tattoo aftercare guide

Looking after your new tattoo properly helps it heal well, lowers the risk of infection and keeps your design looking its best for years to come. Follow this guide from the team at Athena Studio in Stamford, and if you have any questions while your tattoo heals, we're always happy to help.

A tattoo of a steel gauntlet in dotwork black & white

A photorealistic colour tattoo of the Marvel character Venom

The first 24 hours

When you leave the studio, your new tattoo will be wrapped. Keep it covered for the time your artist has suggested.
It's completely normal for your tattoo to push out a mixture of plasma and excess ink. When it starts to look messy under the wrap, remove it and follow the cleaning instructions below.
Repeat the cleaning steps as needed during the first 24 hours, and leave your tattoo wrapped overnight.

How to clean your new tattoo

Wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
Using fresh, lukewarm tap water and fragrance-free soap, gently clean your tattoo with the palm of your hand.
Clean gently to remove loose plasma from the skin's surface. DO NOT RUB!
Pat dry with a clean paper towel.
Once dry, rewrap your tattoo in a clean piece of cling film (first 24 hours only).

After 24 hours: the unwrapped stage

After the first 24 hours, keep cleaning your tattoo as described above, but don't rewrap it.
Your body will form a scab over the tattoo. It's important not to pick the scabs, as this can cause scarring and patchy healing.
Every 3–4 hours, gently apply a small amount of aftercare cream. Less is more.
Continue these steps until your tattoo is fully healed.

Tattoo aftercare dos and don'ts

Do keep it clean and free from beauty products, bacteria and especially animal hair.
Do keep your hands off, only touching your tattoo when you're cleaning it.
Don't pick or scratch, however itchy it gets.
Don't expose it to sun or sunbeds. UV rays fade tattoos, even once they've healed.
Don't swim or soak your fresh tattoo. Showers are better than baths while it heals.

FAQs

How long does a tattoo take to heal?

In most cases, your tattoo will be fully healed after 2–3 weeks. If you have any concerns during that time, please get in touch.

When to seek medical advice

Some redness, tenderness and itching are a normal part of healing. If your tattoo becomes increasingly red, swollen, hot or painful, produces pus, or you feel unwell or feverish, contact your GP or call NHS 111.

Tattoo touch-ups

Sometimes, no matter how thorough your aftercare, a tattoo may need a touch-up once it’s fully healed. If you think yours does, just send us a message or call in for a chat and we’ll arrange it.

Questions about your tattoo?

If anything doesn’t look or feel right while your tattoo heals, or you’re unsure about any step, get in touch with the studio. We’d always rather hear from you than have you worry.