• Gently wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free antibacterlal soap 1-2 times a day.

• Pat dry with a clean paper towel or air-dry.

• Apply a very thin layer of fragrance-free, tattoo-safe ointment or lotion.

• Do not leave plastic wrap or Saran Wrap on for long periods— only use as a short-term covering immediately after the tattoo.

• Leave the bandage on for 3-7 days unless it becomes loose or leaks.

• Sweating from exercise or heat can release salts and bacteria from your body, and if trapped under the bandage, this can increase the risk of irritation or infection.

• To remove: take a warm shower to loosen adhesive, then peel slowly with water running under the edges.

• After removal, wash gently, pat dry, and apply a thin layer of unscented lotion 3-5 times a day.

• Aftercare for second-skin bandages is essentially the same as caring for a tattoo without an adhesive bandage once it is removed, — Wash gently, pat dry, and moisturize lightly.

Choose products with no alcohol, fragrance, dyes, or essential oils.

Recommended options include:

• ‍‍CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

• ‍‍Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion

• ‍‍Aquaphor Healing Ointment (very thin layer, first 1-3 days)

• A&D; Original Ointment (fragrance-free)

• Unscented shea or coco butter

Use petroleum-based products with caution. They can trap bacteria - especially if applied with unwashed hands or taken from shared tubs.

If you choose to go with a petroleum-based product, use extremely thin layers and choose squeeze tubes over open tubs.

• Avoid tight clothing or heavy exercise on the area.

• Avoid sun exposure and avoid soaking in chlorinated pools, salt water, or any standing water. Avoid soaking in general.

• Always wash your hands before touching the tattoo.

• Keep pets and pet hair away from the tattoo

• Smoking or heavy drinking can slow healing.

• Light exercise is usually fine, but avoid heavy sweating, friction, and dirty equipment for the first 1–2 weeks.

• No swimming or soaking until fully healed.

Healing occurs in stages:

• Surface healing: 2–3 weeks

• Internal healing: 4–6 weeks

A cloudy or dull appearance during healing is normal.

Which products should I avoid?

Avoid anything containing:

• fragrance

• alcohol

• essential oils

• retinol

• AHAs/BHAs

• exfoliants

• heavy oils or thick butters

Use gentle, fragrance-free products only.

Is peeling or itching normal?

Yes — this is expected. Avoid picking or scratching.

Why did my tattoo heal patchy?

Common causes include friction from clothing, scratching, sun exposure, or normal variations in healing. A touch-up can usually correct these areas.

Yes — fine line tattoos typically fade faster because they use less ink and finer detail.

Seek medical attention immediately if you notice spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, or anything unusual.

Light scabbing is common. Do not pick at it.

It happens — simply avoid repeating it and continue proper aftercare.