Tattoo aftercare
OWN THE FINAL 20%
I’ve given you a piece of art—now it’s your job to protect it. I can only take your tattoo 80% of the way. That final 20%? That’s all about how you heal.
This isn’t just ink. It’s an investment. So treat it like one. Be deliberate. Be clean. Be disciplined. The way you care for your tattoo now will define how it looks for life.
Follow the aftercare. Treat it like it matters.
Connect with Us
Skin prep before your tattoo session
To get the best possible result, your skin needs to be in top condition. The quality of your skin directly affects the quality of your tattoo. Well-hydrated, healthy skin takes ink better, heals faster, and holds detail longer.
Start preparing at least one week before your session.
Moisturize the area daily leading up to your appointment. Hydrated skin is more elastic and easier to work with.
For deeper hydration, try this method:
Three nights before your tattoo, apply a thick layer of moisturizer to the area being tattooed, wrap it in cling film, and sleep with it overnight.
Repeat for three nights in a row. This gives your skin an intense boost of moisture and flexibility.
Your overall health matters too.
Drink plenty of water, eat clean, and consider supplementing with things like vitamin C, zinc, or vitamin E a week before. These support skin healing and immune function.
Treat your body right—because great tattoos start with great skin.
Keep it clean
Taking care of your tattoo properly is what makes or breaks the final result. The most important step: wash it daily.
I always recommend using a gentle, unscented antibacterial soap and cleaning it once a day in a warm shower.
Make sure to wash off all the built-up plasma, dried blood, and surface residue—don’t leave anything sitting on the skin. Let it air dry or gently pat dry with a clean towel. .
If you have pets and your dog or cat brushes up against your tattoo, just play it safe and wash it again. Pets are one of the most common causes of infection. Same goes for if you're at work and touch something questionable—when in doubt, clean it. It's better to be overly cautious than to risk a ruined piece.
If you're in a country that sells Bactine, I suggest keeping a small bottle on you. It’s a quick and easy way to disinfect your tattoo throughout the day without over-washing.
This is your art now. Treat it like it.
Ointment
For healing, I usually recommend using Dermalize Aftercare. If you can’t get that, a good alternative is Penaten—a baby diaper rash cream found in the baby section of most grocery stores or pharmacies. If you're outside North America, Bepanthen is also a reliable option.
Important: For the first two days, let your tattoo dry out completely. No cream during this time. This helps the surface settle and begin sealing naturally.
Start applying ointment from around day three of healing.
When using any ointment, be careful with cross-contamination. Don’t touch your tattoo and then the tube. Instead, squeeze a small amount onto a clean paper towel, and apply from there.
Use a very thin layer—more isn’t better. The best method is to put a bit on your fingers, dot it across the tattoo, then gently rub it in for a light, even coat.
Too much cream can clog your pores and trap bacteria, which slows healing.
You should apply ointment for at least two weeks, but going up to a month is fine too—as long as the layer stays super light.
Let your skin breathe. Stay consistent. And don’t rush the process.
Sun & Activity
One of the biggest threats to your tattoo, especially in the first 1 to 2 months, is the sun. While the ink is still settling, your skin is fragile and the pigments are unstable. UV exposure can fade or even shift the color of your tattoo.
Lighter inks, especially white, can oxidize and turn yellow if exposed to sunlight too soon, and that change is permanent.
If you’re outside, cover it. A high SPF cream (SPF 50+) is the bare minimum. Better yet, wear a UV-protective rash guard. Check the label to be sure it blocks UV rays.
Even after your tattoo is fully healed, protecting it from sun exposure is key to keeping it vibrant long term. The sun breaks down ink over time. Protection isn’t just for healing, it’s forever.
During the first two weeks, avoid anything that causes heavy sweating, stretching, or friction in the tattooed area.
No swimming, no baths, no saunas. Stay out of hot tubs and avoid gyms. Sweat and bacteria are your enemies right now.
Wait until the skin is sealed and settled before getting back into strenuous activity.
Also, do not touch, scratch, or pick at the tattoo. If scabs form, let them fall off naturally. Picking them can cause scarring, patchiness, or even ink loss.