Aftercare · Naples, FL
Tattoo Aftercare
A great tattoo needs good care to heal well. Here's exactly how I ask my clients to look after a new tattoo, from the first day to the first couple of weeks. Treat your tattoo like minor surgery, and gentle care will give you the best healing.
Step 1: The bandage
Aftercare depends on which bandage I use on your tattoo.
Tegaderm (clear wrap)
- Leave it on for 24 hours, up to the next morning.
- Showering is fine.
- Remove it in the shower by pulling a corner toward the bandage, not sideways.
Hypafix (white cloth wrap)
- Keep it on for 2 to 5 days, washing it gently 3 times a day.
- Let it air dry before moving on with your day.
- Remove it in the shower by peeling toward you.
Plastic wrap
- Keep it on until the next morning.
- Then wash, pat dry and rewrap morning and night for 3 days.
Step 2: After the bandage comes off
- Wash gently 2 times a day with an unscented liquid soap, such as Dr. Bronner's Unscented or Dial Gold.
- Pat dry and apply a thin layer of unscented lotion, such as Tattoo Goo, After Ink or Aveeno. Reapply as needed.
- Avoid ointments like Neosporin, Vaseline, A and D or Aquaphor.
- Keep it moisturized for at least 2 weeks.
What to avoid
For at least one week, avoid sun, pools, hot tubs, saunas, picking, scratching and heavy workouts.
Stay out of the Gulf, pools and hot tubs and keep your tattoo out of direct sun until it's fully healed, usually about two weeks. Once it's healed, use sunscreen on it to keep the color bright.
Free touch-ups are included on my work. If something doesn't look or feel right as it heals, reach out and we'll take a look.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I keep the bandage on a new tattoo?
It depends on the bandage used. A clear Tegaderm wrap stays on for 24 hours, up to the next morning. A white cloth Hypafix wrap stays on for 2 to 5 days. Plastic wrap stays on until the next morning, then you wash, pat dry and rewrap morning and night for 3 days.
What should I wash a new tattoo with?
Once the bandage is off, wash gently 2 times a day with an unscented liquid soap such as Dr. Bronner's Unscented or Dial Gold. Pat dry, then apply a thin layer of unscented lotion.
What lotion should I use, and what should I avoid?
Use an unscented lotion such as Tattoo Goo, After Ink or Aveeno in a thin layer, and reapply as needed. Avoid ointments like Neosporin, Vaseline, A and D or Aquaphor. Keep it moisturized for at least 2 weeks.
Can I swim or go to the beach after getting tattooed?
Not right away. Stay out of the Gulf, pools and hot tubs and keep your tattoo out of direct sun until it's fully healed, usually about two weeks. Once it's healed, use sunscreen on it to keep the color bright.
What should I avoid while my tattoo heals?
Avoid sun, pools, hot tubs, saunas, picking, scratching and heavy workouts for at least one week. Treat your tattoo like minor surgery. Gentle care gives the best healing.
Can I take the bandage off in the shower?
Yes. Showering is fine with a Tegaderm wrap, and that is the best place to remove it: pull a corner toward the bandage, not sideways. A Hypafix wrap is also removed in the shower by peeling it toward you.
Do you offer free touch-ups?
Yes. Touch-ups on Chris's work are free whenever you need them. Just reach out and we'll get you scheduled.
Questions or ready for your next piece?
Call 720-422-4628 or send an inquiry. See also the full FAQ page and my Naples tattoo studio page.