Tattoo Aftercare Guide

Everything you need to know to heal your new tattoo properly

Congratulations on your new tattoo! Proper aftercare is essential for ensuring your tattoo heals beautifully and looks great for years to come. Think of your fresh tattoo as an open wound; it needs to be kept clean and protected while your body heals.

We'll send you home with written instructions after your session, but this guide covers everything in detail. Follow these instructions carefully, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns during the healing process.

Important Note

Every person heals differently, and healing times can vary based on the tattoo's size, location, your skin type, and your overall health. The timeline below is a general guide. If something seems off, trust your instincts and contact us.

Day-by-Day Healing Guide

Day 1

The First Day: Initial Care

Keep the bandage on for 2-4 hours after leaving the shop. Your artist may use a standard bandage or a specialized film like Saniderm; follow their specific instructions for your bandage type.

When you remove the bandage:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly first
  • Gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and unscented, antibacterial soap
  • Use your clean hands only; no washcloths or loofahs
  • Rinse away any blood, plasma, or excess ink
  • Pat dry with a clean paper towel (not a fabric towel)
  • Let it air dry for 10-15 minutes
  • Apply a very thin layer of unscented moisturizer or aftercare product

Your tattoo will likely feel warm, swollen, and may seep a bit. This is completely normal. It's essentially a fresh wound, and your body is beginning the healing process.

Days 2-3

The Oozing Stage

Your tattoo may continue to ooze plasma (a clear, sticky fluid) and small amounts of ink. This is normal; your body is pushing out excess pigment that didn't settle into the skin.

Daily care routine:

  • Wash 2-3 times daily with unscented soap and lukewarm water
  • Always pat dry with paper towels
  • Apply a thin layer of moisturizer after each wash
  • Don't over-moisturize; your tattoo needs to breathe
  • Wear loose, breathable clothing over the tattoo

Swelling and redness should start to decrease. If it worsens or you develop a fever, contact us or see a doctor.

Days 4-7

The Peeling Stage

This is when most people get worried, but it's perfectly normal. Your tattoo will start to peel like a sunburn, with flakes of colored skin coming off. This does not mean you're losing ink.

Critical rules for this stage:

  • DO NOT PICK, SCRATCH, OR PULL at the peeling skin
  • Let the flakes fall off naturally
  • Continue your wash and moisturize routine
  • If it's itchy, gently pat the area or apply more moisturizer
  • Resist the urge to scratch, no matter how tempting

Picking at peeling skin can pull out ink and cause scarring. Let your body do its work naturally.

Weeks 2-3

Final Healing Stage

The peeling should subside, and a new layer of skin will form over your tattoo. During this time, your tattoo may look:

  • Cloudy or milky
  • Slightly dull compared to when it was fresh
  • Shiny or waxy in certain light

This is temporary. A layer of new skin is forming over the ink, and it takes time for this to settle and become transparent.

Continue moisturizing daily and protecting from sun exposure. You can reduce washing frequency to once daily or as needed.

Week 4+

Fully Healed

By this point, your tattoo should be fully healed. The outer layers of skin have regenerated, and the ink is safely settled in the dermis where it will stay.

Your tattoo should now appear vibrant and crisp. If you notice any areas that seem faded, patchy, or didn't heal as expected, contact us to discuss a touch-up. Remember: touch-ups within the first year are free for tattoos done at our shop.

Long-term care:

  • Always apply SPF 30+ sunscreen when your tattoo is exposed to sun
  • Sun exposure is the #1 cause of tattoo fading over time
  • Keep your skin moisturized
  • Stay hydrated and maintain healthy skin overall

Do's and Don'ts

DO

  • Wash with unscented, antibacterial soap
  • Pat dry with clean paper towels
  • Apply thin layers of unscented moisturizer
  • Wear loose, breathable clothing
  • Keep the tattoo clean and dry
  • Let peeling skin fall off naturally
  • Stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep
  • Use sunscreen once fully healed
  • Contact us if something seems wrong

DON'T

  • Submerge in water (baths, pools, ocean, hot tubs)
  • Expose to direct sunlight during healing
  • Pick, scratch, or peel flaking skin
  • Apply thick layers of ointment
  • Use scented lotions or products
  • Wear tight clothing over the tattoo
  • Let pets lick or touch the tattoo
  • Exercise heavily for the first few days
  • Re-bandage unless instructed

Recommended Products

For Washing

Use a gentle, unscented, antibacterial liquid soap. Good options include:

  • Dial Gold antibacterial soap (unscented)
  • Dr. Bronner's Baby Unscented Castile Soap
  • Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Avoid bar soaps (they harbor bacteria) and anything with fragrance, dyes, or exfoliating beads.

For Moisturizing

Use an unscented, gentle moisturizer or a product specifically designed for tattoo aftercare:

  • Lubriderm Daily Moisture (unscented)
  • Eucerin Original Healing Cream
  • Aquaphor (use very sparingly; a little goes a long way)
  • Hustle Butter or other tattoo-specific products
  • Coconut oil (unrefined, once past the initial healing phase)

Important: Apply thin layers only. Your tattoo needs to breathe. Thick layers of ointment can suffocate the skin and cause issues.

Products to Avoid

  • Anything with fragrance or dyes
  • Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) in large amounts
  • Neosporin and similar antibiotic ointments (can cause reactions)
  • Alcohol-based products
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Sunscreen (until fully healed)

Signs of Proper Healing

Normal healing includes:

  • Mild redness and swelling in the first few days
  • Oozing plasma and small amounts of ink
  • Feeling warm to the touch initially
  • Peeling and flaking like a sunburn
  • Itching (annoying but normal)
  • Temporary cloudiness or dull appearance

Signs of a Problem

Contact us or see a doctor if you experience:

  • Increasing redness, swelling, or pain after the first few days
  • Pus (yellow or green discharge with an odor)
  • Red streaks radiating from the tattoo
  • Fever or chills
  • Severe itching with raised bumps or rash
  • Blistering
  • Open sores that won't heal

When in Doubt, Reach Out

If something doesn't look or feel right, trust your instincts and contact us. It's always better to ask a question than to ignore a potential problem. We're here to help you through the healing process.

Our Touch-Up Policy

Most tattoos heal perfectly with proper aftercare, but sometimes healing can be unpredictable. If you notice any areas of your tattoo that didn't heal as expected (spots that seem faded, patchy, or where ink fell out), we've got you covered.

Touch-ups within the first year are complimentary for tattoos done at Whaling City Tattoo Co. Just contact us to schedule a touch-up session.

Wait until your tattoo is fully healed (at least 4-6 weeks) before assessing whether a touch-up is needed. What looks patchy at week 2 often looks perfect by week 6.

Questions About Your Healing Tattoo?

Don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help you through the healing process.

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