Getting a new tattoo means breaking the skin, which increases the risk of infection. It’s crucial to treat your tattoo like a wound initially to minimize this risk.
How to minimize infection risk and take care of your tattoo
- Avoid touching, scratching, or picking at your new tattoo to prevent introducing infection.
- Wash and dry your hands before and after handling your tattoo.
- Your new tattoo will have tiny skin breaks from the needles, so keep it covered with a sterile dressing provided by your practitioner for at least an hour after getting it done. Remove the dressing within 5 hours when you get home.
- After removing the dressing, gently wash the tattoo site with warm water and pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Avoid rubbing to prevent irritation.
- Shower instead of bathing to minimize water exposure to the tattoo.
- Use only recommended tattoo aftercare cream 2-3 times a day to help healing and prevent skin cracking. Avoid petroleum-based creams as they may affect the tattoo’s color.
- After about two weeks, any scabbing should be gone, and the area should be completely healed in another 10-14 days.
- Avoid swimming, gym activities, sunbathing, and direct sunlight until your tattoo is fully healed to prevent skin irritation.
- Wear loose, cotton clothing to minimize rubbing and irritation on the tattoo.
- Keep your tattoo covered and protected if you work in a dirty or oily environment.
- Contact us immediately if you have any problems or queries, or if you notice signs of adverse reactions or infection. They will refer you to a GP if necessary.
FAQs
How long is the healing process?
Generally a tattoo will take 7-10 days to heal. But, some people heal as quickly as 3-4 days and some take up to 3 weeks. The healing process is not always a pretty one, the tattoo will go through a ‘flakey’ stage and you may get a few scabs on it.
What I can’t do after getting a tattoo?
Never pick, scratch, or peel your tattoo. You could get an infection or remove the colour. If you think your tattoo is infected or isn’t healing properly, see your doctor. Avoid swimming and the sun for about 2 weeks.
Is it OK to wear clothes over a new tattoo?
Yes, but try not to or wear loose clothes after the few initial days after application. Make sure you change your clothes frequently. Tattoos can weep onto the clothes and if you don’t change them, it can cause infection.
Can I have a bath when my tattoo is healing? How much aftercare cream should I use?
Completely soaking the tattoo in a bath can cause the scabs to become saturated with water and roll off before they are healed pulling the ink out with them. The same thing can happen if they are saturated with ointment or moisturizer so only put enough on so the area doesn’t crack with movement. Using too much balm, cream or ointment can clog pores and cause a break out on or around the tattoo.
Can I go swimming while my tattoo is healing?
No. Open water such as oceans, streams, lakes, and rivers are full of bacteria so avoid these completely. Exposing the tattoo to bacteria in open water could cause infections.
Chlorinated water is also bad for tattoos. Chlorine is a chemical and can irritate the healing tattoo. Irritation can cause it to heal much slower and often cause damage to the appearance of the tattoo.