Getting the tattoo is only half of it. How you look after your skin in the weeks that follow has a direct impact on how the work heals, how the colour holds, and how the detail sits long term. Aftercare isn't optional — it's part of the process.
Your artist will walk you through their specific recommendations at the end of your session. Follow those first. What's below is a general guide to what good aftercare looks like and why it matters.
The first 24 hours
Leave the wrapping on: Your artist will cover your tattoo before you leave the studio. Leave it on for the time they recommend — usually between two and four hours for a standard wrap, or up to several days for a second skin bandage. The covering protects the area from bacteria and keeps it from drying out too quickly.
The first wash: When it's time to remove the wrap, wash the tattoo gently with clean hands, lukewarm water, and a fragrance-free soap. Pat it dry with a clean paper towel — don't rub. Let it air for a few minutes before applying anything to it.
The first two weeks
Moisturise regularly: Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free, alcohol-free moisturiser two to three times a day. You don't need much — a thin layer is enough. Over-moisturising is just as problematic as under-moisturising. The skin needs to breathe.
Don't pick or scratch: The tattoo will peel and it will itch. Both are completely normal parts of the healing process. Do not pick, scratch, or peel the skin. Pulling off peeling skin before it's ready can lift ink and leave patchy, uneven results. Let it come off on its own.
Keep it out of the sun: UV exposure on a healing tattoo is one of the fastest ways to damage it. Keep the area covered when you're outside and avoid direct sunlight until it's fully healed. Once healed, apply SPF whenever the tattoo is exposed — this applies permanently, not just during healing.
Avoid soaking: No swimming, baths, spas, or saunas while the tattoo is healing. Submerging a fresh tattoo in water — especially chlorinated or salt water — can draw ink out and introduce bacteria. Showers are fine, just keep them short and avoid direct water pressure on the area.
What to watch for
Some redness, swelling, and sensitivity in the first few days is completely normal. What isn't normal is excessive swelling, oozing, a bad smell, or a rash spreading beyond the tattooed area. If you're concerned that something isn't healing the way it should, contact your artist or a medical professional sooner rather than later.
The long game
A tattoo isn't fully healed until the deeper layers of skin have settled, which can take anywhere from four to six weeks, sometimes longer, depending on the size and placement. Even after it looks healed on the surface, treat it with care.
Good aftercare now means better work for the rest of your life. It's worth doing properly.
Questions about how your tattoo is healing? DM @mainstreettattooperth and we'll help you out.
