How to care for your fresh tattoo

​Keep your bandage on

• Leave a standard plastic wrapping or soaker pad on for 2–6 hours.
• If your artist applied a Tegaderm/second-skin wrap, leave it on for 24–48 hours, unless it begins leaking, lifting significantly, or causes irritation.
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Clean gently
After removing the covering, wash your hands first. Then gently cleanse the tattoo with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap.
Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub, scrub, or use a washcloth or other abrasive material.

Moisturize lightly
If your tattoo feels dry or tight, apply a very thin layer of professional tattoo aftercare ointment or fragrance-free lotion. A little goes a long way. Avoid over-moisturizing.
For the first few days, gently wash your tattoo 1–2 times daily. Continue moisturizing sparingly as needed while it heals, usually over the next few weeks.

Protect your healing tattoo

• Do not swim, soak, take baths, or use hot tubs for about 2 weeks. Normal, quick showers are fine.
• Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight while it heals. Once healed, use sunscreen to help protect the artwork.
• Avoid heavy exercise, excessive sweating, and friction on the area for the first few days.
  
  

Peeling and itching are normal
Mild peeling, flaking, and itching are a normal part of healing. Do not scratch, pick, or peel your tattoo, as this can affect the healed result and increase the risk of infection.

When to seek medical advice
Contact a physician promptly if you notice worsening redness, heat, swelling, pain, pus or other drainage, red streaking, fever, or signs of a reaction.