Overview

The tattoo is an open wound and the healing timeline will vary in length for everybody. 

Generally speaking, it takes about 3 weeks for the outer layer of skin to “heal” whereas the layers below the tattoo, 6 months, to truly heal. 

Although the tattoo may look and feel healed, you should not slow down on aftercare.

Here’s what to do and expect. (not to be taken as gospel!)

Day 1  

Congrats on your fresh ink!

If you have gladwrap over your tattoo, keep it on for 1-2 hours and then remove. Wash with warm soapy water (the $2.80 Detol one from Coles is good) and pat dry with a piece of clean paper towel. 

If second skin / Saniderm was applied, leave on for 24 hours - 3 days and then remove by peeling it back over itself in the direction of the hair growth. Best do this in the shower under warm running water as dry removal may cause discomfort and added trauma to the skin. You can use a gentle soap to help loosen the adhesive and relax the skin. 

If the second skin is giving you a rash or irritation, remove it immediately as some people can have an allergic reaction to it.

This is the oozing stage. Expect to seep fresh ink, blood, plasma - All the things that are showing your cells are healing! Expect your tattoo to “marinate” in a gross pouch of all of this if using second skin.

If you find your tattoo is still seeping / bleeding ink after removing the gladwrap or second skin, you may apply gladwrap over the area while you go to sleep so you don’t get blood on your sheets. But do not re-apply it the next day.

Once all wrappings are off, apply a small amount of tattoo aftercare cream. (Many can be purchased online however Dr. Pickles from Woolworths is the most accessible). Make sure your tattoo is thoroughly dry before applying.

Day 2 -3 

Although maybe still irritated and red, your tattoo should stop oozing and some healthy scabbing will occur.

Continue to wash your tattoo 1-2 times a day with a gentle soap and water and apply your cream twice a day. 

End of First Week

Continue with your aftercare.

The tattoo will have a bit of soft scabbing and begin to feel itchy. Do not scratch, pick or touch it as you can quite literally pick the ink / art out and damage the quality.

Apply cream when it feels dry to keep lightly moisturised but no more than a few times a day.

Weeks 2-3

The soft scabs will harden and become flaky - It might even look like your tattoo is peeling off. This is normal. The tattoo will be “healed” when it all flakes off and feels like normal skin again.

Continue with aftercare.

DO NOT’S

  • DO NOT go swimming for 3 weeks (or be submerged in water, i.e, baths, pools, jacuzzi, beaches, etc. Showering is fine).

  • DO NOT touch the tattoo after handling pets (or anything)

  • DO NOT apply fake tan over the tattoo 

  • DO NOT shave over the tattoo

  • DO NOT scratch, pick, touch, your tattoo 

  • DO NOT expose your tattoo to the sun - Keep it lightly covered if you can

  • DO NOT use heavily coloured or fragranted soaps or creams 

  • DO NOT do exercise that causes you to excessively sweat on your tattoo

  • DO NOT drink alcohol 48 hours before or after getting your tattoo