Aftercare
Heal it right.
Half of a good tattoo is how it heals. This is the same guide you take home, day by day, including the messy parts nobody posts about.
Healing timeline
What's normal, and when.
Your artist may give you slightly different steps for your skin or wrap. Theirs win.
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Day 0
Session day
Your artist covers the tattoo with a clear adhesive film (often called second skin). Leave it on.
Some ink and fluid under the film is normal. It looks messy. That's fine.
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Days 1 to 3
Keep the film on
Redness, warmth and some swelling are normal. Sleep on clean sheets.
If the film leaks or lifts, take it off early, wash gently, and start the lotion routine below.
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Days 3 to 5
Film off, wash gently
Peel the film off slowly in a warm shower, low and along the skin, not straight up.
Wash 2 or 3 times a day with fragrance-free soap. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Add a thin layer of unscented lotion.
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Days 5 to 14
Flaking and itching
It will flake like a sunburn and itch. Don't pick, scratch or peel. Tap it or add a little lotion.
No swimming, baths, hot tubs or saunas yet. Showers are fine.
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Weeks 2 to 4
Surface healed
The top layer has closed. It may look cloudy or shiny for a while. That clears up.
Once fully healed, use sunscreen on it every time it sees sun. Not before.
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Months 1 to 3
Settled
Deeper skin finishes healing and the true colors show. Spot a light patch? Book your free touch-up within 90 days.
Do
- Wash your hands before touching it
- Use fragrance-free soap and unscented lotion
- Wear loose, clean clothes over it
- Sleep on clean sheets for the first week
- Drink water and get some sleep
Don't
- Pick, scratch or peel the flakes
- Swim, soak or use a hot tub for 2 weeks
- Put it in the sun or a tanning bed
- Use petroleum jelly or thick ointments
- Let pets or anyone else touch it
When it's not normal healing
Redness that keeps spreading after day 3, heat, swelling that gets worse, pus, red streaks or a fever are not normal healing. See a doctor or urgent care first, then tell us. Ink allergies are rare but real: itchy, raised skin in only one color is worth a doctor's visit.
We're tattoo artists, not doctors. We'll always help, but medical questions go to a medical professional first.
Touch-ups
Light spots happen.
Skin doesn't always take ink evenly, especially with fine line. That isn't a mistake; it's skin. Wait until the tattoo has fully healed (about 6 weeks), then send a photo in daylight.
One touch-up session within 90 days is free if you followed aftercare. Hands, fingers, feet and lips heal unpredictably, so touch-ups there are charged at the hourly rate.
Piercing aftercare
Saline, patience, downsize.
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Spray sterile saline (wound wash) twice a day. Let it dry; no cotton balls.
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Don't twist, turn or play with the jewelry.
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Sleep on the other side. A travel pillow helps for ears.
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Skip ointments, alcohol and tea tree oil. They dry and irritate.
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Come back in 4 to 8 weeks to downsize to a shorter post.
Typical healing times
- Lobe
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Upper lobe
- 2 to 3 months
- Nostril
- 4 to 6 months
- Septum
- 2 to 3 months
- Helix, flat, forward helix
- 6 to 12 months
- Tragus, conch, daith, rook
- 6 to 12 months
- Navel
- 6 to 12 months
Irritation bump or a piercing that hurts more after the first week? Come by and let Jules look. Checks are free.
Worried about how it looks?
Text a clear photo to the studio. We answer during open hours, usually the same day.
Healed and ready for the next one?
Most of our clients come back for a second piece. Book a free consult and bring the idea.