Tattoo Aftercare: Dos, Don'ts and a Simple Routine

Tattoo aftercare means keeping a new tattoo clean, lightly moisturized and protected while the skin settles. Follow your artist's instructions, wash the tattoo gently with a mild, fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water, pat it dry and apply a thin layer of moisturizer. Keep it out of the sun and out of pools, baths and hot tubs, and let flakes fall off on their own. This guide covers every step, plus the dos and don'ts that keep your ink looking bold for years.

Tattoo aftercare dos and don'ts at a glance

Do

• Follow your artist's instructions first.
• Wash your hands before you touch the tattoo.
• Wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap.
• Pat it dry with a clean paper towel.
• Apply a thin layer of moisturizer once it is clean and dry.
• Wear loose, clean clothing over the area.
• Sleep on clean sheets.
• Drink water and keep your skin moisturized all year.
• Use sunscreen once your tattoo has fully settled, and follow the Drug Facts label.

Don't

• Pick, peel or scratch flakes and scabs.
• Soak the tattoo in a bath, pool, hot tub, lake or the ocean.
• Put a new tattoo in direct sun or a tanning bed.
• Put sunscreen on a fresh tattoo.
• Apply thick, heavy layers of any product.
• Use scented lotions, perfume or body sprays on the area.
• Wear tight clothing that rubs the tattoo.
• Shave over the tattoo.
• Let pets or dirty gym gear touch it.

Follow your artist first

Your artist knows your skin, the inks and the techniques they used. Their instructions come first, every time. If anything in this guide differs from what they told you, go with your artist.

Ask questions before you leave the studio. Find out when to remove the wrap, which products they suggest and when you can go back to the gym, the pool or the sun. Write the answers down, or take a photo of their aftercare sheet. Our printable tattoo aftercare instructions have a space for their notes.

Day 1: removing the wrap

Most artists cover a fresh tattoo before you leave. The cover keeps dirt and friction off the skin on the way home. When to take it off depends on the type:

• Plastic wrap or a paper bandage usually comes off within a few hours.
• Clear adhesive film can stay on for several days. Your artist will give you a time.

Wash your hands before you start. Peel the cover off slowly. If it sticks, wet it with lukewarm water in the shower and let it loosen. Don't rip it off. Some fluid, ink and a little blood under the wrap is common on the first day.

How to wash a new tattoo

Wash your new tattoo gently with clean hands. Many artists suggest two to three times a day in the first days, but follow the schedule your artist gave you.

• Use lukewarm water, not hot.
• Lather a small amount of mild soap in your hands first.
• Wash with your fingertips. Skip washcloths, sponges and loofahs.
• Rinse off all the soap.
• Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel. Don't rub.
• Let it air dry for a few minutes before you apply anything.

Keep showers short. Don't let a strong spray hit the tattoo for long, and don't soak it.

What soap to use for tattoo aftercare

A mild soap for tattoo aftercare is gentle, simple and free of added fragrance. Look for these traits:

• Liquid soap, so you use a fresh amount each time. A shared bar of soap can collect dirt.
• No added fragrance. Check the label for "fragrance" or "parfum."
• No dyes, glitter or exfoliating beads.
• No harsh scrubs or acne treatments, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

If your artist names a specific soap, use that one. If you have sensitive skin, test a new soap on a small patch of skin away from the tattoo first.

What to apply in the first weeks

Once the tattoo is clean and dry, apply a thin layer of the product your artist recommends. Thin is the key word. A thick layer can trap moisture against the skin and leave it feeling greasy.

In the Tsunami Balm routine, you start with Soothing Gel when your artist says it's time for aftercare. It's a lightweight aloe gel with panthenol and hyaluronic acid that cools the skin and calms the look of redness. Massage a thin layer in with clean fingertips until it absorbs.

Our Tattoo Balm is the daily step. It's made with shea butter, cocoa butter and calendula oil. Warm a small amount between your fingertips and massage it in until it absorbs. A little goes a long way.

Wondering about drugstore options? Read Aquaphor, CeraVe or Cetaphil on a tattoo. Not sure which product fits which stage? Our aftercare guide lays out the full routine, product by product.

Itching and peeling

Most tattoos start to flake and peel within the first week, much like a sunburn. Flakes may carry a little color. That's common.

Itching often comes with peeling. Don't scratch, and don't pick. Pulling flakes off early can leave light or patchy spots in the ink. When it itches, apply a thin layer of moisturizer, or press a clean, cool, damp cloth near the area for a moment. Read more in tattoo peeling: what's normal and what to do.

Sleeping with a new tattoo

• Use clean sheets and a clean pillowcase.
• Wear loose, clean clothing over the tattoo, or leave it uncovered if your artist says so.
• Try not to sleep directly on the tattoo for the first nights.
• If fabric sticks to the tattoo in the morning, wet it with lukewarm water to loosen it. Don't pull it off.

Training with a new tattoo

Ask your artist when you can train again. In the first days, skip workouts that cause heavy sweat or rub the area. When you go back, wear loose clothing over the tattoo, wipe down shared equipment before you use it and wash the tattoo gently after you finish.

Swimming and the sun

Keep a new tattoo out of baths, pools, hot tubs, lakes and the ocean until your artist says it has fully settled. Soaking can soften the skin and pull at flakes. See can you swim after getting a tattoo for the details.

Keep it out of direct sun too. Cover it with loose clothing or stay in the shade. Don't put sunscreen on a fresh tattoo. Once your tattoo has fully settled, use sunscreen outdoors and follow the Drug Facts label. Our sunscreen for tattoos guide explains when to start.

When to call your artist or a doctor

Some redness, swelling and tenderness is common in the first few days. So is mild oozing. These should ease a little each day.

See a doctor right away if you notice:

• Redness or swelling that spreads or gets worse after the first few days
• Skin that feels hot to the touch
• Pus, a bad smell or red streaks
• Fever or chills
• Pain that gets worse instead of better
• A rash, hives or raised, itchy bumps, which can signal an allergic reaction

Let your artist know too. They can tell you whether something looks normal for your tattoo. When in doubt, see a doctor.

Daily care for the long run

Once the peeling stops, the skin has closed and your artist says your tattoo has fully settled, switch to simple daily care.

• Moisturize every day, especially after a shower. Our Body Lotion is a light, non-greasy option, and the 16.9 oz pump suits sleeves and back pieces.
• Use sunscreen when your tattoo will see the sun. Our SPF 50 Sunscreen is an OTC drug, so follow the Drug Facts label for how to apply and reapply.
• Keep using Tattoo Balm on spots that dry out fast, like hands, elbows and knees.

These small habits help keep your tattoo looking its best for years.

FAQ

How long does tattoo aftercare take?

The surface often looks settled in about two to four weeks. Deeper layers of skin take longer, and large pieces take longer than small ones. Ask your artist what to expect for your tattoo.

How often should I wash a new tattoo?

Many artists suggest two to three times a day in the first days. Follow the schedule your artist gave you, and always wash gently with clean hands.

What is the best soap for tattoo aftercare?

Use the soap your artist recommends. If they don't name one, choose a mild liquid soap with no added fragrance, dyes or exfoliating beads.

Should I cover my tattoo at night?

Ask your artist. If they say to leave it uncovered, sleep on clean sheets and wear loose, clean clothing.

Can I use any lotion on a new tattoo?

Not every lotion is a good fit. Added fragrance can irritate fresh skin. Use what your artist recommends, in thin layers, and read our guide to fragrance-free lotion for tattoos.

When can I go in the sun?

Keep a new tattoo out of direct sun until it has fully settled. After that, use sunscreen outdoors and follow the Drug Facts label.

Ready to build your routine? Shop Tsunami Balm premium tattoo care.