YOUR TATTOO IS HEALING
A fresh tattoo is a healing wound. It’s normal for the appearance to change over the next several weeks as your skin heals. Every tattoo heals differently based on placement, size, saturation, skin type, lifestyle and individual healing.
Your first priority: Keep it clean, lightly moisturized, protected from friction, and leave peeling skin alone.
WHAT TO DO
- Keep the bandage on for the timeframe Christine gave you.
- Wash your hands before removing the bandage.
- Gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a recommended unscented cleanser.
- Use clean fingertips only. Do not use washcloths or brushes.
- Pat dry with a clean, disposable paper towel and allow the tattoo to dry completely before applying a very thin layer of moisturizer.
DAILY CARE
DAYS 1-21
DAYS 1–3 — FRESH & TENDER
Your tattoo may be red, swollen, warm, tender or slightly shiny. A small amount of clear fluid, plasma or excess ink may seep from the tattoo.
Wash gently 2–3 times daily. Pat completely dry with a clean, disposable paper towel. Apply a very thin layer of moisturizer.
DAYS 4–10 — DRYING & PEELING
Dryness, tightness, itching, flaking and peeling are normal. Your tattoo may look dull, cloudy or less vibrant while the skin heals.
Do NOT pick, scratch, peel or pull at the skin. Let it shed naturally.
Continue washing gently, drying completely and applying a thin layer of moisturizer as needed.
DAYS 10–21 — SETTLING & CLEARING
Peeling should be mostly finished. Mild itching or dryness may continue, and the tattoo may still look slightly dull as the deeper layers of skin continue healing.
Continue normal gentle care and protect the tattoo from unnecessary friction and direct sun.
BY DAY 21
The surface of your tattoo should be largely healed, although deeper healing continues beyond this point. Your tattoo may continue to settle and become clearer over the following weeks.
Remember: Every tattoo heals differently based on placement, size, saturation, skin type, lifestyle and individual healing.
WHAT’S NORMAL?
Mild redness and warmth around the tattoo are common during the first few days and should gradually improve.
SWELLING & TENDERNESS
Some swelling, sensitivity or soreness is normal, especially during the first few days.
CLEAR FLUID / PLASMA
A small amount of clear or slightly yellowish fluid mixed with excess ink can be normal shortly after your appointment.
ITCHING
Itching is very common as the tattoo heals. Do not scratch it.
PEELING & FLAKING
Light peeling, flaking and small pieces of dry skin are normal. Let the skin come off naturally.
CHANGES IN APPEARANCE
Your tattoo may look dull, cloudy, dry or slightly uneven while the skin is healing. This does not necessarily mean anything is wrong.
WHEN TO CONTACT CHRISTINE
If you notice increasing redness, worsening swelling, severe pain, significant drainage, spreading redness, fever or anything that concerns you, contact Christine or seek medical attention as appropriate.
THINGS TO AVOID
SWIMMING & SOAKING
Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, oceans and baths until the tattoo is fully healed.
SUN EXPOSURE
Keep your fresh tattoo out of direct sunlight. Do not apply sunscreen to a fresh or healing tattoo. Once fully healed, use a broad-spectrum SPF to help protect the tattoo and your skin.
FRICTION & PRESSURE
Avoid tight clothing, rubbing, scratching or anything that repeatedly presses against the tattoo while it heals.
SWEATING & EXERCISE
Avoid activities that cause excessive sweating or repeated friction against the tattoo during the early healing period.
PICKING & SCRATCHING
Do not pick, scratch, peel or pull at flakes or peeling skin. Allow the tattoo to shed naturally.
PRODUCTS
Do not use alcohol, peroxide, harsh soaps, exfoliants, fragranced products or other irritating products on the healing tattoo.
PETS & CONTAMINATION
Keep pets from licking, rubbing against or sleeping directly on the healing tattoo. Avoid unnecessary contact with dirty surfaces.
30-DAY HEALING TRACKER
Your tattoo will change throughout the healing process. Peeling, flaking, itching, dryness, tenderness and changes in colour or appearance can be normal as your tattoo heals.
WARNING SIGNS
INFECTION CAN OCCUR DURING THE HEALING PROCESS
Even with proper aftercare, an infection can occur at any point while your tattoo is healing. Bacteria can be introduced through everyday contact with airborne germs, clothing, surfaces, hands, contaminated water or other environmental exposure.
An infection can be alarming, but the presence of an infection does not necessarily mean that you or your artist did anything wrong. Healing takes place in a real-world environment, and exposure to bacteria cannot always be completely prevented.
What matters most is recognizing the signs and taking action. If you suspect your tattoo may be infected, contact a healthcare professional promptly for assessment and treatment. Antibiotics may be prescribed when medically appropriate.
Your health comes first. Please do not wait for symptoms to become severe before seeking medical attention.
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF YOU NOTICE:
- Redness that continues to increase rather than improve
- Increasing swelling or warmth after the first few days
- Severe or worsening pain
- Thick, yellow or green drainage
- Significant or foul-smelling discharge
- Red streaking extending away from the tattoo
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
- Any reaction that concerns you
SUN PROTECTION
KEEP IT OUT OF THE SUN WHILE HEALING
Fresh and healing tattoos should be protected from direct sunlight.
AFTER IT’S FULLY HEALED
Use a broad-spectrum SPF on your tattoo whenever it will be exposed to the sun. Consistent sun protection helps preserve the appearance of your tattoo and protects your skin.
TOUCH-UPS
Your tattoo is considered part of your skin, and every tattoo heals differently.
If you feel your tattoo needs a touch-up, please contact Christine to discuss your touch-up needs.
FREE TOUCH-UP WARRANTY
- Tattoos must be minimally healed for a minimum of 6 weeks before a touch-up can be assessed or performed.
- The free touch-up warranty is provided at Christine’s discretion.
- The warranty covers one complimentary touch-up session of up to 1 hour for adjustments that are reasonably determined to be related to the artist’s application.
- Signs of neglect, improper aftercare, picking, scratching, excessive sun exposure, or other client-related causes are not covered under the free touch-up warranty.
- The free touch-up warranty is valid for up to 6 months from the original tattoo appointment.
- After 6 months, any touch-up work will be charged at the current hourly tattoo rate.
Please allow your tattoo adequate time to heal before requesting a touch-up
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR HEALING?
Healing doesn’t always look the same from one tattoo to the next. Peeling, dryness, itching, changes in appearance and mild tenderness can all be part of the normal healing process.
If you have a question or concern about how your tattoo is healing, please reply directly to your appointment/aftercare email and Christine will be happy to help.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may indicate an infection or other medical concern, seek appropriate medical attention.
