Tattoo Aftercare: How to Heal a New Tattoo, Week by Week

A new tattoo is a wound, so the first few weeks decide how it looks for years. The routine is simple: keep it clean, keep it lightly moisturized, and keep it out of water and sun until it heals. Your artist's instructions come first, because wraps and products vary. This guide explains the reasoning behind the standard steps, using dermatologist guidance.

What should you do in the first 24 hours?

Your artist will clean the tattoo, apply a thin layer of ointment, and cover it with a bandage, plastic wrap or a clear adhesive film. Leave it on for as long as they tell you. According to Cleveland Clinic dermatologists, a standard covering usually stays on for at least three hours, depending on the tattoo's size. Some adhesive films are made to stay on longer, so follow the timing your artist gives you for the product they used.

When it's time to take it off:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Soak the bandage with warm water to loosen it, then peel it off slowly.
3. Wash the tattoo gently (see below) and pat it dry with a clean paper towel.

Some clear fluid, ink and a little blood seeping out on the first day is normal. So is redness, warmth and soreness, a lot like a sunburn.

How do you clean a new tattoo?

Wash it about twice a day for the first couple of weeks:

• Use a mild, fragrance-free soap without perfumes or dyes. Older advice often named a specific antibacterial bar. What matters is that the soap is gentle and unscented.
• Use lukewarm water, not hot. Hot water irritates healing skin.
• Wash with clean fingertips only. No washcloths, loofahs or scrubbing.
• Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and leave lint in the wound.

Quick showers are fine. What you need to avoid is soaking: baths, hot tubs and swimming all wait until the tattoo has healed.

What should you put on a healing tattoo?

After washing, apply a thin layer of moisturizer so the skin doesn't crack. Cleveland Clinic suggests a simple moisturizer or a recommended ointment about twice a day. The American Academy of Dermatology advises a water-based lotion or cream for dry tattooed skin and notes that petroleum-based products such as petroleum jelly can cause ink to fade. Cleveland Clinic adds that petroleum jelly can block pores and trap bacteria.

In practice:

• Choose an unscented lotion or the aftercare product your artist recommends.
• Use just enough to make the skin look healthy, not shiny or greasy. Over-moisturizing keeps the skin soggy and slows healing.
• Don't put sunscreen on an unhealed tattoo. Cover it with loose clothing instead.

What should you avoid while a tattoo heals?

Seattle adds a few local hazards. A summer weekend on Lake Washington, Green Lake or Alki Beach is exactly what a fresh tattoo should skip. Backpack straps and rain shells on a hike can rub a back or shoulder piece raw. Plan a new tattoo around your calendar: a fall or winter appointment means fewer swim invitations and more long sleeves.

How long does a tattoo take to heal?

Healing time depends on the tattoo's size, its placement and your skin. Large pieces, and tattoos on hands and feet, take longer. Here's the typical arc, based on Cleveland Clinic's healing timeline:

Don't judge the final result in the first two weeks. A cloudy, milky look while the skin renews is normal. If areas still look patchy after the tattoo has fully healed, ask your artist about a touch-up. Many studios include one within a set window, as our price guide explains.

How do you know if a tattoo is infected?

Some redness, swelling, soreness and clear fluid are normal at first. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, an infection behaves differently. Watch for:

• Redness that darkens or spreads instead of fading
• Pain that continues or gets worse instead of easing
• Itchy, red, painful bumps in the tattoo
• Pus, open sores, a bad odor or significant drainage
• Fever, chills or shivering
• Red streaks running from the tattoo toward the center of your body

If you notice any of these, see a doctor or board-certified dermatologist promptly. The sooner treatment starts, the less damage to your health and your tattoo. Also tell your artist, and ask for the brand, color and lot number of the inks used. The FDA recommends this so the source of a reaction can be traced.

An allergic reaction is different from an infection. It usually shows up in one ink color, most often red, as itching, raised bumps or swelling, and it can appear right away or years later. If it lasts more than a week or two, see a dermatologist. If you have trouble breathing, a racing heart or hives, get emergency care.

If you suspect the infection came from unsanitary conditions or an unlicensed artist, you can report it to the Washington Department of Licensing. Our Washington tattoo laws guide explains how.

How do you care for a tattoo long-term?

Once the tattoo has healed, the main enemy is the sun. The AAD notes that UV light can fade some inks and recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, applied 15 minutes before going outside and reapplied at least every two hours. Seattle's clouds don't give you a pass. The AAD's sunscreen guidance notes that up to 80% of the sun's UV rays can get through clouds.

Other habits that keep ink looking sharp:

• Moisturize dry skin with a water-based, unscented lotion.
• Skip tanning beds. They fade ink and raise skin cancer risk.
• Watch for changes. A bump, rash or color change in an old tattoo is worth showing a dermatologist, because reactions can appear years later.
• Plan for touch-ups on fine-line and color work, which soften faster than bold black. See our style guides for how each style ages.

Getting your first tattoo? Read our first tattoo guide for what to expect before and during the appointment.