Tattoo aftercare

The first hours and days

Your artist will cover the tattoo at the end of the session and explain how long to leave the cover on. Follow that guidance exactly, because it depends on the method used.

When it is time to wash, use clean hands and lukewarm water with a mild, unscented soap. Rinse gently, pat dry with a clean paper towel or a clean cloth and let the skin breathe. Do not scrub.

In the first days the area may look red, feel warm and tender, and weep a little clear fluid. That is a common part of healing. Wear loose, clean clothing that does not rub, and keep the area away from pets, dirt and shared towels.

The following weeks

Soon the skin often starts to dry, flake and itch. Do not pick or scratch. Let flakes come off on their own, and apply a thin layer of the moisturiser your artist recommends, rather than a thick one.

Avoid soaking the tattoo in the sea, a pool, a bath or a hot tub, and keep it out of direct sun until it has healed. That usually takes around two to four weeks, depending on the person and the tattoo. Once healed, use sun protection on it, since sun is one of the main reasons tattoos fade.

• —Wash gently, pat dry and moisturise lightly
• —Wear loose clothing over the area
• —Do not pick, scratch or peel
• —Avoid sea, pool, bath and direct sun
• —Skip heavy exercise that stretches or sweats the area if your artist advises it
• —Use sun protection after it has healed

What is normal, and when should you see a doctor?

Mild redness, tenderness, light swelling, itching and peeling are common. Your tattoo may also look slightly dull or cloudy for a while as the top layer of skin heals.

If you notice spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus or fever, contact a doctor. Do the same if you are worried for any other reason, for example if you have a health condition that affects healing. We can answer general questions about aftercare, but we cannot diagnose.