A great tattoo can be ruined by poor aftercare — and saved by good aftercare. The first two weeks decide how crisp and vibrant your tattoo stays for years. Here's a simple, step-by-step tattoo aftercare guide.
The healing timeline
- Days 1–3 — the tattoo is an open wound. Some redness, swelling and clear/inky fluid is normal.
- Days 4–6 — it starts to flake and itch. Do not scratch or pick.
- Days 7–14 — peeling continues; the surface heals over.
- Weeks 3–4 — looks healed on the surface; deeper layers still settling.
- Up to ~3 months — fully healed internally.
Step-by-step aftercare
- Leave the wrap on as long as your artist advises (a few hours, or longer for film wraps).
- Wash gently with clean hands and fragrance-free soap, 2–3 times a day.
- Pat dry with a clean paper towel — never rub.
- Moisturise thinly with a recommended aftercare balm or fragrance-free lotion.
- Repeat washing and light moisturising until healed.
What to avoid
- Sun — UV fades fresh ink fast; cover it or wait to use SPF until healed.
- Soaking — no pools, baths, hot tubs or oceans for 2–3 weeks.
- Scratching and picking — pulls out ink and scars.
- Tight clothing over the area while it heals.
- Over-moisturising — a thin layer is enough; too much suffocates it.
Plan ahead: preview before you ink
The best aftercare starts before the needle — by choosing a design and placement you'll love long-term, so you never feel the urge to rush a cover-up.
- Generate your design with AI.
- Preview it on your body to lock in size and placement.
A confident choice now means a tattoo you'll care for happily for years.
