HEALING GUIDE

The tips below will help ensure you have a smooth, comfortable healing process. We all heal differently, so, if you notice your tattoo healing a bit slower or more quickly than this timeline, that is totally normal. These numbered days are just a rough estimate. Your tattoo will heal in its own time, just the way it's meant to.

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DAYS 1-5

After most sessions, a medical-grade bandage (usually called second skin or tegaderm) is applied over the tattooed area. If this type of bandage isn't used after your session, a few extra tips are at the bottom of this page. When it comes to second skin bandaging - for the first few days, let your bandage do the work! Leave your bandage on for 3-4 days during this initial healing process. It's breathable and waterproof. You can wear clothes over it too. During this time, avoid vigorous exercise, sun exposure, and saunas. Just spend time relaxing. You don't want to sweat - this would trap sweat underneath the bandage which is not good for a new tattoo.

Small pockets of liquid (ink and/or plasma) may form beneath the bandage. This is totally normal. Leave them be. If you feel any discomfort or irritation, or if any soap, sweat, or dirt gets trapped between the bandage and your skin, you can remove the bandage early. Leaving the bandage on for 3-4 days is a luxury, not a requirement. Even if you remove the bandage just hours after your session, you should heal fine, as long as you keep the area clean by following the advice in this guide.

When you are ready to remove the bandage, remove it slowly. Usually two methods work best. First, hop in a warm shower to open up your pores. You can A) pull a corner of the bandage away from the bandage running parallel to your arm. This will stretch the bandage and the adhesive will comfortably lift off your skin. (The motion is similar to how a command strip for wall hooks works.) You can also B) pull the bandage back over itself in the direction of your hair growth. Pulling upward on the bandage (perpendicular to your skin) can be a bit uncomfortable.

After removal, use a mild, unscented, antibacterial soap to gently cleanse the area. If there is any adhesive still on your skin, that is okay. It’ll come off on its own. When you hop out of the shower, pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel (do not rub it). Then, spread a thin layer of a mild, unscented moisturizer over the tattoo. Massage it into your skin gently. Less is more. Don’t apply too much moisturizer - let the tattoo breathe. Always wash your hands before touching your new tattoo and, if it touches a dirty surface, be sure to wash it gently right away!

DAYS 5-7

Now bandage free, wash and moisturize your new tattoo twice a day - morning and night. We recommend simple, natural products to avoid any possible irritation from additives and strong, scented oils. As your tattoo heals, it may start to feel tight and itchy. You can apply witch hazel to soothe itching. Icing the tattoo can be soothing as well! (Just be sure to use a sanitary barrier between your ice pack and the tattoo - a clean paper towel will work just fine.) The tattoo will begin to peel like a sunburn. Bits of color may peel off. This is just a normal part of the healing process. As you gently apply moisturizer each day, small bits of peeled skin will naturally roll away under your fingers. A very important note - do not pick or scratch the peeling skin! This could result in ink loss. Allow it to come off naturally. At this point, exercise is okay. Sweating should not affect your healing, but of course this is a case by case scenario depending on each individual tattoo. After exercising, wash and pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. Then, moisturize. Wear loose clothing that covers your tattoo from the sun. Relax these few days. Allow your body to feel good and heal well.

AFTER DAY 7

Your tattoo will continue to peel, itch, and visibly heal until about day 14. Each person's body heals differently. Some more quickly, some take an extra day or two. Around week two or three or so, you may notice the tattoo seems faded. Not to worry! This is another part of the healing process. The tattoo is finding its home in your skin. The top layers of your skin will naturally settle as the healing process comes to an end and your tattoo will look vibrant and beautiful. It may take a full 6 weeks to fully settle, but after just 2-3 weeks your skin will feel like it’s normal self. From there, keep it protected! Tattoos age as your skin ages so applying sunscreen and moisturizer are crucial to keep your tattoo vibrant. 

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Healing with Non-Adhesive Bandaging

Step 1: Leave the temporary bandage on for 2-3 hours max (for plastic wrap bandages).


Step 2: Take the bandage off and wash the tattoo with unscented, mild soap, making sure to massage soap gently into the skin and cleanse off all the plasma and ink that may have gathered on the tattoo.

Step 3: With clean hands, gently pat dry (don’t rub) with a fresh paper towel, never a washcloth or cloth towel.

Step 4: If needed, pour witch hazel onto a new paper towel and pat lightly over tattoo to soothe the area.

Step 5: Apply a mild, unscented lotion to the tattoo. Just a light layer will do. Applying too much may suffocate the tattoo.

Step 6: Repeat Steps 2 through 5 twice a day - morning and night, for about two weeks.

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Additional Important Information

  • Do not scratch the tattoo if it becomes itchy! This could damage your new tattoo.

  • Tenderness, redness and swelling is very normal for the first few days after receiving your tattoo. If you at any point during the healing process have a fever, a red rash that can be itchy, excessive redness, oozing or blisters on the skin, please seek medical attention as soon as possible for a possible infection.

  • Do not submerge into any bodies of water, hot tubs, pools, personal baths, etc. for at least two weeks! Water can be full of bacteria that could cause an infection! Infections can be a serious risk to your health, and often damage the tattoo.

  • Don’t wear any clothes that can constrain or rub against the tattoo (tight clothing) for at least one week after your session.

  • Don’t let your pets or children touch the tattoo for at least one week.

  • Avoid excessive sweating, saunas, intense workouts, tanning or any other activities that may cause you to rub the tattoo or sweat a lot for at least one week after receiving the tattoo. You will irritate your new tattoo, increase the risk of infection, and possibly damage the art! If you do find yourself sweating anytime within the first few weeks after your session, be sure to properly cleanse the tattooed area immediately.

  • Avoid direct sunlight during healing, and, once the tattoo is fully healed, apply sunscreen diligently to the piece for optimal aging & longevity. Tattoos age as our skin ages, so incorporate tattoo skin care steps into your daily routine and your art will be as beautiful as can be for many years to come.

  • *Everything shared in this healing guide are general recommendations by Love and Lani Tattoo. None of these tips are set in stone and following this guide will not make or break a healing experience. These guidelines also only pertain to Love and Lani Tattoo, we cannot speak for other studios, artists or their policies. Love and Lani Tattoo is permitted to make tattoos, but will not provide any medical advice. If you have any questions about the healing process at any time, consult directly with your tattoo artist please, not scary Google or social media. If you have any medical based questions, including about a potential tattoo infection, consult directly with a doctor, not scary Google, social media or webmd.