Tattoo AFTER CARE

CLEANING YOUR TATTOO

Wash your tattoo 3 times a day using warm water and Dial antibacterial soap.

1. Always wash your hands first before touching your tattoo.
2. Using clean hands, gently wash the tattoo with warm water and Dial soap. Do not use a washcloth, loofah, sponge, or anything abrasive.
3. Gently remove any excess ointment, plasma, or buildup. Do not scrub.
4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
5. Pat the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub it.
6. Allow it to air dry for a few minutes before applying ointment.

After cleaning and drying your tattoo, apply a VERY THIN layer of A&D Ointment or Aquaphor.

Your tattoo should be lightly moisturized, not shiny, greasy, or heavily coated. Using too much ointment can trap excess moisture and irritate the tattoo.

Always wash your hands before applying ointment.

 HEALING

As your tattoo heals, it is normal for it to become dry, itchy, flaky, tender, or lightly scabbed. You may also experience mild redness, swelling, warmth, or a small amount of clear/plasma-like fluid during the first few days. Everyone heals differently, and healing time can vary depending on the size and placement of your tattoo, your skin, and how well aftercare instructions are followed.

DO NOT pick, peel, scratch, or pull at scabs or peeling skin. Allow everything to fall off naturally. Picking or scratching can pull ink from the skin, cause uneven healing or scarring, and increase your risk of infection. If your tattoo becomes itchy, gently wash it with warm water and Dial soap as needed to help soothe the area, then pat it dry with a clean paper towel.

Wear clean, loose-fitting clothing and avoid anything that constantly rubs, presses against, or irritates the tattoo. Keep your clothing, bedding, and anything else that regularly touches the tattoo clean. Do not allow pets to lick, rub against, or come into direct contact with your fresh tattoo.

NO swimming or soaking for 4–6 weeks. This includes swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, oceans, and baths. Showers are okay, but avoid allowing the tattoo to sit under running water or become saturated for long periods.

Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight and NO tanning beds while it is healing. Do not apply sunscreen to a fresh tattoo until the skin has completely healed. Once healed, use a high-SPF sunscreen when your tattoo is exposed to the sun to help protect the skin and prevent premature fading.

During the initial healing period, avoid excessive sweating, friction, and activities that repeatedly stretch or irritate the tattoo. Be especially careful during workouts if clothing or equipment will continuously rub against the area.

Do not apply alcohol, peroxide, scented lotions, perfumes, body sprays, or other harsh products directly to your fresh tattoo. Do not re-bandage the tattoo unless specifically instructed to do so by your artist.

Most importantly: keep your tattoo clean, don't over-moisturize it, don't pick or scratch it, and give your body time to heal.

CONCERNS

Contact a healthcare professional if you experience symptoms that are severe, worsening, or unusual, such as redness that continues spreading, increasing pain or swelling, pus-like drainage, red streaking from the tattoo, fever, chills, or other signs of infection.

When in doubt about how your tattoo is healing, you can also contact your tattoo artist with questions.

KEEP IT CLEAN. KEEP IT LIGHTLY MOISTURIZED. LET IT HEAL.

Do not pick it.
Do not scratch it.
Do not soak it.
Do not swim.
Do not expose it to prolonged sunlight.
Do not use tanning beds.

Your tattoo is an investment. Take care of it so it can heal properly and look its best for years to come.