Your artist did their part. The next few weeks are yours. Follow this and your tattoo will heal clean and stay sharp.
Print this page for a copy to take home.
The first day
Leave the bandage on as long as your artist told you. If it's a clear adhesive film, it can stay on for a few days; if it's plastic wrap or a pad, take it off after a few hours.
Wash your hands first. Then wash the tattoo gently with mild, unscented soap and lukewarm water. Don't scrub. Don't soak.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Let it air out for a few minutes.
Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion or the ointment your artist recommends. Thin is enough. A thick layer traps moisture and slows healing.
The first two weeks
Wash and moisturize two or three times a day.
Keep it out of direct sun. Don't put sunscreen on it until it's fully healed.
No pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, or baths. Quick showers are fine.
Don't pick, scratch, or peel. Light flaking, peeling, and itching are normal.
Wear loose, clean clothing over it. Avoid anything that rubs.
Skip heavy workouts that stretch or sweat on the area for the first few days.
Sleep on clean sheets. If it sticks to the sheet, wet the sheet with lukewarm water and lift it off slowly.
After that
Expect two to four weeks for the surface to heal. It can look slightly dull or cloudy for a bit longer while the deeper layers settle.
Once it's healed, use sunscreen on it whenever it's exposed. Sun is what fades tattoos.
If a spot healed patchy or light, come in and let your artist look at it.
When to call
Some redness, swelling, and tenderness in the first couple of days is normal. Call the shop and see a doctor if you notice any of these:
Redness that spreads or gets worse after day three.
Heat, throbbing, or swelling that increases instead of decreases.