tattoo-specific fragrance-free moisturizers

The skin should feel comfortable and hydrated, but not excessively wet or shiny.

Important

Both approaches can produce excellent results when done correctly. The most common mistake is over-applying products. A thin layer is always better than a thick layer.

What to Expect During Healing

Normal healing may include:

• Mild redness during the first few days
• Tenderness
• Slight swelling
• Flaking
• Peeling
• Itching
• A temporary dull or cloudy appearance

This is all part of the normal healing process.

Do not pick, scratch, or peel any flaking skin. Removing peeling skin prematurely can pull pigment from the tattoo and increase the risk of scarring.

Activities to Avoid

For approximately 2 weeks, or until your artist advises otherwise, avoid:

• Swimming pools
• Hot tubs
• Lakes
• Oceans
• Saunas
• Steam rooms
• Long baths

Showers are preferred.

Also avoid activities that may cause excessive friction, repeatedly rub the tattoo, expose the tattoo to dirt or contamination, or cause trauma to the area. Wear clean, loose-fitting clothing whenever possible.

Sun Protection

Avoid direct sun exposure while the tattoo is healing.

Once fully healed, use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen whenever the tattoo will be exposed to sunlight. Consistent sun protection is one of the best ways to preserve color and detail over time.

Never apply sunscreen to a tattoo that is still actively healing.

Healthy Healing Habits

To support the healing process:

• Stay hydrated
• Get adequate sleep
• Eat a balanced diet
• Avoid unnecessary irritation to the tattoo
• Keep pets away from the healing area
• Avoid allowing others to touch your tattoo

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Increasing redness after the first few days
• Red streaking from the tattoo
• Significant swelling
• Thick yellow or green discharge
• Fever
• Chills
• Worsening pain
• A foul odor coming from the tattoo

If you are unsure whether something is normal, contact your artist and consult a healthcare professional.

Piercing Aftercare

Congratulations on your new piercing. A piercing heals from the outside inward and often takes longer to heal than it appears. Patience and consistent aftercare are the keys to a successful healing process.

General Care

Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or jewelry.

• Leave jewelry in place.
• Avoid unnecessary touching, twisting, or rotating.
• Avoid changing jewelry until healing is complete or your piercer advises it is safe.
• Avoid sleeping directly on healing piercings whenever possible.
• Keep cosmetics, skincare products, and hair products away from the piercing.

Cleaning Your Piercing

Modern Standard (Recommended)

Most professional piercing organizations today recommend sterile saline wound wash 0.9 percent sodium chloride.

To clean:

1. Spray sterile saline onto the piercing.
2. Allow it to soak briefly.
3. Gently remove softened debris if necessary.
4. Pat dry with clean disposable paper products.

Clean 1-2 times daily unless instructed otherwise by your piercer.

Traditional Approach

Some studios have historically recommended products such as Bactine, antiseptic sprays, or sea salt soaks. Many people have healed successfully using these methods.

However, modern piercing standards generally favor sterile saline because it is less likely to cause irritation and is easier to use consistently.

If your piercer specifically recommends Bactine or another antiseptic product, follow their guidance and monitor for dryness or irritation.

Oral Piercings

Healing typically takes 4-8 weeks.

Care:

• Use an alcohol-free antimicrobial mouth rinse after meals and before bed.
• Rinse with water after eating if mouthwash is not available.
• Maintain excellent oral hygiene.
• Minimize alcohol and tobacco use during healing.
• Avoid oral contact until your piercer's recommended healing period has passed.
• Expect some swelling during the first several days.

Cold beverages and ice chips may help reduce swelling.

Ear, Nose, Eyebrow, Septum, and Facial Piercings

Healing times vary and may range from several weeks to many months depending on the location.

Care:

• Clean with sterile saline.
• Leave jewelry in place.
• Avoid sleeping directly on the piercing.
• Clean earbuds, headphones, phones, and pillowcases regularly.
• Avoid unnecessary touching.

Navel, Nipple, and Genital Piercings

These areas may take several months to heal fully.

Care:

• Clean with sterile saline.
• Wear clean, breathable clothing.
• Minimize friction whenever possible.
• Follow all jewelry recommendations from your piercer.

For genital piercings:

• Practice excellent hygiene.
• Avoid contact with unwashed hands.
• Follow your piercer's recommendations regarding sexual activity during healing.

What Is Normal During Healing

You may experience:

• Mild redness
• Slight swelling
• Tenderness
• Clear or pale-yellow discharge that dries into crusties
• Temporary sensitivity

These are normal signs of healing.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Increasing redness
• Significant swelling
• Severe pain
• Green or dark-colored discharge
• Fever
• Chills
• Red streaking
• A foul odor from the piercing

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are normal, contact your piercer and consult a healthcare professional.

Final Thoughts

Healing is a partnership between you, your artist or piercer, and your body.

Most complications occur from excessive touching, over-cleaning, under-cleaning, picking at healing tissue, using too many products, or returning to normal activities too quickly.

When in doubt, keep it simple: keep the area clean, avoid unnecessary irritation, and give your body time to heal. Consistent, gentle care almost always produces the best results.