You should only use a paper towel to gently pat your tattoo dry, never rub, for the first 2-4 weeks while it heals, avoiding cloth towels due to bacteria and potential scab disruption; you can use a regular towel normally once the tattoo is fully healed (around 3-4 weeks), but always follow your artist's specific advice for best results.
3 months is wayyy past the no towels stage - once the motion of towel wipe poses no risk of catching and ripping off scabs, or otherwise cause abrasion to very thin fragile new skin, its fine to use towels. For me that's about at 3 week mark, even 2.5.
NEVER rub a wet tattoo with a washcloth, sponge, or towel when it is still in the healing stages. When the protective scab is wet it is at risk of being rubbed away, resulting in loss of ink. *Scabs will often form in the first few days. It is important not to pick the scabs or scratch the skin.
After 3 days, your tattoo should show reduced redness and swelling. It will appear slightly dry with a thin film forming over it. Some clear fluid and ink may still seep out, but significantly less than the first day. The colors will appear bright but may have a shiny, tight feeling.
I'd give 48 hrs usually before moisturising. Everyone's skin is different - some are more oily and some are dry. Clients can lose ink from over moisturising and starting too early - basically turning their tattoo into a swamp. Or leaving it and ignoring it so it gets too dry and cracks.
Apply a water-based lotion or cream to your tattoo to keep it moisturized — it's never a good idea to leave your fresh new ink susceptible to dryness. “Moisture will help the skin to heal faster and keep scabs from forming,” Dr. Sra says.
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.
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.
Days 1-3: Your tattoo will appear fresh but may feel tender, red, and slightly swollen. Days 4-7: Light scabbing begins to form, and itchiness may start on the tattooed area. Weeks 2-4: Scabs and flakes will naturally fall off. You'll notice a shiny layer of skin, indicating deeper healing.
Showering is fine, however, please DO NOT soak your tattoo for at least 2 weeks. This means no swimming, baths or submerging your tattoo in water for long periods of time. Avoid direct sunlight on your tattoo for at least 2 weeks and your tattoo is completely healed.
Once your tattoo stops oozing, which usually happens around days 5--7, you can reduce washing to once or twice a day. Washing too often can dry out your skin and slow down the healing process.
As your tattoo heals, wearing clothing over it becomes less risky, but timing matters. Typically, within two weeks, the healing process progresses to a point where clothing friction is less detrimental. Until then, prioritize loose, lightweight garments that won't cling tightly or rub harshly against your skin.
Pat, Don't Rub, the Tattooed Area
After showering, you'll need to dry off without disturbing your new tattoo. Avoid rubbing the area with a towel, which could remove scabs or irritate the skin, causing ink to fade. Instead, gently pat the tattooed area with a clean paper towel to avoid any unnecessary friction.
It is helpful to tape a loose non-fabric bandage or paper towel over your freshly medicated tattoo for the first 3 days. After a few days, your tattoo will begin to peel. Do not pick at the skin. Begin using a mild, white, unscented lotion, free of dyes or Perfumes.
Do not take a bath and fully submerge your tattoo for 3-4 weeks after getting a tattoo. The larger the tattoo, the longer we recommend you wait to fully submerge your tattoo in water. You should never submerge a new tattoo in water for any length of time directly following a tattoo.
Signs of a Tattoo Infection
Typical healing time is 7 to 14 days, although it can take a full month for the skin to be fully healed.
Most tattoos will scab in one way or another, and there are a few key things to keep in mind during this time. It is vital that you do not pick or remove any scabbing as this can cause damage and pull out the pigment. Your tattoo artist might suggest a certain lotion for you to use while your tattoo heals.
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.
Keep it up. Continue to clean and moisturise the tattooed area until it has completely healed (may take up to 4 weeks). Keep it up even after the scabs are gone. FYI, there may be scabs.
Artist-approved balms like Hustle Butter or After Inked, light lotions like Lubriderm or Aveeno, and gentle cleansers like H2Ocean are proven favorites. Avoid heavy petroleum, fragrances, and alcohol. With the right aftercare supplies, your tattoo will heal clean, vibrant, and long-lasting.