Taking care of a new tattoo

A fresh tattoo is a wound — and how you treat it in the first weeks decides how it looks for the rest of your life. Always follow your artist’s personal instructions first; these are the essentials.

1. Keep it clean. Gently wash with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap, then pat dry with a clean towel. No hot water, no scrubbing.
2. Moisturize thinly. Use a product made for tattoo care and apply a thin layer with clean hands. Avoid heavy petroleum products that trap heat and moisture.
3. Don’t soak it. No swimming, baths or long soaks for the first two weeks — water softens the scab and can pull ink out.
4. Don’t pick or scratch. Let it flake and peel naturally. Picking causes patchy ink and scarring.
5. Wear loose clothing. Tight fabric rubs, irritates and slows healing.
6. Stay out of the sun. Protect it for at least the first month. Once healed, high-SPF sunscreen keeps colors bright for years.
7. Avoid harsh chemicals. Bleach, chlorine and smoking can all fade ink and disturb healing.
8. Take it easy on sweat. Skip heavy workouts and very hot showers for the first week.
9. Don’t re-bandage. Once the first wrap is off, let the tattoo breathe — re-wrapping can trap bacteria.
10. Ask when in doubt. Unusual redness, heat or swelling? Contact your artist or a doctor right away.