Tattoo Prep & Aftercare
Everything from the night before your session to week six and beyond, in one place.
A tattoo is a skilled piece of work and a wound at the same time. How you prepare and how you heal decide how it looks for years. This guide follows what our artists tell clients in the studio. Your artist's written instructions always come first, because the protective film and products can differ from piece to piece.How to prepare and how to heal. Your artist's written instructions always come first.
- Before, during and after
- Healing timeline to week six
- Free touch-up within six months
- Questions? Message us any time
The part after you leave the chair
The artist's work is finished when you leave, but the result is not. During healing the skin closes over the pigment, and the way you treat it in those weeks decides whether lines stay crisp, shading stays smooth and colour stays rich.
Most healing problems come from the same few things: over-moisturising, scented products, soaking in water too early, sun on fresh skin and picking at flaking. The guide below is built around avoiding those, and around doing a few simple things consistently.
Every body heals a little differently, and larger or more detailed pieces ask for more patience. If anything looks or feels wrong, write to us rather than guessing. We would much rather answer a small question than see a problem grow.
How to prepare
A well-rested, well-fed, hydrated body is calmer under the needle and heals better.Rest, eat, hydrate. Keep it simple.
The day and night before
- Sleep at least eight hours: a tired nervous system feels pain more sharply
- Drink plenty of water through the 24 hours before
- No alcohol for at least 24 hours (48 for a long session): it thins the blood and increases swelling
- Avoid sunburn on the area to be tattooed
On the day
- Eat a proper meal one to two hours beforehand
- Wear loose, dark clothing with easy access to the area
- Tell your artist about any health conditions or medication
- Arrive a few minutes early to confirm the stencil
For a long session (four hours or more)
- Bring a water bottle and snacks such as bananas, nuts or protein bars
- Bring headphones and something to listen to
- Speak up if you feel dizzy, cold or nauseous so we can pause
- Breathe slowly and steadily during difficult passes
The healing timeline
A general picture. Follow your artist's written instructions where they differ.A general picture. Your artist's written steps come first.
- First hours
Protect and rest
Your artist covers the tattoo with a protective wrap and tells you how long to keep it on. Follow that advice. Go home, relax and keep the area clean and uncovered by tight clothing.Keep the wrap as advised. Rest.
- Days 1–3
Wash gently
Wash with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free antibacterial soap, using clean hands. Pat dry with a clean paper towel, never a bathroom towel or cotton wool. Put clean sheets on your bed.Lukewarm water, mild soap, paper towel.
- Weeks 1–3
Thin cream, no picking
Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free tattoo cream three to four times a day. A light film is plenty. The tattoo will itch and flake. Do not scratch or peel.Thin cream 3–4 times a day. Don't pick.
- Weeks 3–6
Keep moisturising
Continue to moisturise as the skin settles. Stay out of chlorinated pools, hot tubs and open water for the first six weeks.Keep moisturising. No pools for six weeks.
- After week 6
Protect for life
Once the skin has fully closed you can use high-SPF sunscreen. Sun is the biggest long-term enemy of any tattoo, so keep using it.High-SPF sunscreen for life.
Do and don't while it heals
Do
- Wash your hands before touching the tattoo
- Keep the skin lightly moisturised
- Wear loose, clean, breathable clothing
- Keep pets away from the area
- Sleep on clean sheets
- Stay hydrated and eat well
Don't
- Soak in pools, hot tubs, the sea or long baths for six weeks
- Sunbathe or use tanning beds for at least twelve weeks
- Use alcohol, perfumed lotions or harsh soaps
- Apply numbing creams or thick petroleum jelly over healing work
- Do heavy workouts or intense cardio during the first week
- Pick, scratch or peel flaking skin
When something does not look right
- Spreading redness, increasing heat or swelling after the first few days
- Pus, a bad smell or a fever
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Anything you are unsure about
Contact a doctor if you suspect an infection, and write to us so we can help with the tattoo itself. A free touch-up within six months is available when the aftercare was followed.
Prep and aftercare: your questions
Your artist will tell you, and the written instructions you receive come first. The protective film and the time to keep it on can differ depending on the piece and the product used.
A fragrance-free tattoo or skin cream, in a thin layer. More is not better: drowning the skin clogs pores and can pull out pigment.
Yes, usually in the second week. Let the flakes come off on their own, do not scratch or peel, and keep moisturising lightly.
Avoid pools, hot tubs and open water for the first six weeks, and sunbathing and tanning beds for at least twelve. After the skin has closed, always use high-SPF sunscreen.
Avoid heavy workouts and intense cardio in the first week. Sweat and gym bacteria on a healing surface cause problems. Light movement is fine.
One complimentary touch-up is available within six months when the aftercare instructions were followed. Ask your artist to arrange it.
Plan your tattoo for the end of your trip if you can. If you fly, keep the area clean and moisturised, avoid hotel pools and the sea, and stay out of direct sun.
Healing is easier with someone to ask.
Write to us about your tattoo at any stage, before the session or during healing. We reply within one business day.
- Response time
- We reply within one business day with artist availability, price guidance, and the next open slots.
- What to send
- Idea, placement, rough size, references, and whether this is fresh work or a cover-up.
- Deposit policy
- Consultation is free. If you approve the plan, a deposit secures your appointment.
- Studio safety
- Licensed artists, sterile stations, and aftercare explained before you leave.
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