Tattoo Aftercare

Taking care of yourself and your tattoo is essential before and after your session. Here at Celebrity Ink we recommend that you follow our comprehensive aftercare guide to ensure your tattoo stays fresh and vibrant. 

Getting a tattoo is exciting, and we’re here to bring your vision to life! 

Are you ready to get inked? Let’s get started!
Taking care of yourself and your tattoo is essential before and after your session. Here at Celebrity Ink, we recommend that you follow our comprehensive aftercare guide to ensure your tattoo stays fresh and vibrant.

Getting a tattoo is exciting, and we’re here to bring your vision to life!

Are you ready to get inked? Let’s get started!

How To Care For Your Fresh Ink

You’ve made it! The hard part is over; now it’s time to look after your new, beautiful tattoo! 
So, whether it’s your first tattoo and you’re not sure what to do, or you’re well versed in the world of ink, it’s essential to follow these aftercare instructions. 
On the day you get inked, your tattoo artist will apply a plastic wrap to your tattoo. Keeping this on for at least one hour or two is essential to ensure optimal protection. Once you remove the plastic wrap, use lukewarm water and a fragrance-free soap to cleanse the area. Pat the area dry with a clean towel and apply tattoo aftercare cream. Once the plastic wrap has been removed, there is no need to re-wrap your tattoo.
On the day
2-3 days
after your tattoo
Continue to gently cleanse your tattoo with fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water once or twice a day. You may notice some ink washing down the drain. This is just excess ink that has come up through your skin. Pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel or disposable paper towel. Ensure the tattooed area is dry before applying the aftercare cream. 
By now, your tattoo would have formed scabs. These scabs are not as thick as they would be if you were to cut your skin. Your tattoo will most likely be itchy during this stage of the healing. It is important not to scratch the tattoo or pick off the scabs as this could damage it. Let the scabs flake off naturally so that no scars will form. To relieve the itchiness of this healing stage, use a fragrance-free and alcohol-free moisturiser. 
6-14 days
after your tattoo
Up to 2 weeks
after your tattoo
Within a few days, your tattoo will start to heal, and these steps will ensure your tattoo heals well:
  • Avoid sun exposure, as it can damage the skin and impair the healing process.
  • Avoid submerging your tattoo in water, as it can increase the chance of infection. 
  • Avoid excessive sweating and exercise.
In this stage of healing, most of the bigger flakes of dead skin and scabs should have cleared up. There may still be some smaller bits of dead skin, yet to come away from the area; they will come off naturally.  The tattooed area might still look dry and dull; continue to moisturise the area until it looks hydrated. By the second or third week, the outer layer should have healed; however, it will still take 3-4 months for the lower layers of skin to heal. By the end of the third month, your tattoo should look vibrant and as it should.
14-30 days
after your tattoo

How To Care For Your Fresh Ink

You’ve made it! The hard part is over; now it’s time to look after your new, beautiful tattoo! 
So, whether it’s your first tattoo and you’re not sure what to do, or you’re well versed in the world of ink, it’s essential to follow these aftercare instructions. 
On the day
On the day you get inked, your tattoo artist will apply a plastic wrap to your tattoo. Keeping this on for at least one hour or two is essential to ensure optimal protection. Once you remove the plastic wrap, use lukewarm water and a fragrance-free soap to cleanse the area. Pat the area dry with a clean towel and apply tattoo aftercare cream. Once the plastic wrap has been removed, there is no need to re-wrap your tattoo.
2-3 days
after your tattoo
Continue to gently cleanse your tattoo with fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water once or twice a day. You may notice some ink washing down the drain. This is just excess ink that has come up through your skin. Pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel or disposable paper towel. Ensure the tattooed area is dry before applying the aftercare cream. 
6-14 days
after your tattoo
By now, your tattoo would have formed scabbed. These scabs are not as thick as they would be if you were to cut your skin. Your tattoo will most likely be itchy during this stage of the healing. It is important not to scratch the tattoo or pick off the scabs as this could damage it. Let the scabs flake off naturally so that no scars will form. To relieve the itchiness of this healing stage, use a fragrance-free and alcohol-free moisturiser.
Up to 2 weeks
after your tattoo
Within a few days, your tattoo will start to heal, and these steps will ensure your tattoo heals well:
  • Avoid sun exposure, as it can damage the skin and impair the healing process.
  • Avoid submerging your tattoo in water, as it can increase the chance of infection. 
  • Avoid excessive sweating and exercise.
14-30 days
after your tattoo
In this stage of healing, most of the bigger flakes of dead skin and scabs should have cleared up. There may still be some smaller bits of dead skin, yet to come away from the area; they will come off naturally.  The tattooed area might still look dry and dull; continue to moisturise the area until it looks hydrated. By the second or third week, the outer layer should have healed; however, it will still take 3-4 months for the lower layers of skin to heal. By the end of the third month, your tattoo should look vibrant and as it should. 

What To Avoid With A Fresh Tattoo 

You’re inked! So, what are the things to avoid to ensure ultimate fresh tattoo care? 
Keeping your tattoo covered for too long
Fresh tattoos are open wounds and are covered with plastic wrap to start the initial healing phase. However, removing that wrap before six hours is vital as blood and plasma accumulation can block your skin pores, preventing them from breathing and damaging your new tattoo.
Touching your tattoo
Like with any wound, touching it can lead to bacteria getting in and causing infection. Avoid touching it (unless when applying aftercare cream for your tattoo). 
Picking or scratching your tattoo
One of the most common traits about new tattoos is that when they start to heal, they begin to scab over. However, one of the worst things you can do is to pick or scratch, as it can potentially damage the lines and colour of your tattoo. 
Excessive sun exposure
Spending too much time in the sun can quickly ruin your new tattoo. During the first 30 days, stay out of the sun as much as possible. 
Shaving
If your new tattoo is in a spot where you frequently shave, you must avoid shaving the area until it has fully healed (at least one month). Shaving over a new tattoo reopens the wound, which can mess up your new ink.
Excessive moisture and water
After getting a new tattoo, it’s best to avoid swimming, baths, spas or any excessive water activities for two weeks post-tattoo. Excessive water and moisture on your tattoo can increase the chance of infection and prevent the healing process from being successful.
Tight clothing
For your tattoo to heal, it must be able to breathe. Wear loose-fitted clothing to allow air to circulate around your tattoo.
Using a loofah
When you’re in the shower, avoid using a loofah to clean your tattoo at all costs. Not only will it hurt, but loofahs are full of bacteria and can lead to infection.

Tattoo Healing Timeline

Whether you’ve opted to get a small, dainty design or a large, detailed piece, all tattoos go through the same healing process. 
The tattoo healing timeline can be broken into the stages below:
Inflammation
days 1-3
Once you remove the plastic wrap (up to six hours after you’ve been inked), you may notice the area around your tattoo is red or swollen. You may also see some ink, along with some blood and plasma, coming out of the tattoo, which is very normal!
Itching
days 4-14
As the healing process continues, the top layer of skin over your tattoo will begin to peel, scab and itch. This is a normal part of the healing process. Avoid scratching and picking at the scabs during this time, as it can damage your tattoo.
Invisible Recovery
days 14-30
After two weeks, the visible signs of healing (itching, peeling, etc.) begin to subside, and invisible recovery begins. During this time, your tattoo might appear dry and dull. However, once you’ve hit the one-month mark, your tattoo will have taken on its permanent, vibrant colour. The skin underneath will continue to heal for a few months afterwards.
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