On day 4 of your tattoo, expect scabbing and flaking, so continue gentle cleaning (2x daily with unscented soap), pat dry with paper towels, and apply a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer, avoiding over-moisturizing; crucially, do not pick or scratch, wear loose clothing, and avoid sun/submerging in water to prevent ink loss and scarring.
Days 2 - 5
Just like any cut or scrape, you will want to keep the area clean and avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals, dirt, bacteria, or germs. Apply aftercare lotion in a light layer 3 to 4 times a day, cleansing the area with soap and water before each application.
The tattoo will look dull and slightly cloudy. It can also be scaly or look shiny. The dead layer of skin will still be on it but will flake away naturally over a month or two until the skin completely regenerates to normal. The tattoo will only look beautiful and clear once the brand-new skin is at the surface.
How long does it take for the Tattoo to heal? If the tattoo is taken good care of the tattoo is healed after 4-7 days. It takes 2-3 weeks for the skin to feel normal and for the ink to settle completely 1 to 2 months.
Your Daily Tattoo Aftercare Routine
Apply the Aquaphor or Bacitracin 2-3 times a day (Remember, keep it light!) for the first 5-7 days or until your tattoo starts to flake/peel like a sunburn.
After the first 3-4 days the tattoo will begin flaking and you can switch to an unscented lotion. Like with the ointment, you want to rub the lotion in well and not apply too much. Do not pick at any flaking skin or scabs.
If you follow these skin care routine steps for a new tattoo, your beautiful new ink will heal much faster and more painlessly.
You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.
You have a rash or bumpy skin around your tattoo
If you notice a rash or lumpy, bumpy skin around your new tattoo, this could be something to worry about. Any itching that seems extreme, or rashes and cracked skin, could indicate infection.
Bepanthen is one of the most highly recommended tattoo aftercare products and is the go-to ointment for many tattoo artists and studios. Typically used as a nappy rash ointment, Bepanthen has been around for a long time, and its gentle formula is used to treat babies with irritated skin.
How Do You Tell if a Tattoo Isn't Healing Properly?
To keep skin from cracking, moisturize your ink after each wash and a few times throughout the day. This will also help keep tattoo peeling at a minimum. According to Glodny, newer recommendations for tattoos include the application of a "second skin" layer to your tattoo, which is kept on the tattoo for up to a week.
Stage Two – Tattoo Itchy and Flaking
This stage is infamous due to the dreaded itching. At this point in the process, the scabs are hard and well-formed, and a few of the smaller ones are probably ready to start flaking off. This is going to continue for around another week.
You should clean your new tattoo 2–3 times a day for the first two weeks. After that, you can reduce the frequency to once a day while still keeping it moisturized.
Yes, a $50 tip on a $300 tattoo is a good tip, falling slightly below the standard 20% ($60) but representing a solid 16.7%, showing appreciation, especially if you had a good experience; however, tipping $60-$75 (20-25%) is generally considered excellent for great service, so $50 is a respectable amount.
A $500 tattoo is typically a medium-sized piece, often around palm-sized or slightly larger (roughly 4-6 inches), but the actual size heavily depends on the artist's hourly rate (usually $100-$200/hour), design complexity, color, and location, allowing for 2-5 hours of work, potentially resulting in a detailed forearm piece or a smaller chest/back design, rather than a full sleeve.
Here's a handful of bad habits that are top of the list of things tattoo artists hate.
A $2000 tattoo can range from a detailed half-sleeve to a large, intricate thigh or chest piece, or even the beginning of a full back or sleeve, often taking multiple sessions and significant artist hours (8+ hours) for complex designs, but it depends heavily on the artist's skill, location, and the design's intricacy.
Not taking proper aftercare precautions could also contribute to patchiness; picking scabs off your new tattoo, swimming or submerging it in the bath, exposing it to UV rays while it's still in the early stages of healing could all lead to ink loss and patchiness.
After getting a tattoo, avoid picking or scratching it, submersion in water, tight clothing, and exposure to direct sunlight. Avoid harsh products, including scented soaps, petroleum jelly, and medicated ointments, unless your artist or dermatologist recommends them.
Moisturizing a new tattoo is a key step in the healing process. You'll want to begin soon after you get the tattoo done and continue moisturizing the skin three to six times a day for about three weeks.
Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage. So avoid doing that for at least two to three weeks. However, showering is perfectly fine, as long as you don't saturate your tattoo. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, wash it quickly with water.
No, $200 an hour is generally not considered a lot for a professional, experienced tattoo artist in 2025-2026, often falling into the standard or even lower-mid range, especially in major cities or for specialized styles like realism or fine-line work, though rates vary significantly by location, artist demand, and expertise. While some talented artists charge around $100-$150/hour, high-demand or highly specialized artists can easily charge $250-$300+ per hour.
Picking at scabs or using inappropriate skincare products can also compromise the healing process. Make sure to use products that are gentle and safe for fresh tattoos. People with compromised immune systems, smokers, or those with certain health conditions may experience slower healing times.
Examples of the main food to avoid include: