TATTOO AFTER CARE
You just sat through the needle bombardment – and it came out looking great. Now what?
Here’s how to keep that ink crisp and infection-free:
First 24 Hours
Your artist will wrap that fresh ink. Leave it alone for the recommended time – either 2 hours or up to 24 depending on the shop – and then gently remove it.
CLEANING YOUR TATTOO
Gently wash the tattoo 1–2 times a day with lukewarm water and a fragrance‑free, alcohol‑free mild soap. Rinse thoroughly. Don’t scrub. Those scabs are not blemishes to pick off.
DRYING YOUR TATTOO
Pat dry with clean disposable paper towels or single‑use gauze. Ditch the cloth towels – they harbor bacteria and snag.
KEEPING YOUR TATTOO MOISTURIZED
Apply a thin layer of unscented, breathable ointment or lotion (like tattoo salve or Aquaphor) – just enough to hydrate, not smother the skin.
What to Avoid With Your New Tattoo
No soaking: skip pools, hot tubs, baths for at least two weeks.
No sunbathing or tanning for about three weeks – UV can fade your ink before it sets in.
No scratching, picking, or irritating moves – let nature take its healing course.
Healing Timeline
Expect peeling, annoying itching, and occasional flaking up to about two weeks in. If redness balloons, you get pus, or you spike a fever – call your artist or a doc.
Piercing After care
Fresh piercing? It’s basically a tiny, intentionally made wound – treat it well and it’ll look great, heal right.
Here’s the rookie version:
Keep the Germs Out
Always, always wash your hands before touching your piercing – not even to rotate jewelry, unless your piercer explicitly says you can.
How to Clean Your Piercing
Use a sterile saline spray or wound wash twice a day. Don’t mix your own sea salt – it’s too easy to get concentration wrong and dry out the site.
Gently clean the front and back – no twisting, rotating, or pushing on the jewelry.
Drying Your Piercing
Pat it dry with clean, single‑use gauze or cotton. Cloth towels = bacteria net.
Keep it Dry
Avoid pools, hot tubs, humid or sweaty surroundings. If you sweat, dab gently – not mess around with the site.
Avoid Irritants
No alcohol, peroxide, tea‑tree oil, makeup, hair products, lotions or fragrances near piercing – only saline unless directed otherwise.
Jewelry Stays In
Don’t swap it out until fully healed – removing too early can cause the hole to shrink or close.
Piercing Healing Timeline
Earlobes usually heal in roughly 6–8 weeks.
Cartilage piercings? Think more like 3–9 months, sometimes up to a year.
Navel piercings? Could take up to a year or more.
Things to Watch For
Some crusting, mild redness, itchiness = normal.
But red streaks, green/black discharge, swelling, fever – sounds like infection – get to a doctor.
Keep your original jewelry in place unless explicitly advised otherwise.
FAQ
Can I Exercise After Getting a Tattoo or Piercing?
Light movement is fine – but avoid sweating it up for the first few days. Sweaty, dirty skin + fresh wound = infection risk.
When Can I Shower or Swim?
Showers are okay after cleaning – but no soaking until the ink is settled (at least 2 weeks) or the piercing is healed (weeks to months depending).
What if I See Yellowish Crust Around My Piercing?
If it’s light, no foul odor or worsening pain – that’s probably just lymph fluid. Clean it off with saline, don’t pick. If darker, oozing, or painful – contact a doctor or go to an Urgent Care to get checked.
Can I Use Lotion or Ointments on My Piercing?
Saline and non-scented antibacterial soap only. Avoid petroleum or antibiotic creams unless directed by your piercer or physician – some can trap moisture and prolong healing.
JASON REICHMAN
We’re an award-winning tattoo shop that takes pride in working with you to create a work of art that you’ll wear on your body with pride.