Taking the Bandage Off and Cleaning Your Tattoo

Keep the bandage on for a minimum of 2 hours. DO NOT re-wrap your tattoo once the bandage is removed.

Make sure your hands are clean. Use unscented antibacterial soap and avoid soap with fragrance, moisture beads or scrubs.

1. Carefully remove the bandage and tape. If bandage sticks to the tattoo, wet it with lukewarm water and gently slide it off. DO NOT force it off or be rough with it.

2. Make a lather in your hands with soap and warm water. NO washcloths, bath towels, or sponges on a fresh tattoo.

3. Gently clean the tattoo until all blood, ointment and plasma are removed. Rinse the tattoo gently.

4. Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel then allow to fully air dry. DO NOT SCRUB.

5. Once the tattoo is dry, apply a very small amount of Aquaphor or Bacitracin. Gently rub the ointment into your tattoo. Dab any excess off with a clean paper towel.

Clean your tattoo this way once or twice a day in the shower for the first 2-3 days.

Your Daily Tattoo Aftercare Routine

Apply the Aquaphor or Bacitracin 2-3 times a day (Remember, keep it light!) for the first 5-7 days or until your tattoo starts to flake/peel like a sunburn. When the peeling begins, switch to a regular FRAGRANCE FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance free brand for an additional 2 weeks.

Your tattoo should be completely healed within 2-4 weeks.

Reduce the number of your daily lotion application if you notice your skin breaking out.

After the first few days, your tattoo may become itchy or begin to form flaky scabs. They will fall off on their own, so DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH AT YOUR TATTOO. Keep it moisturized and the scabs will eventually dissipate.

What to Avoid

Sun exposure: Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight during healing. UV light breaks down pigment, and a healing tattoo is especially vulnerable. Once healed, apply SPF 30+ sunscreen over it any time you're in the sun. Sunscreen is the single most effective way to keep your tattoo looking sharp long-term.

Swimming: No pools, hot tubs, lakes, or ocean water for at least 2 weeks. Soaking the tattoo during healing introduces bacteria and can cause ink loss. Showers are fine, just don't let a direct stream run over the tattoo for extended periods.

Picking and scratching: Pulling flaking skin away before it's ready can lift pigment and leave patchy spots. It can also introduce bacteria. Leave it alone.

Tight clothing over the area: Friction and pressure from tight fabric can irritate healing skin and potentially affect how ink settles.

Working out (temporarily): Heavy sweating can irritate a fresh tattoo. If you exercise regularly, try to wait 48-72 hours before intense workouts, and wash the tattoo after any sweaty session.

Antibiotic use: If you're prescribed antibiotics during healing, let your artist know. Some antibiotics can affect how your skin heals and may cause tattoo ink to fade or behave differently.

What's Normal

• Redness and tenderness in the first 2–3 days

• Mild swelling, especially in areas like the inner arm, ankle, or hands

• Weeping of clear-to-yellowish fluid in the first day

• Peeling and flaking in the first 1–2 weeks

• A milky, slightly dull appearance as new skin forms over the tattoo

What's Not Normal

If you experience increasing redness that spreads beyond the tattoo, significant swelling or warmth, green or yellow discharge, fever, or worsening pain after the first couple of days, reach out to us and, if necessary, see a doctor. Infections are not common when a tattoo is done in a clean environment and cared for properly, but they do happen.

Long-Term Care

A tattoo is a long-term investment. Once it's healed:

• Apply sunscreen every time the tattoo is exposed to sunlight. This is the biggest factor in how well your tattoo ages.

• Moisturize regularly. Dry, neglected skin makes tattoos look dull faster. Keeping your skin healthy keeps the ink looking its best.

• Avoid prolonged sun exposure without protection, especially in summer.

Touch-Ups

Most well-healed tattoos don't need a touch-up, but some spots (particularly areas with a lot of flex or sun exposure, or placements that are harder to heal) may need a small amount of work after healing is complete. Any piece done at Stay Marked gets a complimentary touch-up within 3 months. If your tattoo was done at another shop, we're happy to help, but standard rates will apply.

Just make sure your tattoo has had enough time to fully heal before booking. We generally recommend waiting at least 4-6 weeks after your session. Skin that's still in the healing process won't hold a touch-up as well, and we want your artwork to look great for the long term.

Questions?

If something looks off, reach out before assuming the worst. We'd rather answer a question than have a client stress unnecessarily, or let something go too long that needs attention. Contact us or stop by during open hours.

For answers to other common questions, visit our Tattoo FAQ page.