FIRST 24 HOURS
- Leave the wrap on for the time your artist wrote on your card (usually 2–4 hours for plastic, 3–5 days for clear film).
- Wash your hands. Then wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and plain, fragrance-free soap. Use your fingers, not a cloth.
- Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Let it air-dry for 10 minutes.
- Some ink and plasma will weep out. That’s normal.
DAYS 2–14
- Wash 2–3 times a day. Then a very thin layer of unscented lotion. Thin. It should not shine.
- It will flake and itch. Do not pick, scratch or peel. Slap it gently if you have to.
- No swimming pools, lakes, hot tubs or baths. Short showers are fine.
- Keep it out of the sun. Arizona sun fades new ink fast. Cover it with loose clothing.
- Sleep on clean sheets. Wear clean, loose clothes over it.
WEEKS 2–4 AND AFTER
- Keep moisturizing once a day until the shine is gone and the skin feels normal.
- Once healed, use SPF 30+ on it every time it sees sun. Forever.
- Book your free touch-up any time in the first 90 days if a spot healed light.
CALL A DOCTOR IF: redness keeps spreading after day 3, it gets hot or very swollen, you see pus or red streaks, or you get a fever. Then call us at (602) 555-0148 so we know.
General aftercare guidance for a fictional studio; not medical advice.






