Looking after your new tattoo
How a tattoo heals is half the artist and half you. Follow this and it will settle bold, clean and sharp. Anything you are unsure about, message us - we would rather answer a daft question than fix a bad heal.
The healing timeline
- 01
Day one
Leave the wrap on for as long as your artist tells you - usually two to four hours for cling film, or a few days for a second-skin dressing. When it comes off, wash the tattoo with clean hands, lukewarm water and unscented soap, pat it dry with kitchen roll and let it breathe.
- 02
Days two to four
Wash it twice a day and apply the thinnest possible layer of unscented moisturiser afterwards. It should never look shiny or wet. Some plasma, weeping and heat is normal; heavy swelling that gets worse rather than better is not.
- 03
Days five to fourteen
Flaking and itching kick in. Do not pick, scratch or peel it - that is where patchy healing and lost colour comes from. Keep moisturising lightly and keep it out of direct sun.
- 04
Weeks three to six
The surface looks healed but the deeper skin is still settling, so the tattoo can look slightly cloudy for a few weeks. Once it clears, that is your finished piece. If anything has healed light, message us about a touch-up.
What to avoid
- Swimming pools, the sea and baths until fully healed - showers are fine
- Sunbeds and direct sunlight on a fresh tattoo; use high factor sun cream on it for life
- The gym, heavy sweating and contact sport for the first few days
- Scented lotions, petroleum jelly, thick greasy layers and anything antibacterial unless we say so
- Tight clothing, straps or waistbands rubbing over the area
- Letting pets sleep against a fresh tattoo
Worried about a heal?
Spreading redness, real pain after a few days, or any discharge means stop guessing and speak to us or a doctor. Otherwise email twinthronetattoo@gmail.com with a photo and we will take a look. We are open wednesday to sunday, 10am - 6pm. closed monday and tuesday.
Read the FAQ