First day: caring for your new tattoo

  • If applicable, remove the wrap after 1 hour and let your tattoo air dry for the rest of the day.
  • In the evening, wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap such as Neutral or Sanex. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your fresh tattoo. Then gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel and apply a thin layer of Bepanthen baby ointment for skin hydration. It's essential to apply a thin layer to allow sufficient oxygen for the healing process.
  • If applicable, re-wrap the tattoo in household plastic wrap and remove it the following morning.

What to expect:

In the first few days after getting your tattoo, it may still be sensitive and can be accompanied by swelling and redness, but these usually subside within three days. There may also be some wound fluid and ink coming from the tattoo, especially during washing.

First weeks: maintenance and precautions

  • During the first weeks, wash, pat, and apply ointment to the tattoo as described earlier, twice a day (for example, in the morning and evening).
  • Be cautious with your new tattoo and avoid the following until it's fully healed:
    • Exposure to sunlight
    • Swimming in pools, the sea, lakes, rivers, etc.
    • Cuddling with pets due to hair and infection risk
    • Saunas, Turkish baths, etc.
    • Tanning beds
    • Intensive exercise
    • Touching with unwashed hands
    • Letting others touch it
    • Following advice from friends regarding aftercare. Always consult your artist for questions.
    • Using skincare products like makeup or body lotion on the tattooed area.
  • After 3 to 5 days, you can stop caring for it twice a day. Your tattoo is no longer an 'open wound,' and the risk of infection has significantly decreased. While you can stop washing it, continue applying ointment, but do so as needed. Remember that the goal is to hydrate the skin, not suffocate it.

What to expect:

You'll notice your tattoo becoming drier and forming scabs. It may also become itchy, which is a normal part of the healing process. The scabs will naturally fall off, and when this happens, you can assume that the top layer of the skin has 'healed.' This typically occurs within 4 to 5 weeks.

Healing of the tattoo: long-term care

  • Taking care of your tattoo doesn't stop after it's healed. To maintain the color and quality of your tattoo, regularly moisturize the skin and use sunscreen to protect it from the sun.
  • If your tattoo needs touch-ups, you can recognize this by faded lines or other effects. This is more common with fine line tattoos. Despite following good aftercare instructions, it can happen that something doesn't heal optimally. In such cases, discuss the next steps with your tattoo artist.

What to expect:

A healed tattoo is part of your skin and undergoes the aging process. This means that details may appear less sharp over time, and colors can change. How well you care for your skin influences how your tattoo ages.