Your tattoo is a fresh wound. How you treat it in the first two weeks determines how it heals — and how it looks for the rest of your life. Follow these instructions carefully.
Your tattoo will leave the studio wrapped in cling film or a second-skin bandage. Keep this on for a minimum of 2 hours, up to 4 hours for larger pieces.
When you remove the wrap, wash your hands first. Gently remove the wrap and wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free soap.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel — never a cloth towel, which can harbour bacteria. Allow 10 minutes of air dry time.
Apply a very thin layer of unscented moisturiser — Hustle Butter, Bepanthen, or a plain fragrance-free lotion. Less is more. If it looks shiny, you've used too much.
Second skin bandage? If your artist applied a Saniderm or Dermalize film, leave it on for 3–5 days. Some plasma and ink pooling under the film is completely normal. Remove it in the shower — peel slowly from one corner while running warm water over it.
Wash twice a day — morning and night — with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap. No scrubbing. Fingertips only.
After each wash, pat dry and apply a thin layer of moisturiser. Repeat 3–4 times during the day if the skin feels tight or dry.
Wear loose, soft clothing over the tattoo. Avoid anything that rubs or sits tight — waistbands, bra straps, gym wear.
Some redness, swelling, and weeping is completely normal in the first 48 hours. This is your body healing, not a problem.
Signs to watch for: Swelling that gets worse after day 2, skin hot to the touch, yellow or green discharge, or a rash spreading beyond the tattoo. Contact us or your GP — these are signs of infection.
Your tattoo will begin to peel like sunburn. This is normal — the top layer of skin is shedding. The ink is not coming off with it.
Do not pick or pull at peeling skin. Let it fall away naturally. Picking can pull ink and create patchy areas that require a touch-up.
It may become itchy. Slap it gently rather than scratch — scratching risks infection and can damage the ink underneath.
Continue moisturising daily. Once or twice a day is enough at this stage — too much product can clog pores and cause spots.
The tattoo may look cloudy or dull under the peeling skin. Once the skin settles, the contrast and clarity will return.
The surface will look healed but deeper skin layers are still settling. Avoid prolonged sun exposure for at least 6 weeks.
When outdoors, apply SPF 50 over the tattoo. UV is the single biggest cause of tattoo fading over time — make it a habit for life.
You can now submerge in water once the surface is fully healed with no scabbing or peeling remaining.
Keep moisturising regularly as part of your routine. Well-hydrated skin keeps ink vibrant for longer.
Touch-ups: All tattoos are welcome back for a complimentary touch-up once fully healed — please book within 6 weeks of your appointment. If you feel anything needs attention, get in touch and we'll take a look.
Redness, swelling, weeping plasma. Keep clean, moisturised, and protected from friction.
Swelling reduces. Surface feels tight. A thin film may form — this is not a scab, leave it alone.
Skin sheds like sunburn. Itching is common. Do not scratch or pick. The ink is fine.
Peeling completes. Tattoo may look milky — deeper skin layers still settling underneath.
Ink locks in, colours sharpen, contrast returns. SPF from here on is your best long-term investment.
If anything needs attention, book your complimentary touch-up within 6 weeks of your appointment. We'll make it right.
If you're worried about how your tattoo is healing, don't wait and wonder — reach out. We'd rather you message us than stress about it.