Tattoo knowledge
A tattoo is only finished when it has healed. These are general guidelines. Your studio will give you aftercare advice specific to your tattoo, and that guidance takes priority.
Week by week
Healing varies from person to person and from placement to placement. This is a general guide, not a substitute for advice from your studio or a medical professional.
Keep the initial covering on for as long as the studio advises. When you remove it, wash your hands first, then gently clean the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Pat it dry with a clean paper towel — do not rub.
The tattoo may feel tender, tight or warm. Clean it gently once or twice a day and apply a thin layer of the aftercare product the studio recommends. Less is more — a heavy layer can clog the skin.
Flaking and peeling usually begins. This is normal. Do not pick, scratch or peel the skin, even when it itches, because pulling flakes early can lift ink and affect the healed result.
The surface continues to settle. It may look dull or slightly shiny, and a new layer of skin forms over the tattoo. Keep moisturising lightly and keep it out of direct sun.
The tattoo looks closer to its final result, but skin keeps repairing underneath for longer. Sunscreen becomes part of your routine from here on — sun is the single biggest cause of fading.
Do
Avoid
When to get help. If you notice spreading redness, increasing pain after the first few days, swelling, pus, a bad smell or fever, contact a medical professional. Anything unusual on the tattoo itself is also worth a message to the studio — we would rather answer a question than have you worry.
Send us a message and we will help you make sense of it.