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Aftercare

Taking Care Of Your Tattoo

Everything you need to know.

A tattoo is a healing wound for the first few weeks. Look after it and the lines stay crisp for decades. If your artist gave you different instructions, follow theirs.

The healing timeline

  1. Day 1

    • Leave the bandage on for as long as you were told. Wash your hands before you touch it.
    • Wash gently with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap. Pat dry with a clean paper towel.
    • Expect redness, tenderness and a little weeping of ink and plasma.

  2. Day 2-3

    • Wash two or three times a day and let it air-dry fully.
    • Apply a very thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer. It should barely shine.
    • Sleep on clean sheets and try not to lie on it.

  3. Week 1

    • Flaking and itching begin. This is normal. Do not scratch or pick.
    • Keep washing and moisturizing lightly.
    • Keep it out of direct sun and standing water.

  4. Week 2

    • Flakes finish shedding. The tattoo can look cloudy or dull for a while.
    • Moisturize whenever the skin feels tight.

  5. Week 3-4

    • The surface looks healed, but deeper skin is still settling.
    • Hold off on pools, oceans and hot tubs until the skin is fully smooth.

  6. Long term

    • Sunscreen is what keeps a tattoo sharp. Use SPF 30 or higher on every exposed piece.
    • Moisturized skin shows ink better. Touch-ups, if needed, come after full healing.

Do

  1. Wash your hands every time before touching the tattoo
  2. Clean it with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap
  3. Pat dry with a clean paper towel, not a bath towel
  4. Moisturize in thin layers
  5. Wear loose, clean, breathable clothing over it
  6. Drink water and sleep. Healing is work

Don't

  1. Don't pick, peel or scratch
  2. Don't soak it: no baths, pools, oceans or hot tubs
  3. Don't expose it to direct sun or tanning beds
  4. Don't use petroleum-heavy or fragranced products
  5. Don't wear tight clothing that rubs the area
  6. Don't train hard on it while it's fresh, or leave sweat sitting on it

Red flags

  • Redness or swelling that spreads or gets worse after the first couple of days
  • Heat, throbbing or pain that increases over time
  • Thick yellow or green discharge, or a bad smell
  • Red streaks spreading from the tattoo
  • Fever or chills
  • Raised, intensely itchy skin that could be an allergic reaction

Any of these: contact a doctor right away. Fever, chills or spreading red streaks need same-day care. Your artist can advise on healing, but cannot treat an infection.

What to use

  • Cleanser

    Mild, liquid, fragrance-free soap.

    Macy's pick goes here

  • Moisturizer

    Unscented lotion or a purpose-made tattoo balm.

    Macy's pick goes here

  • Sunscreen

    Broad spectrum SPF 30+, only once fully healed.

    Macy's pick goes here

Problems with your heal?

DM @macyjewelinski on IG.