Every tattoo heals a little differently. Your artist will tell you how to care for yours, and their advice always comes first. This guide covers the rest.
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Here's what's normal in the first weeks.
Your tattoo is an open wound. It may feel warm, look slightly swollen and ooze plasma or ink. All of this is normal. Don't touch it with unwashed hands.
The skin peels like a sunburn and may itch. Don't scratch or pick at it, because that can pull ink out. Keep using the product your artist recommended.
The surface has mostly healed and the tattoo may look dull or milky. That's normal and clears on its own. Keep it out of direct sun.
The deeper layers finish healing in 3–4 weeks. Avoid swimming, saunas and direct sun until then. Your tattoo's true colors show once it has fully healed.
While your tattoo heals, stay away from these.
Swimming and soaking — no pools, oceans, lakes or baths for 3–4 weeks. Showers are fine.
Direct sun — keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight for 3–4 weeks.
Scratching or picking — it pulls ink out and leaves patchy spots.
Tight clothing — wear something loose and breathable.
Intense exercise — skip it for the first 2 weeks. Sweat and friction irritate the skin.
Alcohol — skip it for at least 48 hours after your session.
Pets — keep pet hair away from the tattoo for the first week.
What you put on a healing tattoo matters. Here's the short list.
The product your artist recommends — every style and every artist works differently, so use what they recommend, in the amount and as often as they tell you.
Colorless antibacterial liquid soap — fragrance-free, twice a day for the first week. Wash with your fingertips, never a cloth.
SPF 50+ sunscreen — once your tattoo has healed, apply it whenever it's in direct sun.
Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) — it seals the skin and can trap bacteria.
Fragranced lotions or creams — they can irritate healing skin.
Alcohol-based products — they dry out healing skin.
Exfoliants and acids — keep AHAs, BHAs and retinol away from a healing tattoo.
The surface heals in about 2 weeks and the deeper layers in 3–4 weeks.
Yes, even with a second skin on. Keep showers short, avoid strong water jets and don't soak in a bath.
Wait 3–4 weeks before swimming in a pool, ocean or lake.
It's normal, like a sunburn. Don't pick at it. Let it fall off on its own.
Yes, especially around days 4–10. Don't scratch it. If you notice increasing redness, swelling or unusual discharge, see a healthcare professional.
Light activity is fine after 48–72 hours. Skip intense exercise for the first 2 weeks.
Only if your artist told you to. Every style and every artist works differently, so there's no single product that fits every tattoo. Use what your artist recommends, in the amount and as often as they tell you.
