AFTERCARE

Tattoo Aftercare Guide

Immediate Care

Once your tattoo is finished, it will be wrapped with a bandage.

  • Keep the bandage on for 2 hours unless you cannot safely wash it right away (for example, if you’re not heading straight home).
  • For larger pieces, it is okay to leave the bandage on overnight.
  • After removing the bandage, there is no need to rewrap.

Proper Washing

Before washing your tattoo, make sure your hands are clean.

  • Gently wash the tattoo with mild, fragrance-free soap.
  • Use a clean towel or disposable paper towel to pat dry — do not rub or scrub.

Clean handling supports the skin’s natural repair process and minimizes the risk of infection by limiting microbes on healing skin.

Moisturize & Protect

A. Magic Molecule + Lotion

  • What it is: A hypochlorous acid solution contains a gentle antimicrobial compound naturally produced by the body to fight bacteria and support healing. It has been used in wound care and dermatology for many years as a safe way to keep skin clean while it heals.
  • How it works: HOCl is both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, helping maintain a bacteria-controlled environment on healing skin without harming healthy tissue.
  • How to use:
    1. Spray or mist the clean tattoo lightly and allow it to air dry.
    2. Follow with a very thin layer of unscented lotion to maintain hydration without smothering the skin.
    3. Repeat this spray + lotion routine 2–3 times daily until the skin has returned to normal (typically about 2 weeks).

This supports the skin’s barrier repair while keeping the area protected and hydrated.

B. Aquaphor / A&D Ointment

  • What it is: Petrolatum-based ointments that create a protective barrier over the skin, trapping moisture to prevent excessive dryness and support epidermal formation.
  • How it works: The breathable barrier prevents water loss and contamination, allowing the skin to rebuild its outer layer.
  • Why thin layers matter: Applying too much ointment can suffocate the skin, trap moisture, and cause irritation. Always use a very thin layer (pea-sized amount).
  • How to use:
    1. Apply a very thin layer over the clean tattoo 2–3 times daily for the first 2 days.
    2. After initial protection, continue thin layers of ointment as needed while also switching to an unscented lotion for more frequent moisturizing. Both can be used together for comfort and healing.

Other tips:

  • Shower normally but avoid letting shampoo or soap saturate the tattoo.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing to reduce friction and irritation.

Quick Healing Guide

  • Days 1–2/3: Skin is still “open” and actively repairing its barrier. Keep clean and lightly moisturized with very thin layers.
  • Days 3–6: Skin barrier is rebuilding. Continue washing gently and using thin layers of ointment or lotion.
  • Days 7–14: Surface healing is mostly complete; barrier strengthening continues. Maintain thin, frequent moisturizing.
  • Weeks 3–4: Skin has returned to full function. Ink is stable; continue gentle care and sun protection.

Detailed Healing – What Your Skin Is Doing

Days 1–2/3: Skin Is Open

Your tattooed skin is a break in the epidermis. Your body activates its inflammatory response to rebuild the barrier and defend against microbes.

Days 3–6: Barrier Rebuilding

New epidermal cells migrate to cover and seal the surface. Tiny flakes or thin scabs may form as the skin reconstructs its protective layer.

Days 7–14: Strengthening & Maturation

The new surface layer is mostly formed but still vulnerable. Continued gentle care — including thin layers of moisturizer — supports proper epidermal maturation.

Weeks 3–4: Functional Recovery

The skin barrier is fully restored. Ink is stable, and the tattoo appears settled and integrated with your skin.

What to Avoid and Why

During healing, the skin’s barrier is being rebuilt. Certain exposures can disrupt this process, delay recovery, or increase infection risk:

  • Swimming / Soaking / Baths: Introduces bacteria and weakens the forming barrier.
  • Strong Sun / Tanning Beds: UV damages new skin cells and prolongs inflammation.
  • Scratching / Picking: Scabs protect healing tissue; removing them tears skin and delays repair.
  • Tight or Abrasive Clothing: Friction damages fragile epidermis and slows healing.
  • Heavy or Scented Products: Can irritate skin, provoke inflammation, or clog pores.

Tattoo-Specific Aftercare Products

Products marketed as tattoo-specific may contain soothing or moisturizing ingredients, but most do not offer anything fundamentally different from quality fragrance-free moisturizers.

  • What matters most is:
    • Clean handling and washing
    • Supporting the skin barrier with thin layers of moisture
    • Avoiding irritants or overly occlusive products
  • Many unscented, dye-free, non-comedogenic lotions (e.g., Lubriderm, Aveeno, Eucerin) perform as well as tattoo-branded products.
  • Tattoo-specific products are optional, but not required for proper healing.