top of page

Tattoo Aftercare

Healing Your New Tattoo

Follow Me

  • Shade Tattoo Studio Instagram
  • Shade Tattoo Studio TikTok
  • Shade Tattoo Studio Facebook

Day of Your Appointment

  • Leave your bandage on for at least 4 hours. You may leave it on overnight if you have a later appointment or want to keep it protected while you sleep.

  • Avoid excessive activity or sweating.

The First Wash

  1. Thoroughly wash your hands before touching your new tattoo.

  2. When you remove your bandage, you’ll notice excess Vaseline, blood, and ink on your tattoo. You will gently wash this off. 

  3. Wash your tattoo with UNSCENTED soap (I like this one). Lather the soap in your hands, using your fingertips to gently clean your tattoo.

  4. Pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel. 

  5. Let your tattoo breathe. Leave it un-bandaged and wear loose, comfortable clothing.

The Healing Process

Your new tattoo is an open wound that needs to be kept clean in order to heal properly:

  • For the first week, wash your tattoo two times a day.

  • On the second or third day, you’ll notice that your tattoo will feel tight and dry. You can now add UNSCENTED lotion to your washing routine. 

  • Apply a thin layer of lotion at a time and let it soak in. If your tattoo becomes dry and itchy later, you can always layer on a little more lotion. 

  • Your tattoo may get flaky or scab slightly as it goes through stages of healing. Do not pick off scabs as they may take pigment with them. If scabs or flakes come off while you’re washing your tattoo, that means they were ready to come off.

  • The average tattoo takes 2 weeks to heal. Depending on your body and the tattoo, your healing process could be faster or slower than this average.

Washing Hands

What NOT To Do With Your New Tattoo

  • Do NOT submerge your tattoo in water for 2 weeks (no swimming, baths, or hot tubs).

  • Do NOT tan or expose your healing tattoo to the sun.

  • Do NOT pick or scratch your tattoo.

  • Do NOT wear tight clothing that will rub your healing tattoo.

  • Do NOT touch your healing tattoo with dirty hands.

  • Do NOT let people or pets touch your healing tattoo.

Contact Your Artist If:

  • Your tattoo is red and warm to the touch. Irritation is expected the day of your tattoo and likely the following day. If it persists, contact your artist.

  • Your tattoo is oozing or has excessive scabbing.

  • You develop a rash or reaction around your tattoo.

  • You have questions about the healing process.

bottom of page