10 Tips for Tattoo Aftercare

Make sure your tattoo never dries out. That is one of the most important tattoo aftercare tips we can give you. During the healing phase, regularly apply a tattoo aftercare cream.

If your tattoo gets too dry, it will heal slower and you will also have a greater chance of scabbing. Scabs can tear, causing your tattoo to bleed again. This can lead to unsightly spots in your tattoo and you may need to have your tattoo touched up.

How often should you moisturize your tattoo?

For the first 4 days, moisturize your tattoo every 4 hours if possible. After that, at least twice a day, in the morning and evening, until your tattoo is completely healed. The healing of your tattoo takes approximately 2-4 weeks.

Your tattoo is healed when you can no longer feel scabs or flakes when you run your fingers over your tattoo.

Do not apply too much cream to your tattoo
A wound that is too moist increases the risk of infection. Not only that. By applying too much cream to your tattoo, you seal off the skin too much and your tattoo cannot breathe. This is not good for your tattoo's healing. Moreover, you can get pimples or bumps on your tattoo.

For the healing of your tattoo, it is important that you clean it regularly. By cleaning your tattoo, you help protect it from bacteria and you also wash off excess ink, wound fluid, and blood. This also prevents unsightly scabs on your tattoo.

For the first few days, it's important to clean your tattoo at least twice a day. This ensures that bacteria don't have a chance to damage your tattoo. Prevent blood and wound fluid from drying if you want to avoid a lot of scabbing.

You can definitely shower with your new tattoo. Check our blog on showering with your new tattoo to see what you need to pay attention to.

The care process, cleaning and moisturizing your tattoo, continues until your tattoo is healed. How long it takes for your tattoo to heal varies per person. Expect two to four weeks.

→ Did you know that you can further support the healing process during the first few days with a tattoo film?

A tattoo film is self-adhesive and acts as a second skin on your skin. This protects your tattoo completely from dirt and bacteria, and prevents it from drying out. This means you don't have to worry about your tattoo at all during the first few days.

This is especially useful if you have pets or if your work involves a lot of dust, sawdust, hair, etc. Read here how healing with a self-adhesive tattoo film works.

As long as your tattoo isn't healed, it's not wise to go swimming. The ink can leach out of your skin, which won't make your tattoo look any better. Additionally, bacteria from the water can get into your tattoo, causing it to become inflamed.

Also check: How long until you can swim with your new tattoo?

Also, do not take baths or use saunas with your new tattoo.

Can you shower with your new tattoo? Yes, but don't shower for longer than 5 minutes as long as your tattoo has not yet healed.

Make sure to keep your tattoo as clean as possible. Avoid excessive sweat or dirt getting into it. This can cause your tattoo to become inflamed. Keep your tattoo as clean as possible and be careful with sports and heavy physical labor until your tattoo has healed.

Do you have pets or work in an environment with a lot of dust, sawdust, or hair? Then tattoo film is ideal for getting through the first few days after getting tattooed! With self-adhesive tattoo aftercare film, also known as second skin, you protect your new tattoo from this dirt and allow your tattoo to heal peacefully. A self-adhesive tattoo film can be left on for up to 3-5 days.

As long as your tattoo has not yet healed, it is best to stay out of the sun. The bright rays of the sun or tanning bed can cause blisters and fade the colors of your tattoo. Even after your tattoo's healing process, you should still be careful with the sun.
Fading of your tattoo can be counteracted after healing with a cream that contains UV protection.

During healing, it is normal for the skin to itch. In any case, do not scratch! You can not only ruin the appearance of your tattoo by scratching off the scabs or flakes when you itch. You also run a very high risk of your tattoo becoming infected! The correct use of tattoo aftercare ensures less or even no itching or scabbing.

You can also prevent scabbing as much as possible by allowing your tattoo to heal with a self-adhesive tattoo film for the first few days. This second skin protects you from infections and prevents your tattoo from drying out. You don't have to moisturize your tattoo at all during the first few days. Check Your new tattoo wrapped in film if you want to know the difference from regular cling film.

Want to know how second skin works on your tattoo? Check out How does tattoo film work?

Do not wear dirty or too tight clothing over your tattoo, especially not initially. As the tattoo heals, wound fluid and ink will still seep out, which can cause clothing to stick to the area. It is very painful to remove and you can pull off scabs or flakes. Cotton clothing has proven to absorb any wound discharge well and is easy to clean. With a tattoo film, you prevent your tattoo from sticking to your clothing.

Don't panic! Gently soak it off with lukewarm water. If necessary, get in the shower with your clothes on. The most important thing is not to try to pull it off all at once.

You could take extra Vitamin C during healing. If you have too little Vitamin C in your body, your tattoo may heal more slowly. Also be careful with alcohol; excessive alcohol intake hinders the absorption of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C. Also read our blog about Drinking alcohol and your new tattoo, do they go together?

The last tip we can give you: Keep a close eye on your tattoo during the healing process!

Pay close attention to how your tattoo develops. During this period, the risk of infection or inflammation of your tattoo is highest.

Then prepare for your tattoo care. Even before you go to the tattoo studio. Then, after getting tattooed, you can immediately start caring for your new tattoo. We have put together convenient value bundles for you.

Also discover our other blogs about tattoo aftercare:

• Tattoo aftercare - all ins and outs at a glance
• Can you apply sunscreen to your new tattoo?
• My tattoo keeps itching. How do I get rid of it?
• Help, my tattoo is bleeding!
• How long does a finger tattoo last?
• How to prepare for your first tattoo?
• What to consider for a tattoo cover-up?
• Alcohol and your new tattoo. Do they go together?
• Moisturizing your new tattoo
• When is your tattoo healed?
• How to use tattoo film?
• How to keep your tattoo beautiful in the sun
• Swimming with your new tattoo. Do's & don'ts
• Cleaning your tattoo
• Exercising with your new tattoo. Do's & don'ts
• Sleeping with your new tattoo
• What is a tattoo blowout?