Give the client instructions they can consult at home, and explain how to contact the studio if they are unsure about healing. Torbay Council’s aftercare guidance describes hygiene measures and signs that need prompt medical attention. Check guidance for the place where you work.
The sheet
Looking after your new tattoo
Your tattoo is a wound: it heals over a few weeks. These steps help it heal well and keep its colours.
The first hours
- Keep the film or dressing on for as long as your artist told you.
- Wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
Every day, until it has healed
- Wash it gently with clean water and a mild, unscented soap.
- Pat it dry with clean kitchen paper; do not rub.
- Apply a thin layer of the aftercare product your artist recommends.
- Wear loose, clean clothes over the area.
Avoid
- Scratching, picking scabs or peeling skin.
- Baths, swimming pools, the sea, saunas and steam rooms.
- Sun and sunbeds; once healed, sunscreen keeps the colours.
See a doctor if
- Redness, heat or swelling grows after a few days, or spreads beyond the tattoo.
- You notice pus, a fever, or pain that gets worse.
Any questions? Contact your studio. If you feel unwell or think it is infected, see a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a tattoo take to heal?
A few weeks on the surface, longer underneath, depending on the placement, the size and the person. Aftercare stops when the skin no longer peels and is no longer tender.
Is some redness normal?
Some redness and tenderness in the first days is expected. Redness that grows or spreads, heat, pus or a fever are reasons to see a doctor.
