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- Day by Day Tattoo Aftercare<\/a><\/li>\n
- Eyebrow, Eyeliner and Lip Tattoo Aftercare<\/a><\/li>\n
- Why Tattoo Aftercare Matters<\/a><\/li>\n
- Important Tattoo Aftercare Tips<\/a><\/li>\n
- Tips to Make Your Tattoo Heal Faster<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Shower with a New Tattoo<\/a><\/li>\n
- 6 Best Tattoo Aftercare Products<\/a><\/li>\n
- What to Do If Your Tattoo Gets Infected<\/a><\/li>\n
- Summary<\/a><\/li>\n
- FAQs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tattoo Aftercare Day by Day: Instructions Sheet<\/h2>\n
![\"Tattoo](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Tattoo-Aftercare-Day-by-Day-\u2013-Instructions-Sheet.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
Credit: @jessicagroberge<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Before we delve into our list, we highly recommend that you ask your tattoo artist<\/strong> what they recommend for your tattoo aftercare. Not only will they have expert knowledge, but they\u2019ll also be able to give bespoke advice if you have a tattoo in an awkward location.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, your tattoo artist will be able to gauge how quickly you will heal better than any online guide, simply because they have first-hand experience tattooing your skin and seeing how your body is responding!<\/p>\n
If, for whatever reason, your tattoo artist doesn\u2019t provide you with clear and simple instructions, just follow these steps instead. Make sure you bookmark this page so you can come back to our tattoo aftercare instructions sheet whenever you need to.<\/p>\n
Immediately After Getting a Tattoo<\/h3>\n
Day 1<\/strong> \u2013 during the first day, your tattoo will be wrapped in plastic and a bandage by the tattoo artist. The tattoo needs to stay covered for several hours (2 to 4 hours on average). After removing the covering, the skin will ooze with plasma and\/or blood, and the skin will be red and feel irritated. After cleaning your hands, you should wash the tattoo with antibacterial, fragrance-free soap, and lukewarm water.<\/p>\n
It’s important during this stage that you:<\/p>\n
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- Don\u2019t scrub it with any pressure at all, just let water and soap wash over it,<\/li>\n
- Use lukewarm water, not too cold or too hot,<\/li>\n
- Don\u2019t place the tattoo directly under a stream of water. Use your hand(s) to gently slosh soapy water over the tattoo to clean it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When you dry the tattoo, you just want to gently pat it at most<\/strong>. It\u2019s best to use kitchen paper towel, so it can be immediately disposed of.<\/p>\n
Wrapping the Tattoo<\/h4>\n
Although you need to take the plastic off after a few hours to clean the tattoo, it makes sense to want to wrap it again afterward!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s always best to let your tattoo breathe <\/strong>in fresh clean air where possible, but if your tattoo is going to be exposed to sunlight or rub against fabric clothing, then wrapping it will protect it. Use a protective and breathable tattoo film.<\/p>\n
During Those First Days<\/h3>\n
Days 2 to 3<\/strong> \u2013 continue washing the tattoo daily, following the steps for day 1. When the tattoo scabs over and stops oozing, don\u2019t cover it with plastic wrap. Usually at this point you don\u2019t need to moisturize the tattooed area; instead, let the tattoo and skin dry naturally. Since a fresh tattoo is a fresh open wound, you don\u2019t want to be putting creams and lotions on it (this might extend the healing process).<\/p>\n
During these days, the ink is still fresh, so you may notice some excess ink draining away when washing the tattoo. You can wash the tattoo 2 to 3 times a day if it needs it. But try not to go overboard!<\/p>\n
You will notice some scabs forming and the tattoo becoming duller in appearance. These are signs that your skin is healing. Once your scabs are full formed, toward the end of the week, you can start applying moisturizer and\/or ointment, if directed to by the tattoo artist.<\/p>\n
Day 7<\/strong> \u2013 the scabs will surely start to form by now, so you need to refrain from picking them. If you do pick the scabs, the skin will end up scarred, and we don\u2019t want that. It can actually warp the tattoo design!<\/p>\n
You will still need to properly wash and clean the tattoo, at least once or twice a week. It is essential you moisturize the tattoo at this point too, but don\u2019t aggravate or over wash it. See our recommendations for tattoo moisturizer below \u2013 it\u2019s important that you use some to prevent the tattoo drying out.<\/p>\n
Applying Ointment, Balm, or Moisturizer<\/h4>\n
The key is to apply a small amount and spread it evenly. It should coat the tattoo but also be absorbed quickly. If you apply your product and there\u2019s still streaks of moisture across the tattoo, that\u2019s a sign that you\u2019ve used too much.<\/p>\n
We\u2019d go so far as to say that you should use too little! Apply only a small amount \u2013 just enough to cover the tattoo completely \u2013 because you can always add another thin coat later, if it starts to itch or feel dry. It\u2019s easier to add more moisture than take it away.<\/p>\n
Also Read:\u00a06 Best Healing & Aftercare Ointment For Tattoos (Natural Ingredients, Suitable For All Skin Types)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
During Those First Weeks<\/h3>\n
![\"During](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/During-Those-First-Weeks-of-tattoo.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
Credit: @electric__anna<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Day 14<\/strong> \u2013 the formed scabs will start to come off at this point, but you still shouldn\u2019t pick them. Let them come off naturally. You will start to experience extreme skin itchiness, so it is essential to stay calm and refrain from scratching the tattoo. You can use a balm or moisturizer to mitigate the itching \u2013 most contain ingredients that are designed to stop the itching naturally.<\/p>\n
By now, if your tattoo and the skin surrounding it is red, sore, and warm to touch, make sure to contact your tattoo artist or your doctor. These are signs of an infection, along with more obvious signs such as oozing pus and a bad odor.<\/p>\n
During That First Month<\/h3>\n
Days 20 to 30<\/strong> \u2013 at this point, the tattoo is still healing, but the scabs should be gone, and the skin is no longer flaky. You still need to keep washing and moisturizing the tattooed area, even if the itching and dryness is gone. This will ensure it heals completely and looks good!<\/p>\n
Keeping a tattoo moisturized is actually a key way to keep it looking bright and sharp.<\/p>\n
3 months<\/strong> \u2013 by now, the tattoo should be completely healed, including all the tattoo and skin layers beneath\/around it. It should look bright and vivid, not dull and cloudy in appearance. If there\u2019s some part of the design that doesn\u2019t look quite right, then don\u2019t panic. Having touch-up sessions is quite common and your original tattoo artist can arrange this easily.<\/p>\n
Extra Tips for Eyebrow, Lip, and Eyeliner Tattoo Aftercare<\/h2>\n
![\"Extra](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Extra-Tips-for-Eyebrow-Lip-and-Eyeliner-Tattoo-Aftercare.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
Credit: @peachyansley<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Tattoos on your facial area require a little more care. Your face is a very sensitive area and it\u2019s also the most exposed area of skin, with direct exposure to UV rays from sunlight, pollution, and the elements.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll also be more likely to unconsciously touch your face and the tattoo area during the day, but this can be detrimental to the healing process. So, follow these extra tips:<\/p>\n
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- Stay indoors as much as possible during those early days and wear a hat if you go outside, to keep your face in the shade,<\/li>\n
- Wash with fragrance-free, alcohol-free, anti-bacterial soap \u2013 see product recommendations below,<\/li>\n
- Use a light moisturizer, even lighter than one you\u2019d use on your body,<\/li>\n
- Don\u2019t pop zits or touch acne, just let them go through their cycle naturally,<\/li>\n
- Don\u2019t apply any acne-targeting skincare products (face wash, serum, or cream) as the astringent ingredients can lighten and discolor your tattoos,<\/li>\n
- Choose a natural sunscreen that\u2019s low in chemicals but high in SPF protection. You need SPF 35 as a minimum but if you can find a light SPF 50 lotion, use that instead.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
With tattoos on your face, it\u2019s important that you use a face-care routine that\u2019s suitable for your ink. Any skincare product that\u2019s loaded with chemicals, exfoliates, or is thick and heavy will be unsuitable for your skin. The last thing you want to do is clog pores and cause acne or disrupt the ink and speed up the fading process!<\/p>\n
Note<\/strong>: as much as we try to keep our face tattoos looking bright and vibrant, they will naturally fade faster than other tattoos over time. If you have a tattoo on or inside your lip, it will fade even faster. There\u2019s nothing you can do to stop this, it\u2019s just due to the faster turnover of skin cells. Essentially, your skin regenerates and heals faster on your face and in your mouth than elsewhere on your body!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Why New Tattoo Aftercare is So Important<\/h2>\n
You might be tempted to skip some of the aftercare steps or look for ways to speed up the healing process. While there are legitimate ways to help your tattoo heal quickly (we\u2019ve listed these in a section below) it\u2019s important to understand why <\/em>thorough aftercare is needed and why <\/em>parts of it simply cannot be rushed.<\/p>\n
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- Eyebrow, Eyeliner and Lip Tattoo Aftercare<\/a><\/li>\n