Tattoo Aftercare: Taking Care of Your New Tattoo

October 22, 2025
Back to Blog

You just got tattooed. Your artist covered it with a bandage before you left. Now the real work starts.

Aftercare isn't complicated, but it matters. A lot. Take care of your tattoo properly and it'll heal clean. Skip steps or do it wrong and you risk infection, ink loss, or scarring. We see people mess this up all the time. Don't be one of them.

Here's everything you need to know.

What Type of Bandage Do You Have?

Before you do anything else, figure out what's covering your tattoo. Your aftercare depends on which bandage your artist used. Two types. Different instructions for each.

Clear Adhesive Film (Saniderm or Tegaderm)

This is a medical-grade adhesive film. Looks like clear plastic wrap. Protects your tattoo from dirt, friction, and bacteria.

How long to leave it on:

    • 48 hours minimum

    • Don't mess with it during this time

What you'll see:

    • Fluid accumulating under the film

    • Could be a little. Could be a lot.

    • This is normal. It's your blood plasma mixed with some tattoo pigment.

    • Don't panic when you see it.

If your bandage leaks:

    • Gently wipe away excess fluid

    • Push it out toward an edge to release it

    • Use a paper towel to absorb it

    • Toss the paper towel

    • Your bandage should seal back up

If the film won't stay put:

    • If your tattoo is exposed, remove the film immediately

    • Don't wait until you're somewhere clean

    • Exposed tattoo is worse than removing the film early

Water during these 48 hours:

    • Showers are fine

    • Keep them short

    • No swimming

    • No baths

    • No soaking

Traditional Bandage (Black or Blue)

Standard medical bandage. Held on with tape.

How long to leave it on:

    • Overnight

    • Don't lift it to check on things

    • Don't try to replace it

    • Just leave it alone

What you'll see:

    • Fluid weeping through

    • Some bleeding is normal

    • Could be a little. Could be a lot.

    • This is your blood plasma and tattoo pigment

    • Don't worry about it

Before you remove it:

    • Make sure you can wash your tattoo in a clean place

    • Bathroom sink works

    • Shower is better

    • Don't remove it at a gas station bathroom

Both bandage types do the same job. They protect your fresh tattoo while your body starts the healing process. Follow the instructions for whichever one you have and you'll be fine.

Removing the Bandage

This is where people get nervous. Removing the bandage can feel intimidating, especially if it's your first tattoo. Don't stress about it. Just do it carefully and you'll be fine.

Wash your hands first. Thoroughly. With soap. This is important. Your tattoo is an open wound right now. Clean hands prevent infection.

Removing Clear Film

Do this in the shower. Makes everything easier.

    • Find an edge of the film

    • Pull it back over itself

    • Roll it off slowly

    • Don't pull upward (that hurts more)

    • Let warm water help release it

Removing Traditional Bandage

Also best done in the shower.

    • Let warm water flow over the bandage

    • Give it time to soften

    • Your skin stuck to it overnight

    • Never pull a bandage off dry

    • That can damage your new tattoo and hurt like hell

The stuck-to-the-sheets problem:

Your tattoo might weep overnight. Fluid can stick your bandage (or your bare tattoo) to your sheets or pajamas.

If you wake up stuck:

    • Don't just rip the sheets off

    • Soak the stuck area with lukewarm water

    • Wait until the fabric is damp enough to pull free with zero effort

    • Then remove it gently

This applies any time during healing, not just the first night.

Once the bandage is off, move straight to washing. Don't let your tattoo sit exposed for long.

Washing Your Tattoo

Clean tattoos heal better. It's that simple. Washing removes excess ink, plasma, and bacteria that can cause problems. This is one of the most important steps in aftercare.

Right after you remove the bandage, wash your tattoo. While you're still in the shower is ideal.

The soap:

    • Mild and unscented

    • Liquid or foam soap works best

    • Unscented dish soap is fine

    • If you use bar soap, it needs to be brand new

    • Bacteria sits on bar soap between uses

What not to use:

    • Scented soap

    • Exfoliating soap

    • Anything with beads or scrubs

    • Anything with moisturizers added

The technique:

    • Use only your fingertips

    • Gentle pressure

    • Circular motions

    • Wash it multiple times

    • Your tattoo isn't clean until it stops feeling slippery

What not to use:

    • No cloths

    • No loofahs

    • No sponges

    • No washcloths

    • Just your clean hands

The rinse:

    • Warm water first to wash

    • Cold water for the final rinse

    • Cold water helps close your pores

Drying:

    • Pat dry with a fresh, clean towel

    • Don't use a bath towel you've been using for days

    • Bacteria builds up on towels

    • Paper towels work too

Going forward:

    • Wash your tattoo once a day in the shower for the first 2-3 days

    • After that, regular daily showers are fine

    • Keep showers short

    • Always pat dry, never rub

Get into a routine with this. Same time every day. Makes it easier to remember and keeps your tattoo consistently clean.

Moisturizing

Keeping your tattoo moisturized is crucial, but timing matters. Too early and you trap moisture. Too late and your skin cracks. Finding the right balance is key.

Your tattoo probably won't need moisturizing right away. Give it a day or two after removing the film.

When to start:

    • Wait until your tattoo feels tight

    • Or itchy

    • Or starts to look flaky

    • That's when it needs moisture

What to use:

    • Any unscented lotion

    • Light consistency

    • Nothing heavy or thick

    • No petroleum-based products (Vaseline, Aquaphor)

    • No Neosporin

How much:

    • Small amount

    • Thin layer

    • A little goes a long way

    • Seriously, don't overdo it

How often:

    • A couple times a day as needed

    • When it feels tight or dry

    • Not on a schedule

The over-moisturizing problem:

This is a big one. People think more is better. It's not.

Heavy, thick creams suffocate your tattoo. They trap moisture. They slow healing. They can make scabs soggy and gooey. Not what you want.

Use a small amount of light, unscented lotion. That's it.

After showers:

    • Let your tattoo dry out completely before applying lotion

    • This usually takes several hours

    • Air dry is best

    • Then moisturize if needed

Listen to your skin. If it feels tight or dry, add moisture. If it feels fine, leave it alone. Your body will tell you what it needs.

Scabbing and Peeling

Here's where people start to worry. Scabs form. Skin peels. Your tattoo looks rough for a bit. This is all completely normal.

Scabbing is a natural part of healing. Can't always be avoided. Your body is repairing the damage from the tattoo needle. That means scabs and peeling skin.

The size of your tattoo affects how much you'll scab. So does the nature of the work. Bold color work might scab differently than fine line. Your body chemistry plays a role too.

You might get light scabs. You might get thick scabs. You might not scab much at all. Everyone's different.

If you do get scabs:

    • The thicker the scab, the longer it takes to heal

    • Be patient

    • Let them do their thing

The Never List

Never pick at your scabs.

This is rule number one. Most important thing on this entire page. We see so many tattoos ruined by picking. Don't let yours be one of them.

When you pick at scabs:

    • You pull ink out along with the scab

    • You risk pitting in your skin

    • You risk scarring

    • You can permanently damage your tattoo

    • Don't do it

No matter how big, how small, how dark, or how ugly your scabs are. Don't pick them.

If You Have Thick, Heavy Scabs

Some tattoos scab heavier than others. If you end up with thick scabs, you need to adjust your aftercare slightly.

Don't apply lotion directly to these areas.

Use lotion around the scabs. Keep the scabs themselves dry.

When you smother a tattoo with lotion, moisture gets trapped. The scabs soak it up. They turn soggy and gooey. This makes them more likely to come off before they're ready.

Don't submerge your scabs in water.

Same problem. Scabs soak up water. They turn sticky and gooey.

In the shower:

    • Try to keep water contact minimal on scabbed areas

    • The more water that hits the tattoo, the more the scabs absorb

    • Quick showers are your friend

Be careful when cleaning and drying.

When you dry your tattoo:

    • Very gently pat the area

    • Check that scabs don't stick to the towel as you go

    • If they stick, stop patting and let it air dry instead

Watch out for clothing.

Big scabs catch on fabric easily. Be extra cautious when:

    • Putting on shirts, pants, socks

    • Removing clothing

    • Doing general day-to-day tasks

    • Moving around

Wear loose, soft clothing. Nothing tight or rough.

The stuck-to-sheets problem (again):

Your scabs can stick to bedding or pajamas at night.

If you wake up stuck:

    • Don't pull at the sheets

    • Don't try to separate them dry

    • Soak the stuck area with lukewarm water

    • Wait until the bedding is damp enough to pull free easily

    • Then gently remove it

Scabbing and peeling can take 1-2 weeks. Sometimes longer for bigger pieces. Be patient and resist the urge to help the process along. Your body knows what it's doing.

What to Avoid During Healing

Your tattoo is vulnerable right now. Certain activities can seriously mess up your healing process. Here's what to stay away from.

No Soaking

Water is fine for washing. Soaking is not.

Absolutely no:

    • Hot tubs

    • Swimming pools

    • Baths

    • Lakes, rivers, oceans

    • Any submersion in water

For the first 2-3 weeks minimum.

Showers are fine. Soaking is not. Submerging your tattoo in water softens scabs, introduces bacteria, and can pull ink out. Not worth the risk.

No Tanning

Your tattoo needs to stay out of the sun while it heals.

Don't:

    • Use tanning beds

    • Sunbathe

    • Apply sunscreen yet (it's too early)

Keep your tattoo out of direct sun for the first 2-3 weeks.

If you have to be outside, cover it with loose clothing. UV rays can fade fresh ink and slow healing.

Watch Your Clothing

What you wear matters during healing.

Avoid for several days:

    • Tight clothing

    • Rough fabrics

    • Anything that rubs against your tattoo

Your tattoo needs to breathe. Give it room.

Protect your nice stuff:

    • Don't wear your favorite light-colored clothing for the first 3 days

    • Don't sleep on your best sheets

    • Leakage happens

    • Ink and plasma can stain

Dark colors are your friend for the first week.

Don't Go on Vacation

Seriously. Don't get a tattoo right before a beach trip or ski vacation.

Your tattoo is a wound. Beach water has bacteria. Pool water has chlorine. Sun exposure fades fresh ink. Sand gets everywhere.

Plan your tattoos around your schedule. Not the other way around.

Skip the Gym

Your tattoo needs a few days off from intense physical activity.

Avoid for the first 3-5 days:

    • Strenuous exercise

    • Weight lifting

    • Running

    • Yoga

    • Any activity that makes you sweat heavily

Sweat introduces bacteria to your open wound. Gym equipment is covered in bacteria. Your body is working hard to heal your tattoo. Give it the energy it needs.

Light walking is fine. Intense workouts are not.

After the first few days, ease back into exercise slowly. If your tattoo starts feeling irritated or looks angry, back off.

Watch How You Sleep

Where your tattoo is matters for sleeping.

For the first few nights:

    • Try to sleep on the opposite side

    • Don't sleep directly on your fresh tattoo

    • If it's on your back, sleep on your side or stomach

    • If it's on your arm, don't pin it under your body

Pressure on a fresh tattoo can cause problems. It can make healing uneven. It can stick to your sheets. It can hurt.

Use old sheets or dark sheets you don't care about. Some leakage is normal for the first couple nights.

If You Get Swelling

Some swelling is normal, especially on lower extremities.

Lower extremities are particularly vulnerable. Feet, ankles, lower legs. Gravity works against you.

It's usually nothing to worry about, but it can be uncomfortable.

Treat it like a sprained ankle:

    • Ice

    • Elevation

    • Advil or Ibuprofen

    • Rest

    • Put your feet up for a while

If swelling gets worse or doesn't improve after a couple days, call us.

Most of these restrictions are temporary. A few weeks of being careful is worth a lifetime of good-looking ink.

Healing Timeline

Patience is part of the process. Tattoos don't heal overnight. Understanding the timeline helps manage expectations.

Overall healing takes 2-6 weeks. Depends on several factors.

What affects healing time:

    • Age

    • Lifestyle

    • Size of your tattoo

    • Location on your body

    • How well you follow aftercare

What to expect:

    • Bigger tattoos stay red and swollen longer

    • They cause more trauma to your skin

    • That's normal

    • Be patient

Surface healing:

    • Usually 2-3 weeks

    • Tattoo looks healed on the outside

    • Skin feels normal to touch

Complete healing:

    • Takes 4-6 weeks

    • Deeper layers of skin still healing

    • Even if it looks fine

Don't judge your tattoo until it's fully healed. Colors settle. Lines sharpen. What looks rough at week two can look great at week six. Give it time.

After It's Healed

Your tattoo made it through the healing process. Good work. Now you need to take care of it long-term if you want it to stay looking good.

Sunscreen. Always.

    • Use SPF 30 or higher

    • Every time you're in the sun

    • UV rays fade tattoos over time

    • Sunscreen keeps your ink looking good for years

This isn't optional. Sun damage is the number one reason tattoos fade prematurely. Protect your investment.

Keep moisturizing:

    • Not as often as during healing

    • But regularly

    • Especially if your tattoo is somewhere that dries out (hands, feet)

    • Keeps the colors vibrant

Dry skin makes tattoos look dull. Moisturized skin makes them pop. Simple as that.

Your tattoo is permanent, but how good it looks in 10 years depends on how you treat it now. Take care of it and it'll age well.

Signs of Infection

Most tattoos heal without problems. We've done thousands and serious complications are rare. But sometimes things go wrong. Know what to watch for.

Normal healing looks like:

    • Redness for the first few days

    • Some swelling

    • Tenderness

    • Clear or slightly colored fluid

    • Itching as it heals

Infection looks like:

    • Redness that gets worse after 48 hours

    • Warmth in the area

    • Swelling that increases instead of decreases

    • Significant pain

    • Pus (yellow or green discharge)

    • Red streaks spreading from the tattoo

    • Fever

If you see these signs:

    • Contact us immediately

    • Or see a doctor

    • Don't wait

Infections need treatment. The sooner you catch it, the better. Don't try to tough it out or hope it goes away on its own.

We'd rather you call with a false alarm than ignore something serious. That's what we're here for.

Questions or Problems?

Something doesn't look right? Not sure if what you're seeing is normal? Reach out. We've seen it all and we're happy to help.

We're here:

    • Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-6pm

    • Phone: 403-282-8181

    • In person at the shop

Closed:

    • Sundays

    • Mondays

    • Saturdays of long weekends

Email:

    • strangeworldtattoo.com

    • We check evenings and weekends

Don't hesitate to contact us if something doesn't seem right. No question is too small or too dumb. We want your tattoo to heal well just as much as you do.

The Bottom Line

Aftercare is simple. Not complicated. Just consistent.

Keep it clean. Keep it moisturized. Don't pick at it. Don't soak it. Give it time. That's really all there is to it.

Your tattoo is a wound. Treat it with care and it'll heal clean. Rush it or skip steps and you'll regret it.

We've been tattooing in Calgary for almost two decades. We've seen thousands of tattoos heal. The ones that look best are the ones where people followed instructions. Be one of those people.

Follow these instructions and you'll be fine.