Healing

Aftercare Instructions

Follow this and your tattoo heals clean. Ignore it and you're paying for a touch-up.

1. Leave the wrap alone

Standard wrap comes off after 2 to 4 hours. If I put on a second-skin adhesive film, leave it 3 to 5 days — some fluid buildup under it is normal.

2. Wash it right

Wash with lukewarm water and unscented antibacterial soap, using only your clean hand. No washcloths, no scrubbing. Pat dry with a clean paper towel — never a bath towel.

3. Thin layer of ointment

First 3 days: a very thin layer of unscented healing ointment 2 to 3 times a day. Days 4 to 14: switch to unscented lotion. Too much product suffocates the tattoo.

4. Hands off

No picking, no scratching, no peeling flakes. That's how you pull ink out and end up needing a touch-up.

5. Stay out of water

No pools, lakes, hot tubs, or baths for 2 weeks. Showers are fine — keep them short and don't let hot water beat directly on it.

6. No sun, no gym mats

Keep it out of direct sun for 3 weeks, then use SPF 30+ forever to keep the black and gray from graying out. Skip heavy sweating and gym equipment for the first 4 to 5 days.

Healing timeline

Days 1–3: red, warm, and tender. Some ink and plasma weeping is normal.
Days 4–14: peeling and itching. Lotion only.
Weeks 3–4: looks cloudy or shiny — the top layer is still settling.
Month 2–3: fully healed. Free touch-ups within 90 days on anything that dropped out.

Spreading redness, thick yellow discharge, or a fever means see a doctor — then message me.

Questions? Message me on Facebook