How to care for a tattoo after the session

At the end of the session the artist will treat the tattoo and cover it with a protective film or a dressing. Ask what exactly was applied, how long it should stay on and when to remove it: all further care depends on this.

• —do not remove the film or dressing before the time your artist gave you;
• —do not touch the tattoo with unwashed hands;
• —wear loose clothes so the fabric does not rub the skin;
• —if anything is unclear, write to your artist instead of looking for advice on forums.

During the first day the skin is irritated: redness, slight swelling and plasma discharge are possible. This is a normal reaction to the procedure. Do not scratch or scrub the tattoo, and do not apply anything your artist did not name.

The tattoo is usually washed gently with warm water and a mild fragrance-free product, patted dry with a clean towel or tissue, and left to air-dry. Then a thin layer of the product your artist recommended is applied. Always wash and moisturise with clean hands.

A thin layer matters: extra ointment does not speed up healing, it stops the skin from breathing.

This is when dryness, itching and peeling usually appear: the skin is renewing itself. Keep moisturising the tattoo gently and do not pick the scabs and flakes, otherwise pigment can come off with them and marks can stay on the skin.

Surface healing usually takes about two to three weeks, but the skin underneath recovers for longer, sometimes up to several months. Timing is individual and depends on the area, the size of the work and your body. Once healed, the design looks crisper than in the first weeks, when the skin is peeling.

While the skin is healing it is better to skip heavy workouts, especially if the tattoo is on a bend, a joint or a spot that rubs. Sweat, friction from clothes and stretching of the skin get in the way of healing. It is best to agree with your artist when you can go back to training.

Until the tattoo has healed, avoid saunas, steam rooms, pools, the sea and long hot baths: heat, chlorinated and sea water irritate the skin. In the shower, brief contact with warm water is enough.

A fresh tattoo must not be kept in direct sun or in a tanning bed. Once the skin has healed, protect the tattoo from ultraviolet light with SPF cream: in the sun a design fades and loses contrast.

Itching and peeling are a natural part of healing: the skin recovers and renews its top layer. Do not scratch the tattoo. If you want to scratch, you can lightly pat the skin over your clothes.

No: scabs and flakes should come off on their own. If you tear them off early, you can damage the design. Dryness and tightness are eased by moisturising with the product your artist recommended.

The protective film works like a second skin: it shields a fresh tattoo from dirt and friction. How long to wear it, and how to change and remove it, is decided by your artist: it depends on the technique and on how the film sits on your skin. If the film has come off, leaked or feels uncomfortable, contact your artist.

If redness, pain or swelling grow over time, the skin feels hot, there is pus, an unpleasant smell or a raised temperature, see a doctor. Such symptoms should not be ignored or treated on your own. Let your artist know: they will advise what to do next.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If in doubt, follow your artist’s instructions and a doctor’s advice.