Tattoo After Care
DAYS 1–5
- Do not remove the second skin bandage applied to your tattoo for 5 days.
- While the second skin bandage is in place, no additional aftercare is required.
- Tattoo aftercare should begin after the bandage is removed on day 5.
Large tattoos are cared for using a medical pad method.
If your tattoo was covered with a pad instead of second skin, please continue your aftercare by following the instructions on this page.
Click here to proceed to pad aftercare instructions.
What is a Second Skin Bandage?
A second skin bandage is a flexible, waterproof yet breathable material that creates an optimal healing environment for the tattoo and protects it from external factors during the healing process.
Do not shower during the first 24 hours, and avoid movements that excessively stretch the tattooed area.
While using the second skin bandage, no extra cleaning or care is required.
Avoid keeping the tattoo under intense water (sea, pool) and avoid long showers.
Short showers are allowed, but water should not be hot.
The tattooed area must be protected; sponges, loofahs, or similar products must not touch the area.
Otherwise, the second skin bandage may lose its effectiveness.
After each shower, check whether the second skin bandage is still functioning properly.
The tattoo may appear blurry or cloudy due to ink, blood, and plasma accumulating under the bandage. This is completely normal. It will be cleaned once the bandage is removed.
Avoid sports and excessive sweating.
When should you remove the tattoo care bandage before the 5th day?
- If the fluid accumulated under the tattoo area starts leaking
- If the tattoo care bandage lifts enough to expose the tattoo (it is not an issue if only the edges lift without reaching the tattooed area)
- If excessive fluid builds up under the tattoo area (when it forms a balloon-like appearance)
- In any of these cases, remove the tattoo care bandage immediately, regardless of which day it is.
What should be done if the tattoo care bandage is removed early?
If the tattoo care bandage (second skin) is removed early, start the aftercare process immediately.
Do not shower for the first 3 days.
For the first 5 days, clean the tattoo only with drinking water.
The first 5 days are when the tattoo is most vulnerable to infection, so pay extra attention to hygiene.
When showering, strictly protect the tattoo area from tap water (a thick layer of petroleum jelly can be applied to create a barrier, or the area can be wrapped and sealed with plastic wrap to prevent water contact).
Keep showers short.
Shower with lukewarm water only.
Do not use a loofah or scrub under any circumstances.
Make sure that any fabric coming into contact with the tattoo area is clean.
Do not wrap or cover the tattoo with anything that prevents it from breathing.
If your tattoo aftercare started with a medical pad (used for larger tattoos) instead of second skin (used for smaller tattoos), you may follow the aftercare process from this page onward.
Day 5
Today, remove the tattoo care bandage (second skin).
How to remove the tattoo care bandage (second skin)
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Using lukewarm drinking water, gently lift the bandage from one edge and slowly peel it off.
Removing it suddenly may damage the tattoo.
Feeling slight discomfort while removing the bandage is normal.
After removal, gently clean the tattoo using antibacterial liquid soap and lukewarm water (such as Activex, Protex, etc.), rubbing softly.
Dry the area with a disposable paper towel using gentle patting motions.
Apply the recommended tattoo aftercare cream in a thin layer to moisturize.
DO NOT USE PETROLEUM JELLY. Any petroleum-based products will damage your tattoo.
Days 5–15
Tattoo aftercare consists of two stages:
1. Tattoo Aftercare – Cleaning
Clean the tattoo 3 times a day using antibacterial liquid soap (such as Activex, Protex, etc.) and lukewarm water, gently rubbing the area.
Dry with a disposable paper towel using soft, patting motions.
If you work in an environment with heavy dust, mud, or similar contaminants, clean the tattoo more frequently.
Keeping the tattoo clean is extremely important. Tattooing is a procedure that creates an open wound on the skin, and like any wound, it is vulnerable to infection until fully healed.
Failing to keep the tattoo clean may result in infection.
2. Tattoo Aftercare – Moisturizing
Apply the recommended tattoo aftercare cream in thin layers, reapplying as it dries.
Do not allow the tattoo to become dry. Drying out the tattoo may cause fading, ink loss, and poor healing.
Continue this care routine until day 15. If there is still peeling or flaking on day 15, continue moisturizing until all flakes have fallen off and the skin becomes smooth.
Always wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
Avoid contact with water except for washing the tattoo (no sea, pool, etc.).
Some redness and itching are normal. Do not scratch the tattoo.
During healing, the tattoo will scab and peel—never pick or remove the scabs.
While scabs are shedding, the tattoo may appear patchy. Once all scabs have fallen off, the appearance will even out.
Protect the tattoo from sun exposure.
Do not exercise during the first 5 days.
Do not use a loofah or sponge in the shower until the tattoo is fully healed.
Avoid shaving, waxing on the tattooed area for at least 4 weeks.
Day 15+
The tattoo aftercare process is not limited to the healing period only. There are also steps you should follow to maintain the vibrancy of your tattoo for a lifetime.
Moisturize your tattoo occasionally.
Apply sunscreen before sun exposure.
Cover the tattooed area before using tanning beds.
These practices will extend the life of your tattoo and help it remain vibrant for many years.
Remember
70% of a tattoo’s final result depends on the tattoo application, and 30% depends on proper aftercare.
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