Care for your
new ink.
A tattoo is only as good as how it heals. Follow these instructions carefully — they are written by the same people who made your tattoo, and they apply to every style we work in.
If you received different verbal instructions at the studio, follow those — they may be specific to your tattoo or skin type.
The first few hours
0 – 4 hours after your session
Keep the wrap on
We'll cover your fresh tattoo before you leave the studio. Keep it on for the time we recommend.
Do not touch it
Your tattoo is an open wound. Hands carry bacteria. Resist the urge to peek, touch, or adjust the wrap.
Stay calm
Light redness and minor swelling around the tattoo is completely normal. This is your body responding to the work — not a sign of infection.
Days one to three
The critical window
Wash gently, twice a day
Wash the fresh tattoo with plain water using clean hands. Rub gently, then pat dry with a tissue.
Moisturise with a thin layer
Apply a very small amount of A&D ointment after washing, as advised by the artist.
Wear loose clothing
Fabric rubbing against a fresh tattoo causes irritation and pulls colour. Wear loose, breathable clothing over the area — cotton is ideal.
No soaking
Showers are fine. Baths, swimming pools, rivers, and the sea are not. Keep the tattoo out of standing water entirely for the first two to three weeks.
Days four to fourteen
The peeling phase
Peeling is normal — do not pick
Your skin will begin to peel, flake, and possibly itch around day four to five. This is the outer layer of damaged skin shedding. Let it fall off naturally — picking tears out ink and leaves patchy spots.
Do not scratch
If the itch is intense, slap the skin gently rather than scratching. Scratching introduces bacteria and damages the healing surface. Keep it moisturised — dry skin itches more.
Avoid direct sunlight
UV light is the number one cause of tattoo fading and colour damage. Keep the healing tattoo fully out of direct sun. Cover it with clothing, not sunscreen — SPF can be used once the skin is fully closed.
Continue the wash and moisturise routine
Twice a day, every day, until peeling is complete. Once peeling stops and the skin looks smooth and settled, you can reduce to once a day.
Weeks three to six
Long-term healing
The surface heals before the deep layers
The skin may look fully healed after two to three weeks, but the deeper layers take three to six months to settle completely. Treat your tattoo carefully throughout this period.
Use SPF once healed
Once the skin is fully closed and no longer peeling, apply SPF 50+ sunscreen whenever the tattoo is exposed to sun. This is not optional — it's the single most important thing you can do to keep the tattoo looking sharp for decades.
Moisturise daily
Make moisturising part of your daily routine indefinitely. Well-hydrated skin keeps ink looking vibrant and defined.
Swimming and gym
Avoid swimming pools and open water for at least three weeks. Chlorine bleaches ink and pool water carries infection risk. Gym is fine, but wash and moisturise after sweating on the tattoo.
What not to do.
Picking, scratching, or peeling the skin
Soaking in baths, pools, rivers, or the sea for 3 weeks
Direct sun exposure without clothing coverage for 3 weeks
Tight clothing rubbing directly on the fresh tattoo
Applying sunscreen before the skin is fully closed
Shaving over the tattooed area while it's healing
Alcohol consumption 24 hours before and during healing (affects blood thinning and healing)
Applying Vaseline or petroleum jelly too thickly — it suffocates skin
Using heavily fragranced lotions or soaps on the fresh tattoo
Aftercare explained.
More questions?
Check the FAQ or message us directly.