Tattoo aftercare, step by step
How to care for a fresh tattoo: the first hours, days 1 to 7, weeks 2 to 4, what to avoid and when to write. Aftercare guide from SSTATTS in Warsaw.
A well healed tattoo is half of the result. Below is the general routine. At the end of your session I will tell you what applies to your particular tattoo, and if you hear different advice from me than what is written here, follow mine. If you have questions while it heals, message me on WhatsApp with a photo, from abroad too.
The first hours
At the end of the session I wrap the fresh tattoo in absorbent protective pads for the first night. Leave them on until morning. Do not take them off to check, and do not peek underneath.
Days 1 to 7
- Wash your hands before you touch the tattoo.
- In the morning after the session, wash the tattoo thoroughly with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap, then pat it dry with a clean paper towel without rubbing.
- Then, depending on the placement and your skin, Second Skin film goes on for 5 to 7 days. I decide that case by case and will tell you after the session whether we use it.
- A small amount of fluid can collect under the film. That is normal. If there is a lot of fluid or the film starts to lift, message me.
- Showers are fine, but keep them short and lukewarm.
Weeks 2 to 4
The skin starts to flake and itch. Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer two to three times a day, or use Bepanthen, until the skin stops flaking, which usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. Do not scratch or peel. The deeper layers of the skin need longer than these few weeks to settle fully.
What to avoid
- Sun. No direct sun and no tanning beds. Once healed, use SPF 50+ sunscreen.
- Sauna, pool and open water. For 2 to 4 weeks, long soaking and heat are bad for a fresh tattoo.
- The gym. For 2 to 4 weeks, skip hard workouts, sweat and tight clothes rubbing on the tattooed area.
- Scratching. The itch passes; a damaged tattoo stays.
Touch-ups
Sometimes a spot takes the pigment less well as it heals. Send me a photo in daylight and I will tell you whether a touch-up is needed. Touch-ups of my own work we discuss individually.
When to write
Light redness and swelling in the first days are normal. If the redness spreads, pus or a fever appears, or the pain grows, see a doctor and let me know. For anything else, just message me through Contact and attach a photo. To see how work looks once healed, read About, and for the styles I work in, see tattoo styles.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long do I keep the protective film on?
Second Skin film stays on for 5 to 7 days, but whether I use it at all, and for how long, depends on the placement and your skin. I decide that case by case. Do not peel it off early, even if it looks wrinkled, and you will hear the instructions for your tattoo at the end of the session.
Can I take a shower?
Yes, a short lukewarm one. Do not soak the tattoo in a bath, pool or the sea until the skin has healed.
My tattoo itches and flakes. Is that normal?
Yes, it is a common stage of healing. Do not scratch or pick at it. Apply a thin layer of cream and let the skin do its work.
When can I go back to the gym or the sauna?
Hold off on hard workouts, the sauna and the pool until the skin has healed. The exact time depends on the placement and size, so ask me after the session.
When should I see a doctor?
If the redness spreads, pus or a fever appears, or the pain grows instead of fading. Write to me as well and send a photo.