Tattoo Aftercare Guide

Taking care of your tattoo is essential for proper healing and maintaining the vibrancy of your ink.

1. First 24 Hours

Leave the bandage on for the time recommended by your artist, usually 2–4 hours.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo.
2. Gently remove the bandage and clean the tattoo with lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free soap.
3. Use only clean fingertips—do not use a washcloth, loofah, sponge, or exfoliating glove.
4. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub the tattoo.

2. Keep It Clean & Moisturized

1. Apply a thin layer of tattoo-friendly, fragrance-free, non-petroleum-based lotion or aftercare product.
2. Moisturize 2–3 times a day, but avoid over-moisturizing.
3. Keep your tattoo clean and dry, but do not let it become excessively dry or cracked.

3. Avoid These During Healing

• ✕ No soaking: Avoid swimming, baths, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans for at least 2–3 weeks.
• ✕ No scratching or peeling: Let scabs and peeling skin fall off naturally.
• ✕ No tight clothing: Wear loose, breathable clothing to help prevent friction and irritation.
• ✕ No direct sun exposure: Keep your fresh tattoo covered. Once healed, apply SPF 30+ sunscreen whenever it will be exposed to the sun.
• ✕ No harsh products: Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, scented lotions, petroleum-based products, and harsh soaps.
• ✕ Do not over-moisturize: Applying too much product can trap moisture and irritate the healing tattoo.

4. Healing Stages & What to Expect

• ✔ Days 1–3: Redness, tenderness, and slight swelling are normal.
• ✔ Days 4–7: The tattoo may feel dry, itchy, and begin peeling like a sunburn.
• ✔ Days 7–14: Light scabbing and peeling may continue. Do not pick at it.
• ✔ Days 14+: Most peeling is complete, and your tattoo begins to settle into the skin.

5. When to See a Doctor

Contact your artist if you have questions about healing. Seek medical care if you notice excessive or worsening redness, swelling, thick yellow or green discharge, fever, red streaks, or prolonged severe pain.

Body Piercing Aftercare Guide

Proper aftercare helps your new piercing heal properly and stay looking great.

1. Cleaning Your Piercing

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing.
2. Use a sterile saline solution or professional piercing aftercare spray 2–3 times daily.
3. Gently clean the area with clean gauze. Do not twist, rotate, or play with the jewelry.
4. Pat the area dry with a clean, disposable paper towel. Avoid cloth towels, which can hold bacteria and snag jewelry.
5. Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, ointments, scented products, or harsh soaps. If using an antimicrobial soap, use only a gentle product recommended by your piercer and rinse thoroughly.
6. For oral piercings: Use an alcohol-free, hydrogen peroxide-free antiseptic or antimicrobial mouth rinse as directed. Rinse gently after meals and before bed, but do not overuse mouthwash.

2. What to Avoid

• ✕ Do not touch, twist, or play with the jewelry except when necessary for cleaning.
• ✕ Do not swim or submerge the piercing in pools, hot tubs, lakes, oceans, or baths while it is healing.
• ✕ Do not sleep directly on the piercing when possible, especially with ear piercings.
• ✕ Do not remove jewelry too soon. A piercing can begin closing quickly, even if it appears healed on the outside.
• ✕ For oral piercings, avoid oral contact for at least one week. Avoid kissing, sharing drinks, cups, plates, or utensils, and other oral contact while the piercing is fresh.
• ✕ Avoid irritating foods and drinks for at least one week. This includes spicy foods, citrus juices and other acidic foods or drinks, alcohol, and very hot foods or beverages.
• ✕ Avoid smoking or vaping while healing if possible. It can increase irritation and prolong healing.

3. Healing Time & What to Expect

• ✔ Earlobes: 6–8 weeks
• ✔ Cartilage: 4–12 months
• ✔ Nostril: 4–6 months
• ✔ Septum: 6–8 weeks
• ✔ Eyebrow: 6–8 weeks
• ✔ Lip & Oral Piercings: 6–12 weeks
• ✔ Navel: 6–12 months
• ✔ Nipples: 6–12 months

Mild swelling, redness, tenderness, bruising, and clear or whitish discharge can be normal during early healing. Oral piercings commonly swell during the first few days.

4. Signs of Infection & When to Seek Help

Contact your piercer for guidance if you have concerns about healing. Seek medical care if you experience severe or worsening pain, excessive swelling, spreading redness, fever, or thick yellow or green discharge. Do not remove the jewelry on your own if you suspect an infection unless a qualified medical professional instructs you to do so.

5. Long-Term Care & Jewelry Changes

• ✔ Keep the area clean and dry, even after it appears healed.
• ✔ Wait until the piercing is fully healed before changing jewelry.
• ✔ Always use high-quality, body-safe jewelry, such as implant-grade titanium, solid gold appropriate for body jewelry, or surgical steel.
• ✔ For oral piercings, return to your piercer for a downsized post once swelling has gone down. This helps reduce irritation and protects your teeth and gums.