How to care for a new tattoo

The first 24–48 hours

You leave the studio with the tattoo protected. If you have film or a dressing, follow the timing we gave you: usually a few hours with classic film, or several days with a transparent second-skin dressing.

When you remove it, wash your hands thoroughly and wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and neutral soap, without scrubbing. Remove plasma and ink residue with your fingertips. Pat dry with clean kitchen paper, never with a bathroom towel.

Then a very thin layer of healing cream. Genuinely thin: the tattoo needs to breathe, and too much cream suffocates the skin and encourages breakouts.

Days 2 to 7

The routine: wash 2 or 3 times a day and apply cream after each wash. Some redness, warmth and swelling in the first days is normal, especially on soft areas or near joints.

It will start to peel and itch. This is the most uncomfortable phase and also the most important: do not scratch and do not pick anything off. When it itches, apply cream or tap gently with your palm.

Sleep in clean clothes and, if you can, on freshly changed sheets. Avoid tight clothing rubbing the area.

Weeks two to four

The surface has closed, but underneath the skin is still regenerating. It may look matte or slightly milky: that is normal and it passes.

Keep moisturising once or twice a day. You can space out the specific washes and go back to your normal hygiene routine.

From here you can resume exercise and normal life with common sense, but sun and standing water are still the enemy.

Forever

The single thing that ages a tattoo most is the sun. Once healed, use factor 50 whenever it will be exposed. This is not a minor cosmetic note: it is the difference between a crisp tattoo at ten years and a faded one.

Moisturising daily keeps blacks deeper and colours brighter.

Occasional touch-ups are normal, especially in high-friction areas like hands, feet or elbows. Message us and we will take a look.