Tattoo Aftercare 101: Five Easy Steps to Keep Your Ink Looking Fresh

A fresh tattoo is technically an open wound, and the way you treat it over the next two weeks decides how it looks for the next two decades. Follow the same routine our artists use on their own skin and your new piece will heal smoothly, hold color and resist infection.

1. Leave the wrap on for the first few hours

Your artist covered the tattoo to keep airborne bacteria out. Wait at least three hours—overnight if you received a medical-grade adhesive bandage—before removing it.

2. Wash gently with fragrance-free soap

Rinse with lukewarm water and a mild, scent-free cleanser. Skip washcloths or loofahs; your fingertips are plenty. Pat dry with a clean paper towel.

3. Apply a thin layer of ointment

Use Aquaphor or a specialty tattoo balm for the first three to four days, then switch to an unscented lotion. Too much product suffocates the skin, so think “sheen, not shine.”

4. Keep it clean and let it breathe

Wash the tattoo two to three times a day, re-moisturizing after each rinse. Avoid tight clothing that might rub or trap sweat. Never re-bandage unless your artist specifically instructs you to.

5. Protect from sun and soaking

Stay out of pools, hot tubs and the ocean for two weeks. When you do head outside, cover the tattoo or use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ once peeling has stopped; UV rays are ink’s worst enemy.