Getting the tattoo is only half the job. How you look after it in the weeks that follow decides how it heals. Good aftercare helps the lines stay sharp and the colors stay even. Poor aftercare can leave patchy spots that need a touch-up later. This applies to your first tattoo and to your twentieth.
This guide covers each stage of healing, how to wash and moisturize, what to avoid, how to protect your tattoo from the sun and when to see a doctor. One rule comes before everything else here. Your artist's aftercare instructions come first. Artists use different wraps and products, and they know how their own work heals. Use this page as general background, and ask your artist if anything is unclear.
If you haven't booked yet, our first tattoo guide covers the steps before the appointment.
The first 24 hours after your tattoo
When you leave the studio, your tattoo will be covered. Some artists use plastic wrap, which usually comes off after a few hours. Others use a clear adhesive film (often called "second skin"), which can stay on for a day or several days. Your artist will tell you which one you have and when to take it off. Follow their timing.
Under the cover, the tattoo will look red and may leak a little clear fluid, ink and blood. That is normal for a fresh tattoo. When the wrap comes off, wash your hands first, then gently wash the tattoo (see below) and let it dry.
Tattoo healing stages day by day
Every tattoo heals at its own pace. Size, placement, style and your own skin all play a part. This is a typical timeline.
Days 1-3
The tattoo is a fresh wound. It will be red, a little swollen and warm, and it may feel like a sunburn. It may still leak some fluid and ink. Keep it clean, wash it gently and rest the area where you can.
Days 4-7
The redness and swelling go down. The surface starts to dry, and a thin layer of skin or light flaking may appear. It often starts to itch. Do not scratch or pick at it.
Days 7-14
This is the peeling stage. The tattoo flakes like a healing sunburn, and the flakes can carry some color. Under the flakes it may look cloudy or dull for a while. This is normal, and the color usually comes back as the skin settles.
Weeks 2-4
The peeling stops and the surface closes. The tattoo looks clearer and less shiny. Most tattoos look healed from the outside by now. Larger or heavily filled pieces can take longer.
Months 1-3
The deeper layers of skin keep healing for a few more months. The tattoo can feel slightly raised or dry at times. By the end of this stage it looks like it will for years. If you see gaps or patchy spots, ask your artist about a touch-up. Some artists offer a free touch-up within a set time, so it's worth asking.
How to wash a new tattoo
Most artists suggest washing a new tattoo two to three times a day for the first two weeks. Ask your artist what they recommend.
- Wash your hands well with soap.
- Wet the tattoo with lukewarm water.
- Use a mild, fragrance-free soap and clean fingers to gently clean the area. No washcloths, sponges or brushes.
- Rinse well so no soap is left on the skin.
- Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Bath towels can hold bacteria and can catch on flaking skin.
- Let it air-dry for a few minutes before you put anything on it.
Short showers are fine. Keep the tattoo out of a strong stream of water and don't let it soak.
How to moisturize a new tattoo
Use the balm or cream your artist recommends. If they don't name one, a plain, fragrance-free product is the usual choice. Avoid scented lotions while the tattoo heals, since perfume and alcohol can irritate the skin.
Use a very thin layer. The skin should look slightly shiny, not greasy or covered. Too much product keeps the tattoo too wet and can lead to spots or bubbling. Most people moisturize after each wash, or when the skin feels tight and dry.
Many artists advise against antibiotic ointments on a new tattoo, because some people react to them. Use them only if a doctor tells you to. Once peeling has stopped, you can usually switch to a regular unscented lotion.
What to avoid while your tattoo heals
- Picking and scratching. Let flakes and any scabs fall off by themselves. Pulling them can take ink with them and leave patchy spots. If it itches, a light tap or a thin layer of moisturizer usually helps.
- Soaking. No swimming pools, sea, lakes, baths or hot tubs until the tattoo has fully healed, usually 2-4 weeks. Ask your artist for their timeline.
- Tight clothes. Clothes that rub or stick to the tattoo can irritate it and pull at flakes. Wear loose, clean clothes over it.
- Hard workouts. Sweat, friction and stretching slow down healing. Our guide to exercising after a tattoo has a full timeline.
- Direct sun and tanning beds. See the next section.
- Dirty surfaces and pets. Keep the tattoo away from pet hair and dirty sheets. Change your bed sheets when you get your tattoo.
- Shaving the area. Wait until the tattoo has healed.
Sun and your tattoo
Sun is one of the main reasons tattoos fade, and a healing tattoo is even more sensitive. While it heals, keep it out of direct sun. Cover it with loose clothing if you have to be outside. Most artists say not to put sunscreen on a tattoo until it has healed, so ask yours.
Once it has healed, use a high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen on the tattoo every time it sees the sun, and reapply through the day. For long days at the beach or outdoors, clothing that covers the tattoo works best. Avoid tanning beds. Color tattoos and fine lines are the most affected, as our guide on whether color ink fades faster explains.
Signs of infection or allergic reaction: when to see a doctor
Some redness, swelling, warmth and soreness are normal in the first few days. These should slowly get better.
See a doctor if you notice any of these:
- Redness, swelling or pain that gets worse after the first few days instead of better
- Redness that spreads past the edges of the tattoo, or red streaks leading away from it
- Pus (thick yellow or green fluid) or a bad smell
- The area feels hot, or you have a fever or chills
- Raised, very itchy bumps, a rash or blisters on the tattoo, especially in one color
The last point can be a sign of an allergic reaction to the ink. This can happen with any color, and it can show up weeks or even longer after the tattoo. Don't try to treat a possible infection or reaction yourself. A doctor can tell you what it is and what to do. Let your artist know too.
If you know you have sensitive skin or allergies, tell your artist before your appointment, and talk to your doctor if you are unsure.
Keeping your tattoo looking good for years
After healing, long-term care is simple. Keep the skin moisturized, so it looks smooth and the tattoo looks crisp. Use sunscreen whenever the tattoo is in the sun.
All tattoos soften over time. How fast depends on the style, the placement and how much sun the tattoo gets. Bold black work, like traditional and blackwork, usually holds up the longest. Fine line and watercolor pieces tend to fade sooner and may need a touch-up after some years. Hands, feet and fingers fade fastest because the skin there gets a lot of use and renews quickly.
Skin also changes with age, weight changes and pregnancy, and some areas stretch more than others. Our placement guide covers which spots hold their shape best.
