Tattoo Aftercare

Guide & Healing Tips

Everything you need to know about healing your tattoo properly, from traditional aftercare to second-skin healing methods like Saniderm or Dermshield.

Once you leave the studio, the healing process is in your hands. Proper aftercare plays a huge role in how your tattoo settles, heals, and ages over time.

AFTERCARE_

SARAN WRAP / ABSORBENT PADS

Proper aftercare is essential for your tattoo to heal safely and beautifully.
Healing times vary depending on placement, skin type, and lifestyle. Areas with a lot of movement (hands, elbows, knees, ribs, etc.) may take slightly longer to heal.

If you have any questions during healing, feel free to contact me.

The First Days

Your tattoo may feel warm, tender, swollen, and may leak plasma, ink, or small amounts of blood during the first 24–48 hours — this is completely normal.

Day 0 – Day 3

  • Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo

  • Carefully remove the protective wrap

  • Clean the tattoo gently using pH-neutral soap and lukewarm water

  • Pat dry using a clean disposable paper towel (do not rub)

  • Allow the tattoo to air dry briefly

Important:

During the first 3 days, do not apply aftercare lotion yet.
Your skin pores are still open during this stage, and over-moisturizing can interfere with proper healing.

If your tattoo was wrapped with cling film / saran wrap:

  • Do not reapply new wrap

  • Exception: if needed, you may wrap it once again for the first night only

Day 3 – Day 14

Around day 3 or 4, the tattoo will usually begin peeling or lightly scabbing. It may become itchy — this is a normal part of healing.

At this stage:

  • Begin applying a thin layer of unscented aftercare lotion 2–3 times daily

  • Do not over-apply products

  • Let the tattoo breathe whenever possible

Do not scratch, pick, or force peeling skin to come off. Allow the tattoo to heal naturally.