01/09/2026
TATTOO AFTERCARE (all what you want to know)
How to look after your new tattoo:
A fresh tattoo is damaged skin, so it needs time and gentle care to heal properly.
Good aftercare helps your skin heal, reduces the risk of infection and helps your tattoo look its best.
The most important things are:
KEEP IT CLEAN • BE GENTLE • KEEP IT LIGHTLY MOISTURISED • PROTECT IT
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1. YOUR BANDAGE
The type of bandage you have and how long you should keep it on depends on the type of dressing used.
If you have a second-skin style bandage:
Keep it on for the time recommended by your tattoo artist.
It can usually stay on for several days if it is comfortable, well sealed and not causing irritation.
If the bandage starts to come away, leaks, becomes damaged or your skin becomes irritated underneath it, remove it or replace it as advised by your tattoo artist.
Never re-apply a used bandage.
If you have a regular bandage:
Follow the instructions given to you by your tattoo artist.
Once you remove the bandage, start your normal aftercare routine.
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2. WASHING YOUR TATTOO
Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
When you are ready to clean it:
1. Gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water.
2. Use a small amount of a mild, preferably fragrance-free soap or cleanser.
3. Do not scrub the tattoo.
4. Do not use a sponge, flannel or exfoliating product.
5. Rinse thoroughly.
6. Gently pat it dry with a clean paper towel or allow it to air dry.
Do not rub the tattoo dry.
A normal shower is fine.
The important thing is to avoid soaking the tattoo for a long time.
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3. MOISTURISING
Once your tattoo is clean and dry, apply a very thin layer of a suitable moisturiser or tattoo aftercare product.
You do not need a thick layer.
Your tattoo should not be covered in a heavy, greasy layer of cream.
The aim is to keep the skin comfortable and lightly moisturised, not wet.
If your skin feels dry or tight, you can apply a small amount of moisturiser again.
A simple, fragrance-free moisturiser or a product made specifically for tattoo aftercare can be used.
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4. WHAT SHOULD YOU NOT PUT ON YOUR TATTOO?
You do not normally need strong antiseptics or antibiotic creams on a tattoo that is healing normally.
Do not use the following unless advised by a medical professional:
* alcohol
* hydrogen peroxide
* strong antiseptic products
* antibiotic creams
* exfoliating products
* heavily fragranced products
If you think your tattoo may be infected, do not try to treat the infection yourself. Contact your GP or another healthcare professional.
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5. WHAT IS NORMAL DURING HEALING?
During the first few days, your tattoo may be:
* slightly red
* slightly swollen
* warm
* tender or sore
* slightly wet or weeping
* itchy
You may also see a small amount of clear fluid or plasma.
As your tattoo heals, your skin may:
itch → peel → form small scabs → shed the dead skin.
This can all be part of the normal healing process.
Mild redness and swelling should gradually improve rather than become worse.
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6. DO NOT SCRATCH OR PICK
Your tattoo will probably become itchy while it heals.
This is normal.
DO NOT SCRATCH IT.
DO NOT PICK THE SKIN.
DO NOT PULL OFF SCABS OR FLAKES.
Let the skin come away naturally.
Picking or scratching can damage the healing skin and may affect the final appearance of your tattoo.
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7. BATHS, SWIMMING AND SAUNA
Until your tattoo is completely healed:
✔️ SHOWER
A normal, quick shower is fine.
❌ AVOID
* swimming pools
* hot tubs
* jacuzzis
* baths
* the sea
* lakes
* saunas
* spas
A fresh tattoo is a healing wound.
Long periods in water can expose it to bacteria, chemicals and irritation and can interfere with healing.
Wait until the tattoo is fully healed before swimming or using a sauna.
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8. CLOTHING AND FRICTION
During the first few days, wear:
* clean clothes
* loose-fitting clothes
* soft fabrics
Avoid anything that constantly rubs, presses against or irritates your tattoo.
Make sure anything touching the tattoo is clean.
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9. EXERCISE
There is no single number of days that is right for every tattoo.
It depends on the size, location and how your skin is healing.
For the first few days, avoid activities that cause:
* heavy sweating
* friction against the tattoo
* stretching of the tattooed skin
* contact with dirty equipment
* close skin-to-skin contact with other people
If exercising makes your tattoo very sweaty or causes rubbing, give it a break until the skin has settled.
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10. SUN EXPOSURE
Keep a fresh tattoo out of direct sunlight while it is healing.
When possible, protect it with clothing and stay in the shade.
Do not put sunscreen on a fresh, unhealed tattoo.
Once your tattoo is completely healed, protect it from the sun with a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher.
Apply sunscreen before going outside and reapply regularly when you are outdoors.
UV light can fade tattoo pigments over time.
Sunlight can also cause a reaction in some tattoos.
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11. REACTION TO A FULLY HEALED TATTOO
A tattoo can develop a reaction weeks, months or even years after it was done.
This can happen even if the tattoo healed perfectly and you have never had a problem with it before. Dermatologists have reported allergic reactions appearing many years after a tattoo was completed. (AAD)
A reaction can cause:
* itching
* redness
* swelling
* raised or bumpy skin
* dry or scaly skin
* small bumps
* lumps
* crusting or flaking
Sometimes the reaction affects only one colour of the tattoo. Red pigment is frequently involved, but reactions can occur with other colours too.
SUNLIGHT CAN TRIGGER A REACTION
In some people, sunlight can trigger or worsen a reaction in an old, fully healed tattoo.
You may notice:
* itching after being in the sun
* swelling of the tattoo
* redness
* small itchy bumps
* hives or blisters
* burning or pain
These symptoms may appear shortly after sun exposure or later.
This is sometimes called a photo-induced reaction. It can be caused by UV light interacting with tattoo pigments. In some cases, UV light may change the pigment or cause the release of substances that trigger an immune reaction.
This is one reason why protecting your tattoos from UV light is important, even after they have completely healed.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
If your fully healed tattoo becomes itchy or swollen, especially after being in the sun, protect the area from further sunlight.
Cover the tattoo with clothing and stay in the shade.
Once the tattoo is fully healed, use SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin.
An antihistamine (allergy tablet) may help reduce itching when histamine is involved, but it does not remove the tattoo pigment and it does not necessarily treat the underlying cause of a tattoo reaction.
If you are considering taking an antihistamine, speak to a pharmacist and follow the instructions on the medicine.
If the reaction lasts longer than 1–2 weeks, keeps coming back, or becomes worse, contact your GP or ask to see a dermatologist.
Do not assume that every itchy or swollen tattoo is an allergy.
Other causes are possible, including infection, inflammation or another skin condition.
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12. HOW LONG DOES A TATTOO TAKE TO HEAL?
Most tattoos look superficially healed after around 2–3 weeks, but everyone heals differently.
The deeper layers of the skin can take longer to fully recover.
Healing time can depend on:
* the size of the tattoo
* its location
* how much work has been done
* your individual skin
* how well you look after it
During healing, your tattoo may temporarily look:
* lighter
* duller
* cloudy or milky
* less sharp than it looked immediately after the session
This does not necessarily mean there is a problem.
Give your skin time to heal before judging the final result.
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13. WHEN SHOULD YOU GET MEDICAL ADVICE?
Some redness, swelling, soreness, clear fluid, itching and peeling can be normal during healing.
However, the symptoms should gradually improve.
Contact your GP or another healthcare professional if you notice:
* redness that is spreading or becoming darker
* increasing pain
* increasing swelling
* pus
* a bad smell
* a fever
* chills or shivering
* red lines spreading away from the tattoo
* open or very painful sores
* flu-like symptoms
These can be signs of an infection and should be checked by a healthcare professional.
If your tattoo becomes increasingly painful, hot, very red or swollen, or you develop a fever, seek medical advice.
If you develop difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, dizziness, widespread hives or another serious allergic reaction, seek emergency medical help.
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❤️ THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
WASH IT GENTLY.
DO NOT SCRATCH IT.
DO NOT PICK THE SKIN.
USE A THIN LAYER OF MOISTURISER.
DO NOT SOAK IT.
KEEP IT OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT WHILE IT HEALS.
PROTECT YOUR HEALED TATTOO FROM UV LIGHT.
LET YOUR SKIN HEAL AT ITS OWN PACE.
You do not need a complicated routine.
In most cases, gentle cleaning, light moisturising and leaving the skin alone are all you need.
If you are unsure whether your tattoo is healing normally, please contact your tattoo artist.
If you think you have an infection or a strong skin reaction, contact your GP or another healthcare professional.
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FURTHER INFORMATION
The information above is based on guidance and published medical research from recognised dermatology and UK health sources.
European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV)
Tattoo Aftercare – patient information:
EADV – Tattoo Aftercare
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
Caring for tattooed skin:
AAD – Caring for Tattooed Skin
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
Tattoo skin reactions:
AAD – Tattoo Skin Reactions
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
Tattooing and body piercing – infection prevention and control:
UKHSA – Tattooing and Body Piercing Guidance
Scientific review – Cutaneous Adverse Reactions Associated with Tattoos and Permanent Makeup Pigments
A review of allergic, inflammatory and photo-induced reactions to tattoo pigments:
Medical review – Tattoo Pigment Reactions
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