Follow these steps to keep your new tattoo healing clean and looking its best.
Keep the initial covering on for 2–4 hours, or as long as instructed at your session. Don't peek early — it's protecting the piece from bacteria and friction while it starts to seal.
Once you remove the bandage, wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free, mild soap. Use just your (clean) hand — no washcloth, no scrubbing. Pat dry with a clean paper towel; don't rub.
Apply a thin layer of the aftercare balm or fragrance-free lotion you're given. A thin layer — if it looks shiny and thick, it's too much. Repeat 2–3 times a day for the first 1–2 weeks.
Avoid rebandaging unless told to. Wear loose, clean clothing over the area so it isn't rubbing against fabric all day.
Skip pools, hot tubs, baths, and the ocean for at least 2 weeks — soaking can pull ink out and invite infection. Keep it out of direct sun for the same window, and use sunscreen once healed to keep colors from fading long-term.
Peeling and light itching are normal as it heals — let it flake off on its own. Picking scabs early can pull out ink and cause scarring.
Surface healing usually takes 2–3 weeks; full healing underneath can take longer. Be patient with the colors and linework settling in.
The specific products I trust for a clean heal. Not sponsored — just what works.
