Tattoo Aftercare
Here’s exactly how to take care of your new tattoo – step by step – based on how we worked in the studio today. Bookmark this page so you can easily come back to it during the healing process.
Quick Guide: What to do now
01.
Keep the film bandage on for 3–4 days
I’ve covered your tattoo with a transparent medical film (similar to Tegaderm).
- Keep it on for 3–4 days, unless I’ve told you something different.
- It’s normal to see some ink and fluid collecting under the film.
02.
Shower is okay – but don’t soak
You can shower normally, but:
- Don’t stay in very hot water for too long.
- Don’t scrub or pick at the film.
03.
If the film starts to leak or peel off a lot
- Carefully remove it in the shower under lukewarm water
- Then follow the instructions for “After removing the film” below.
04.
After removing the film (usually day 3–4)
- Wash your tattoo 2 times a day: morning and evening.
- Apply a tattoo aftercare cream 2 times a day: morning and evening.
- Not more, not less.
05.
Avoid sun, bathing and sauna for 2 weeks
For the first 2 weeks:
- No direct sun or tanning beds on the tattoo.
- No swimming pools, ocean, lakes, hot tubs or sauna.
If anything feels off: email info@inkbyted.com or DM @inkbyted.
Detailed Aftercare
Phase 1 – With film bandage (Day 0–3/4)
Right after the session, your tattoo is covered with a transparent film.
Your goals in this phase:
- Protect the tattoo from bacteria
- Avoid irritation and friction
Do:
- Keep the film on for 3–4 days, as we discussed.
- Shower as normal, but avoid very hot, long showers.
- Gently pat the area dry after showering – don’t rub or pull on the edges of the film.
Don't:
- Don’t poke holes in the film.
- Don’t try to “ventilate” it by peeling corners.
- Don’t go to the gym, swim, or sit in a sauna/steam.
If you need to remove it early (if the film is):
- Leaking a lot of fluid
- Peeling off halfway
- Or you feel irritation under the plastic
Then:
- Remove the film slowly under lukewarm running water (in the shower)
- Wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free soap.
- Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
- Start the routine for “After removing the film” below.
Phase 2 – After removing the film (Day 3–4+)
Now your tattoo is uncovered and ready for your regular routine.
Wash 2 times per day:
- Wash your hands first.
- Wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free soap.
- Rinse well and pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
Apply cream 2 times per day:
- Use the tattoo aftercare cream I recommended
- Apply a thin layer – the skin should not look shiny and “wet”.
If you over-moisturize, you can clog the pores and the skin doesn’t “breathe” properly. This can slow down healing and irritate the tattoo. Stick to 2x wash + 2x cream per day.
Phase 3 – Itchy & peeling (Day 5–14)
This is where many people get worried – but most of it is normal.
Normal in this phase:
- Peeling/flaking like a light sunburn
- A bit of dull or milky look
- Itching
Rules here:
- Don’t scratch. If it’s very itchy, gently tap next to the tattoo.
- Don’t pick flakes or scabs. They must fall off by themselves, otherwise you can pull out ink.
Still:
- Wash 2x/day
- Cream 2x/day
- Avoid sun, swimming, sauna and hot tubs for the full 2 weeks after the tattoo.
Weeks 3+
The top layers are mostly healed, but the tattoo is still settling under the skin.
After 2 weeks, if the skin is closed and not peeling:
- You can usually return to normal swimming and sauna.
Sun is now the main enemy:
- Always use SPF 30–50 on the tattoo when it’s exposed.
After it’s fully healed, you can use normal fragrance-free body lotion when the skin feels dry.
TRAINING, SUN & SWIMMING (SET TO YOUR RULES)
Training / Gym
- Avoid training that makes you sweat a lot or put pressure on the tattoo for at least 5 days.
- After 5 days, you can start light training if:
- The area isn’t rubbing against equipment or tight clothing.
- You can keep it clean after (wash and cream as usual).
- If you’re unsure: send me a message with what training you’re planning to do and where the tattoo is placed.
Sun & Sauna
- For the first 2 weeks:
- No direct sun or solarium on the tattoo
- No sauna or steam room
- After that:
- Use SPF 30–50 on the tattoo every time it’s exposed to the sun.
- This is one of the most important things you can do to keep the tattoo sharp over time.
Bathing & Swimming
- For at least 2 weeks after your tattoo:
- No swimming pool
- No ocean or lake
- No hot tub
- No long baths where the tattoo is under water
- Quick showers = fine. Soaking = no.
NORMAL HEALING VS. WARNING SIGNS
What’s Normal During Healing
- Mild redness around the tattoo during the first 24–48 hours
- Slight warmth or tenderness in the area
- A small amount of clear or slightly reddish fluid under the film
- Ink and plasma collecting under the plastic during the first days
- Light peeling or flaking around days 4–14
- The tattoo looking a bit dull or cloudy while the top layer heals
- Mild itching as the skin starts to peel
- A light tight feeling when the skin dries out
When to Contact Me
- Redness that stays for several days without fading
- Areas that look lighter or patchy after healing
- Strong itchiness or irritation that doesn’t calm down
- The film coming off earlier than expected
- You’re unsure whether something looks normal
Email: info@inkbyted.com
Instagram: @inkbyted
Signs: When Healing Is Not Normal
- Redness that spreads more than a couple of centimeters outside the tattoo
- A rash with unusual bumps, blisters or strong itchiness
- Skin that becomes increasingly hot, swollen or painful
- Thick yellow or green discharge
- A strong unpleasant smell coming from the area
- Large areas of skin turning dark red or purple
- The tattoo hurts more each day instead of improving
- These are not always infections — sometimes it’s irritation or an allergic reaction — but they are signs that something needs to be evaluated.
Urgent – Contact Healthcare Immediately If:
- You develop a fever, chills or feel generally unwell
- The tattoo area becomes very hot, hard, and swollen
- There is yellow/green pus combined with strong redness
- You see red streaks running outward from the tattoo (possible blood poisoning)
- The pain suddenly gets much worse instead of improving
- The swelling becomes severe and spreads
- In these cases, do not wait — contact healthcare or seek urgent care.