AFTER CARE OVERVIEW
A fresh tattoo is an open wound, and how you care for it in the first few weeks directly affects both healing and the longevity of the ink. Follow these guidelines carefully and please reach out to coblou.tattoo@gmail.com if you have any questions!
Second Skin / Adhesive Bandage (Saniderm, Second Skin, Tegaderm)
Depending on the circumstances, you can leave your Second Skin bandage on for 1–4 days. Your skin will continue to heal underneath without needing air exposure. You may see ink, plasma, or fluid pooling beneath the film; this is completely normal. Remove the bandage in the shower by slowly peeling it back and across (not straight up) while holding the surrounding skin taut. Wash gently with unscented, fragrance-free soap, rinse thoroughly, and allow to air dry.
Click here for more in-depth information about Second Skin bandages.
Dry Bandage / Traditional Wrap
Try your best to keep your bandage on until you go to bed. At bedtime, remove and wash with unscented soap, allow to fully air dry, then re-bandage lightly for the night with a clean, sterile dressing. Repeat the wash each morning and evening until the skin has closed (around 3-5 days depending on tattoo size and ink coverage).
Click here for more in-depth information about Dry Healing.
Sun Protection
Avoid direct sunlight on your tattoo for a full month. If that’s unavoidable, cover it with a layer of breathable, loose clothing (preferably a natural fiber like cotton or linen). Once your tattoo is fully healed (typically 1 month), you may begin applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen. Please make sure your tattoo is fully healed, as sunscreen on an open or still-healing wound can irritate the skin and introduce bacteria.
Moisturizing
Begin moisturizing only once the skin has fully closed and entered the dry, peeling stage (Typically 4–5 days in.) Use a fragrance-free, water-based lotion formulated for sensitive skin. Apply thin layers, 2–3 times a day as needed. Never leave a thick coat of moisturizer on a healing tattoo as it suffocates the skin and slows healing. Avoid any product containing perfumes, essential oils, vitamin E, retinol, or other active ingredients. Also avoid petroleum-based products (like Vaseline), which can trap bacteria and draw out ink.
Click here for my in-depth guide to choosing your soap & moisturizer.
Water Exposure
No baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, or oceans for at least 14 days minimum (sometimes up to one month depending on the tattoo size and ink coverage) The best indicator that you’re ready is completing the full peeling stage. Showers are fine! Just keep them brief and avoid prolonged direct water pressure on the tattoo.
In the Shower:
Keep shampoo, conditioner, and body wash away from your tattoo. After showering, let air dry or if you must, pat dry with a clean paper towel. Avoid cloth towels at all costs. (they harbor bacteria and snag healing skin. Never rub your tattoo dry)
The Peeling Stage
As your tattoo heals, the skin will become dry and begin to peel or flake, similar to a peeling sunburn. This is a normal and necessary part of the process. Do not scratch, pick, or peel the skin. Doing so can pull ink and damage the design permanently.
Exercise and Sweating
Avoid intense exercise and excessive sweating for at least one week (longer for larger pieces). Sweat introduces bacteria into a fresh wound, and repeated skin stretching can cause ink to weep and affect healing. If you’re unsure how long you should stay away from the gym, just send me an email and I can give you specific recommendations based on your unique tattoo and exercise goals.
Pets and Environment
Keep pet hair (especially cat hair) away from your healing tattoo. When lounging at home or going to bed, wear a clean layer of clothing over the tattoo as a barrier.
Warning Signs
A healing tattoo should look and feel better each day. Watch for the following signs of infection and seek medical attention promptly if you notice: increasing redness or swelling (rather than gradual improvement), red streaks radiating from the tattoo, hot skin to the touch, excessive oozing or pus, or fever. These are not part of normal healing.
In Conclusion
Keep it clean, dry, and out of the sun, that’s the foundation! Wash gently twice a day for the first week. Let the skin breathe. Moisturize only once the skin is dry and peeling, using thin layers of a gentle, fragrance-free lotion. Resist the urge to over-moisturize, over-cover, or interfere with the natural healing process. Your skin knows what to do! Your job is simply to keep it clean and protected while it does.
If you have any questons or concerns about your healing tattoo, please reach out to me at coblou.tattoo@gmail.com and I’ll be more than happy to assist you!
