Aftercare Instructions​

 

Aftercare is one of the most important parts of the tattoo process—arguably even more important than the tattoo itself.

While I take every precaution in the studio to maintain hygiene and prevent infection, once you leave, your tattoo is exposed to everyday environments. How you care for it during healing will directly impact how it looks and heals long-term.

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Immediate Aftercare (First 24–48 Hours)

Your tattoo is an open wound, so it’s important to treat it as such.
 

Dressing

• Your tattoo will be wrapped in a dressing after your appointment.

• Leave this on for around 1 hour (up to 2 hours if needed to get home).

• DO NOT leave it on for extended periods (3–5 hours), as this can trap moisture, sweat, and bacteria—eww gross!

Once Removed

• DO NOT re-wrap your tattoo! We want it to air out!

• Your skin needs to breathe to begin healing properly.
   

Your body will naturally produce a clear oozy liquid (this is plasma!), which will dry out over time and form a light scab, but if we wrap the tattoo, we risk trapping moisture against the wound and preventing the scab from forming. The scab will act as a natural barrier protecting your body from any bacteria from getting into the wound and causing an infection.

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Cleaning

• Gently rinse your tattoo under cold water (this helps reduce any swelling, but lukewarm water is also fine—but avoid using hot water!

• You may use a medical-grade, fragrance-free antibacterial soap such as Chlorhexidine to clean the wound—this can be purchased at a pharmacy. However, water is often enough to remove surface debris.

• Avoid cleaning the wound with body wash or shower gels, as these contain fragrances and other harsh ingredients that can aggravate the skin. Additionally, please avoid using a bar of soap, shower loofahs and/or sponges as these can hold bacteria and introduce them into the wound.

• DO NOT clean the tattoo with isopropyl alcohol!
   

Drying

• Gently pat dry using a clean paper towel.

• Avoid using regular towels, as they can carry bacteria and dead skin cells.
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Important

• DO NOT use any ointments in the first 24-48 hours!

• DO NOT wrap the tattoo again!

• DO NOT consume alcohol within the first 24-48 hours of getting a new tattoo! Alcohol thins the blood and can prevent plasma from forming, impacting how the tattoo heals! 

• DO NOT shave over a fresh tattoo!

• DO NOT clean the tattoo with isopropyl alcohol!

• DO NOT touch it unnecessarily!

• DO NOT expose the area to potential contaminants, i.e. pets, dirt or unclean surfaces or infection-prone environments i.e. hospitals, public restrooms, public gyms, public swimming pools.

 

​Wound Care & Healing (2-14 Days)

After the first 24–48 hours, you can begin applying aftercare cream. Please use an antiseptic cream, not just a general moisturiser, as this will destroy and/or inhibit any bacteria from growing on the surface of the skin and around the wound.

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• Apply a thin, even layer 1–2 times per day based on the recommendation of your artist.

Recommended Antiseptic Creams

There are a lot of aftercare products on the market, but something from the pharmacy is always going to be best! Ensure it is suitable for cuts, abrasions and broken skin. This is essential, as not all antiseptics are suitable for broken skin; some may contain harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, which will burn and sting if applied to broken skin. 

I recommend the following:

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• Savlon

• Dr Pickles

• Bepanthen (First Aid or Tattoo formula)—NOT Bepanthen Antiseptic (sold in the baby care aisle of Coles and Woolworths), the formula is too thick and oily, which traps moisture and can cause contaminants to stick to the wound.

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DO NOT USE

• Bepanthen Antiseptic (too thick and oily and uses a different formula to the Bepanthen First Aid or Tattoo formula)

• Paw Paw ointment 

• Coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera 

• General moisturisers

 

These products DO NOT contain antiseptic properties, can trap moisture, attract debris, and increase the risk of infection. Basically, if the wound becomes too moist, a scab will not form. The scab acts as a natural barrier protecting your body from any bacteria getting into the wound, but when a scab becomes moist, the skin cells soften and separate (i.e. the scab comes off), leaving an open wound—and if the wound is open (without a scab), the body is more susceptible to an infection.

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The goal:

​You’re aiming for a balanced, breathable healing environment.

• DO NOT let the tattoo become too dry (cracking or bleeding).

• DO NOT over-moisturise (soggy or irritated skin).
   

What to Expect During Healing

Your tattoo will heal like a mild sunburn and will be:​

• Dry

• Itchy

• Flakey
   

Do NOT

• Scratch, pick or pull at any flakes or scabs that form!
   

This can

• Cause scarring

• Introduce bacteria that can lead to an infection

• Pull the ink particles out from under the skin (causing patchiness!)
   

If it gets itchy

• Lightly tap or gently slap the area instead! 

• DO NOT rub the area and avoid scratching at all costs!
   

What to Avoid While Healing (2-14 Days)

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• DO NOT soak the wound or submerge it underwater for prolonged periods of time.

  • NO swimming

    • NO public swimming pools

    • NO private swimming pools

    • NO swimming in the ocean, rivers, lakes, dams or large puddles!

    • NO baths

    • NO spas

    • NO saunas

• DO NOT wear tight or restrictive clothing over the area—this will prevent air flow which is required for healing!

• DO NOT expose the new tattoo to direct sun exposure while healing. Once healed, SPF is your best friend for keeping your tattoo looking fresh.

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Sweat & Exercise:

• Avoid excessive sweating where possible.

• If you do exercise, avoid direct contact with the equipment as it can contain bacteria.

• Wear loose clothing to allow airflow.

• Rinse and dry the tattoo after excessive sweating.
   

Work Environment Considerations

If you work in a high-contact environment (e.g. healthcare, childcare, animals, food prep):

• Keep the area clean

• Wear loose, breathable clothing that covers the area

• Follow strict hygiene practices
   

Placement-Specific Considerations

Certain areas are more prone to fading or ink loss. Areas exposed to friction or frequent movement have a higher skin cell turnover rate, meaning the skin is less likely to hold the ink over time due to rapid cell loss. These areas include:

• Hands

• Feet

• Fingers

• Face

• Neck

• Ears

• Ankle (not as bad as others mentioned)

For these areas:

• Avoid tight clothing and repeated friction

• Be extra mindful during healing
   

A Note on Fine Line Tattoos

Fine line tattoos are more delicate and can have a higher chance of ink loss during healing. This is because:

• The surface area of skin affected is smaller

• The scab that forms is more fragile

• The tattoo can be more easily disrupted by clothing, movement, or accidental contact

Because of this, some minor fading or variation during healing is normal.

My approach to fine line tattooing is designed to support better healing and longevity. I use a considered application technique and work with diluted ink (a dark greywash), which allows the pigment to settle more gently into the skin. This can help reduce excessive spreading over time and create a softer, more stable result as the tattoo ages. While this approach can reduce the likelihood of ink loss or blowout, all tattoos are still subject to individual healing factors, and touch-ups may occasionally be needed.

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Touch-ups can be discussed once the tattoo is fully healed. Please note that areas known to have a higher likelihood of poor healing (such as high-movement or high-friction areas) will incur a touch-up fee.

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Signs of an Infection

While most tattoos heal without issue, it’s important to monitor your tattoo during the healing process. Your tattoo should gradually settle as it heals, but if you notice any of the following, these may be signs of infection:
 

• Increasing or worsening redness

• Swelling that doesn’t go down

• Persistent or intensifying pain

• Excess heat coming from the area

• Pus or unusual discharge
   

If you’re unsure, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.