A fresh tattoo is an open wound. Looking after it is simple: keep it clean, protected and moisturised while it heals. This is the routine we give people at Ink’side, with the questions we hear most. The full version, with a schedule for your phone calendar, is in our aftercare guide.
At a glance
| When | What |
|---|---|
| First days | Second skin film or Derma-X gel protects the tattoo |
| Next morning | Small tattoo: the film comes off. Bigger: we tell you when |
| 6–7 days | Derma-X comes off by itself |
| Every day | Wash once a day, thin layer of cream 2–3 times a day once uncovered |
| At least 1 week | No gym |
| 1 month | No beach, sunbathing or swimming |
The first days
We cover the tattoo with either a second skin film (Kosmos The Repairing Film) or Derma-X gel. What you do next depends on which one you have.
- Second skin film. It protects the tattoo. For a small tattoo, take it off the next morning. For anything bigger we tell you the right moment, because it depends on the tattoo and its details. Once it is off, wash the tattoo with neutral soap and water, let it dry, then apply a thin layer of cream.
- Derma-X. It is a gel that dries into a protective film. It stays on for 6–7 days and comes off by itself, a little more with every shower. You don’t need to remove anything. Shower as usual.
More on the two in second skin or Derma-X: how long to keep it on.
Every day
Wash. Wash the tattoo once a day with ordinary neutral soap. If you sweat a lot or your work is physical, wash it more often.
Moisturise. Once the tattoo is uncovered, apply cream 2–3 times a day, more if your skin is dry. Use only a thin layer: too much cream can dull the colour of the pigment. We sell ALOE PRO V at the studio. If you prefer to buy elsewhere, Aquaphor from a cosmetics shop works too. See what cream to use on a new tattoo.
The first week and the first month
For at least a week, skip the gym. Sweat makes itching and burning worse. For a month, stay away from the beach, sunbathing and swimming. If you are on holiday, read how long after a tattoo can you swim and tattoos and the sun.
| How long | What |
|---|---|
| 1 month | The beach, sunbathing and swimming |
| At least 1 week | The gym |
| Always | Antiseptic, alcohol or cologne on the tattoo |
Antiseptic, alcohol and cologne burn the skin and can lead to infection.
Normal while it heals
Redness and itching are normal, and so are peeling at some stages, clear or blood-tinged fluid and extra ink coming out. If you are worried about how it looks, message us before you try anything yourself, and we will talk it through.
When to message us and when to see a doctor
Message us if:
- the tattoo heals slowly and still has no firm scab after a long time
- the skin around it feels hot to the touch
- the redness spreads more than 3–4 cm around the tattoo
If you have pus, strong itching or pain, see a doctor. To tell what is normal from what is not, read infected tattoo or normal healing.
Questions people ask
How long does a tattoo take to heal?
It depends on the tattoo and on your skin. Derma-X comes off by itself in 6–7 days, and for the first month there is no beach, sun or swimming. If yours heals slowly and still has no firm scab after a long time, message us.
Can I use Bepanthen or another cream?
Our aftercare uses ALOE PRO V, with Aquaphor as an alternative from a cosmetics shop. If you prefer another cream, ask us before you start. Always a thin layer.
When can I go back to the gym?
At least a week later. Sweat makes itching and burning worse.
Can I shower?
Yes. With the film, wash the tattoo as described above. With Derma-X, showering helps the gel come off by itself.
Can I fly after getting a tattoo?
After a small tattoo you can fly the same day, straight after the session. After a big one, leave at least 24 hours before the flight. Keep the film on until we tell you it can come off. With Derma-X there is nothing to remove.
Is aftercare different on holiday?
No. Same washing, same cream, same month without the beach. For the sun and heat, see tattoo aftercare in hot weather, and for the timing of a holiday tattoo, the tattoo on holiday guide.