Tattoo Aftercare — Classic Tattoo (2024)

FAQs

Tattoo Aftercare — Classic Tattoo? ›

Do not rub. Wash 2-3 times a day for the first 2 days, once a day for the remainder of the healing time, or as needed. After first 2-5 days, when your tattoo has begun to dry out, apply only a light layer of unscented lotion (we recommend Aveeno) 2-3 times per day, until skin returns to normal (around 4 weeks).

Traditional Tattoo Healing

Clean the tattoo with water 2-3 times throughout the first day. With clean hands: Apply a very thin coat of A&D vitamin ointment 2-3 times for the first 3 days. Be sure to wear loose clothing and allow tattooed skin to breathe for those 3 days.

Carefully wash your tattoo area three times a day with soap and water, and gently pat it dry. Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean your tattoo to keep it moist. After 5 days, you can switch from an antibiotic ointment to a gentle fragrance-free body lotion.

Once the tattoo is dry apply AQUAPHOR healing ointment, made by Eucerin. Apply a thin layer and rub it in, then dab excess off with a clean paper towel. Use the Aquaphor for the first 2-3 days then switch to a regular FRAGRANCE-FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance-free brand.

Poor aftercare

Not taking proper aftercare precautions could also contribute to patchiness; picking scabs off your new tattoo, swimming or submerging it in the bath, exposing it to UV rays while it's still in the early stages of healing could all lead to ink loss and patchiness.

​ You skin needs air to heal, too much use of petroleum jelly / or any aftercare product can suffocate skin and may lead to infection. ​ Tattooed skin is like any open wound (like scratch wound), too much dust around, or too much water can let bacteria to enter the wound and multiply fast.

Infection is the most common reason to see a doctor after a tattoo. If a person does not care for it properly, a tattoo can become infected with bacteria. An infected tattoo will be warm, inflamed, and painful to the touch. The skin may also ooze pus or have a rash.

You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.

Aftercare starts as soon as your tattoo is done. Your artist should apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment over the tattoo and then cover the area in a bandage or plastic wrap.

Tattoo should not look “soggy”. DO NOT use products containing Aloe Vera, Alcohol or Cortisone.

How to tell if a tattoo is over moisturized? ›

Signs of an over-moisturised tattoo include irritated, inflamed skin; scabs may appear on the tattoo, or the skin may look redder on and around the tattooed area. What's more, the ink could appear slightly blurred.

When the tattoo is dry to the touch, cover it completely with a new piece of plastic wrap, using small pieces of tape as needed to hold it in place. Do NOT use any healing ointment or moisturizer. With this method, the tattoo is kept completely covered with plastic wrap 24 hours a day, usually for 48-72 hours.

Rinse the tattoo gently until the skin is clean. Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel then allow to fully air dry for a minimum of 10 minutes. DO NOT SCRUB. Once the tattoo is dry, apply a very small amount of Aquaphor or Bacitracin.

A skin infection is possible after getting a tattoo. An infection might be due to contaminated ink or equipment that isn't sterilized correctly. Getting a tattoo at a studio that doesn't follow good safety steps also can raise your risk of a skin infection.

Tattoo blowouts occur when a tattoo artist presses too hard when applying ink to the skin. The ink is sent below the top layers of skin where tattoos belong. Below the skin's surface, the ink spreads out in a layer of fat. This creates the blurring associated with a tattoo blowout.

Wash 2-3 times a day for the first 2 days, once a day for the remainder of the healing time, or as needed. After first 2-5 days, when your tattoo has begun to dry out, apply only a light layer of unscented lotion (we recommend Aveeno) 2-3 times per day, until skin returns to normal (around 4 weeks).

Tattoos typically take two to four weeks to heal on the surface, but it can take three to six months to fully heal. The tattoo healing process typically involves a week of redness and oozing, followed by two to three weeks of itchiness and peeling. After about a month, the skin still internally heals.

Neo-traditional tattoos are similar to traditional tattoos but tend to have more complex color palettes and more variation in line weight. The subject matter for this tattoo style is also more varied, and there are beautiful examples of neo-traditional animals, people, and plant life.

"If you are doing a color tattoo that is more the traditional tattoo style where flat solid colors are required, it will be much quicker. If you are doing a more complex realistic style of color tattoo that requires layers of colors and different color gradations, it will take much longer," says Dagger.