Aftercare guide
You sat for it — now protect it. Follow these steps and your piece heals clean, sharp, and exactly as drawn. When in doubt, message the studio before you improvise.
The first five days do the work
Your tattoo is finished under a second-skin film (Saniderm / Dermalize) — a breathable, waterproof layer that shields the open skin through the hardest part of healing. Leave it on and let it work. The surface heals in about two weeks; the deeper layers keep settling for up to two months.
How to heal it
- 01
Leave the second-skin on (days 1–5)
Amed seals your tattoo under a second-skin film. Leave it in place for three to five days. Fluid — plasma, a little blood, and excess ink — will pool under it and look cloudy. That is normal and exactly what should happen. Do not peek or re-stick it.
- 02
Remove it in the shower
When it is time, remove the film under warm running water. Find an edge and peel it back slowly, low and against itself — not straight up. Warm water loosens the adhesive; never rip it off dry.
- 03
Wash it gently
With clean hands, wash the tattoo using lukewarm water and a fragrance-free, antibacterial soap. Fingertips only — no washcloth, no scrubbing. Rinse until there is no slick film left, then pat dry with a clean paper towel. Never rub.
- 04
Moisturize thin (Aquaphor / A&D)
Apply a very thin layer of Aquaphor or A&D — thin enough that the skin can still breathe. Too much ointment suffocates the tattoo and traps bacteria. Wash and re-apply two to three times a day.
- 05
Switch to fragrance-free lotion
After a few days the tattoo flakes and peels like a sunburn — that is the skin renewing. Switch from ointment to a plain, fragrance-free lotion (Lubriderm or Cetaphil) and keep it lightly moisturized through the itch.
- 06
Protect it for life
Once fully healed, sunscreen is the single best thing for keeping it sharp. Apply SPF 30+ any time the tattoo sees sun — UV is what fades and blurs ink over the years.
Do
- Wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
- Keep it clean and lightly moisturized.
- Wear loose, breathable clothing over it.
- Sleep on clean sheets and let it air out.
- Drink water and eat well — your skin heals faster.
Don’t
- Don’t pick, scratch, or peel scabs or flakes — it pulls the ink out.
- No sun or tanning beds on the fresh tattoo.
- No pools, ocean, hot tubs, or baths for two to three weeks — showers only.
- No scented soaps, lotions, or alcohol on the area.
- Don’t over-apply ointment or re-wrap it in plastic.
Book your next piece
When your tattoo has fully settled, send your next idea — custom, drawn for the body it lives on.
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