Tattoo Aftercare: How to Heal a New Tattoo
How you care for a fresh tattoo in the first couple of weeks has a big impact on how it looks for years. Always follow your artist's specific instructions — this is a general guide to healthy healing.
Leave the wrap on as directed
Your artist will cover the tattoo. Leave the initial wrap on for the time they recommend, then wash your hands before removing it.
Clean it gently
Wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free soap, using your fingertips — no washcloths. Pat dry with a clean paper towel; don't rub.
Moisturize, don't smother
Apply a thin layer of a fragrance-free healing lotion or ointment a few times a day. Too much product suffocates the skin, so keep the layer light.
Protect it while it heals
Avoid direct sun, swimming pools, hot tubs, and soaking baths for two to three weeks. Don't pick or scratch as it flakes and itches — that can pull out ink and cause patchy healing.
Long-term care
Once healed, sunscreen is the single best thing you can do to keep a tattoo sharp and vibrant over time.