Caring for your tattoo the first day

  • Keep the bandage (maximum 1 hour)
  • Wash your hands (before cleaning and touching the tattoo)
  • Wash the Tattoo (Wash it gently with barely lukewarm water, Apply mild antibacterial and antimicrobial liquid soap to the tattoo and rub it gently with your hands to remove any traces of blood, plasma or leaked ink.)
  • Let the tattoo dry (Let it dry or gently dab it with a clean paper towel)
  • Apply antibacterial cream (Bepanthen)

Helping your tattoo heal

  • Maintain the tattoo daily. Wash and moisturize daily until the scab is gone. This may take 1-4 weeks depending on the size and location of the tattoo
  • Avoid scratching or picking at your tattoo. Let the scabs dry and fall off on their own and do not try to speed the process by picking or scratching at the scabs.
  • Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight. Harsh sunlight can cause your skin to blister and discolor the tattoo a bit.
  • Avoid soaking the tattoo in water. Until the tattoo is fully healed, avoid swimming in a pool or the sea and soaking in the bathtub as well.
  • Wear clean and loose fitting clothing. Avoid tight-fitting or tattoo-tight items, especially in the beginning.
  • Avoid strenuous workouts. Until the tattoo is fully healed, before doing strenuous workouts. If the tattoo is large or near to the joint (like a knee or elbow), it may take longer to heal if you put too much pressure on the skin where the tattoo was made during the hard physical activity.

Tips

  • Use a clean old bed sheet for the first few nights in case the tattoo oozes when you’re in bed.
  • Make sure all your clothes and bath towels are perfectly clean during the healing period.
  • Check the ingredient list of the soaps and lotions you use to make sure they don’t contain any alcohol or artificial fragrances.
  • You may need someone else to help you care for your tattoo if it’s in a spot that’s difficult to reach.

Warning

  • Do not wash a new tattoo in hot water.
  • Do not keep the bandage for more than 1 hour.
  • Do not shave the tattooed skin until it is completely healed. If you shave the area around it, be careful to not to get shaving foam or cream on the tattooed area to avoid irritation.