Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
Getting a tattoo is an exciting process! After carefully choosing your design and placement, you now have a meaningful piece of art that you’re eager to show off. But before you do, proper aftercare is essential to ensure it heals without issues. Taking care of your tattoo is simple—keep your skin clean and dry, avoid excessive exposure, and follow all aftercare instructions. Neglecting this step can lead to irritation, infection, or fading. A well-healed tattoo looks better and lasts longer, so take the time to care for your new ink properly!
Removing Bandage
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☆ Your tattoo has been covered with Second Skin or a spray adhesive specifically designed for tattoos.
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☆ Second Skin: Leave it on for up to 5 days—itʼs waterproof, sweatproof, dirtproof, and skin-tight.
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★ If it starts peeling or lifting early, remove it and follow the standard cleaning & moisturizing routine below.
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☆ Spray adhesive: This will naturally wear off over time. Once itʼs gone, begin your regular aftercare routine.
Wash
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☆ Once you remove Second Skin or your spray adhesive wears off, wash your tattoo with fragrance-free
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antibacterial liquid soap using only your hands. Do not scrub.
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☆ Pat dry with a clean paper towel—never rub.
Hydrate
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☆ For the first 2 days after removing the bandage: Use A&D ointment only.
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☆ Around days 3–4, your tattoo will start to peel—this is normal! Do not pick at the peeling skin.
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☆ Begin using an unscented, dye-free lotion to keep your tattoo moisturized.
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☆ Continue applying lotion for at least 2 weeks, 1–2 times daily.
Sleeping & Clothing
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☆ On the first night, consider wrapping your tattoo in saran wrap to prevent it from sticking to your bedding.
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☆ Wear clean, soft clothing over your tattoo for the first two weeks. Avoid anything abrasive or irritating.
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☆ For foot tattoos: Go barefoot when possible. If wearing shoes, wrap your tattoo in saran wrap and cover it
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with a clean cotton sock. Avoid sandals or flip-flops.
Healing & General Care
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☆ Do not pick at peeling or flaking skin—this is a normal part of healing.
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☆ Wear clean, soft clothing over your tattoo to avoid irritation.
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☆ Avoid submerging your tattoo in water (no pools, baths, or hot tubs) for at least 2 weeks.
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☆ No direct sun exposure—keep your tattoo covered or use SPF once fully healed.
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Day 1
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The first few days after getting your tattoo, you want to treat it as an open wound. You need to take care to keep it clean and dry, moisturize it, avoid direct sunlight, and do not submerge it in water. It is important to consider the environment you work in and the climate as hot weather or physical work will result in more sweat, and you will need to clean your skin regularly. Your skin will likely appear red and feel warm.
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Day 2
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The aftercare for your tattoo on the second day will be similar to the first. You can repeat the steps mentioned above to ensure it is kept clean and hydrated. You want to continue treating it like it is a wound. By day two, you should not be using a bandage anymore; some tattoo artists may have requested you keep yours on longer than average.
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Day 3
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It is possible, especially for smaller designs, that your tattoo will already look as if it has healed. It isn’t, so you want to continue taking the appropriate measures to keep it clean and hydrated for several weeks to avoid infection.
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Week Two
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From day one to week two, you want to continue repeating the steps to keep your tattoo clean, dry, and moisturized. At this time, any redness or swelling that you may have had should have disappeared, and the scabs may be flaking off. You want to take extra care to be gentle when cleaning your tattoo to prevent ripping the scabs.
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Week Three and After
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Everyone heals at different times, and how fast your tattoo will heal depends on the placement and size. Around week three and after, most of the scabs and flakes should have disappeared. Your skin should not appear red or swollen, and the outer layer of the skin has healed. At this point, it is much harder for your tattoo to become infected. However, you still want to follow the steps to clean and moisturize the area daily and avoid direct sunlight.
TIPS
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Keep your tattoo clean by regularly washing it.
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Use a fragrance-free soap to prevent irritation and wash with warm water.
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Pat the skin dry with a paper towel after washing it. Wait some minutes to make sure it is completely dry before adding moisturizer.
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Find a great unscented lotion for aftercare.
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Use clean bedsheets to prevent infection or irritation.
AVOID
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Never pick at the scabs or scratch the skin, even if it is itchy.
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Do not stop cleaning and caring for your tattoo, even if it appears to be healed in the first few weeks.
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Remember that colored tattoos and larger pieces take longer to heal, give it time, and do not rush this process.
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Avoid submerging your tattoo in water.
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Keep it away from direct sunlight and even after it has healed, use sunscreen.