Good tattoos deserve good care.
Your new tattoo is here! Now it's time to take care of it. Follow this guide to help your skin heal comfortably and keep your tattoo looking its best.
Phase 01 | Second Skin
Days 1–5
Your tattoo is a fresh wound, and proper healing starts with protecting it.
Leave your second-skin bandage on for 3–5 days, as instructed by your artist and the bandage manufacturer.
Remove it sooner if it leaks, exposes the tattoo, causes significant irritation, or the seal becomes compromised. Some fluid beneath an intact bandage is normal.
How to remove it:
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Stand under warm running water.
Gently stretch and peel the bandage back slowly, keeping it close to your skin.
Never rip it off dry.
Once removed, gently wash your tattoo.
If you experience a rash, blistering, or a strong reaction to the adhesive, remove the bandage carefully and contact your artist or a healthcare professional.
Phase 02 | Recovery
Weeks 1–2
Once your second skin is removed, your tattoo needs gentle, consistent care.
Your daily routine:
Wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
Gently clean your tattoo twice daily using lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free soap.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Never scrub.
Apply a very thin layer of Eucerin Original Healing or another suitable fragrance-free moisturizer.
Keep the area clean, dry between washes, and protected from unnecessary friction.
Things to avoid:
● Swimming, baths, hot tubs, and soaking your tattoo.
● Heavy sweating or activities that cause excessive rubbing.
● Direct sunlight.
● Tight clothing that irritates the area.
● Scratching, picking, or peeling your tattoo.
Some itching, flaking, and light scabbing are normal parts of healing. Let everything fall off naturally.
Remember: Less is more when moisturizing. Your tattoo shouldn’t be covered in a thick layer of lotion.
Phase 03 | Settling
Your tattoo should now be entering the final stages of surface healing.
Continue gently cleaning the area once daily and applying a thin layer of Eucerin Original Healing as needed.
Keep up your routine until the skin feels smooth, is no longer flaking or scabbing, and has returned to its normal texture.
Even when your tattoo looks healed, deeper layers of skin may still be recovering. Healing times vary depending on your skin, tattoo placement, and the size of your piece.
Once fully healed, protect your tattoo with SPF 30+ sunscreen whenever it’s exposed to the sun.
A little care now goes a long way toward keeping your tattoo looking beautiful for years.
Quick reminders
Keep It Clean
Wash gently with clean hands and fragrance-free soap.
Avoid Sun
Keep fresh tattoos out of direct sunlight.
Don't Pick
Allow peeling and scabbing to happen naturally.
Don't Soak
Avoid pools, baths, and hot tubs until healed.
Questions about your healing?
Every tattoo heals a little differently. If you’re unsure whether something is normal, you’re always welcome to reach out and send me a photo.
A little redness, tenderness, itching, and peeling can be expected during healing. However, worsening pain, spreading redness, increasing warmth or swelling, pus, red streaks, or fever can indicate an infection.
If you notice these symptoms, seek medical care promptly rather than waiting for a response from me.