Tattoo Aftercare: Lifestyle Habits, Best Products + FAQ

Just like dramatic shifts in your hairstyle or makeup routine, new tattoos can make you feel refreshed and inspired. There's certainly an odd pressure to pick the perfect design and find the best artist out there due to the permanent factor—but, you too are in control of how your tattoo turns out.

Some tattoo artists will apply a clear adhesive wrap over your tattoo, also casually referred to as a “second skin,” bandage. You’ll want to keep this wrap on anywhere from one to five days, not exceeding the latter unless your artist tells you otherwise. 

“Although keeping it covered will help to keep it from drying, keeping it covered for a prolonged period can contribute to an overgrowth of natural bacteria and result in irritation or infection,” board-certified dermatologist Elliot Love, D.O. tells mbg.

The range depends on the type of tattoo you get, your artist's recommendation, and personal preference—as the bandage can become annoying when it starts to peel up.  

Once your one to three days is up, it’s time to remove the bandage. Gently peel it off and use a washcloth to remove excess adhesive. Then, you’ll need to clean it—but not with just any soap. 

“​​When cleaning your tattoo, it’s best to use the following: lukewarm water and an unscented, mild liquid soap,” professional tattoo artist at Atelier Eva in Brooklyn, New York Pilar Zurita tells mbg.

This means you should set aside your highly fragranced body wash and skip the exfoliants for now. Stick to something gentle like Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castille Baby Unscented Soap. 

Be extra delicate when cleansing the skin and let it air dry (Zurita’s recommended method) or dab it with a clean towel if necessary.

Here’s the big misconception: Petrolatum jelly isn’t the best product to lather on a fresh tattoo. “Mineral oil or petrolatum jelly is essentially suffocating to the skin, so it won't allow the tattoo to breathe,” Zurita says. 

“You do need areas, like cuts, scars, and burns, to eventually breathe and get air so they can start the healing process,” she adds. Not only that, but these occlusive jelly products can actually pull up the ink on fine-line tattoos.

Plus, it’s not exactly environmentally friendly, which is enough of a reason to avoid its use: "Mineral oil is petrochemical derived, meaning it's environmentally irresponsible to use mineral oil when there are vegetable and fruit oils, like coconut oil, that are more sustainable," says clean cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline about the ingredient.

Instead, look for lightweight, unscented lotions or products specifically formulated for this purpose, like the Mad Rabbit Soothing Gel or Mad Rabbit Unscented Tattoo Balm Stick. 

Another common misconception: You should start using SPF right away. See, this is only half true—you should use sunscreen on your tattoo, but only after it’s fully healed (read: about a month). 

“Sunscreen is either mineral or chemical, and either can irritate the tattoo,” Zurita notes. So while you should apply it elsewhere on the body, avoid the tattoo area specifically.

We know, this sounds like a lot of work just to ensure your tattoo heals properly—but trust us, it’s worth it. Neglecting these simple guidelines can wreak havoc on your ink and your skin. 

So how long does it take for your tattoo to heal? The answer isn’t black and white. Healing time can change depending on the size and location of your tattoo—fine-line artwork tends to heal faster than tattoos with loads of shading, for example.

“Healing times also can differ from person to person depending on their body's ability to heal itself,” Love adds.

But generally speaking, Love says your tattoo should be healed within a week or two. You’ll know your tattoo is still actively healing if it’s shiny, peeling, raised, or you find the area gets irritated easily. 

When you get a new tattoo, leave the clear bandage on for at least one day. After that, cleanse the area with unscented soap and hydrate the skin with a fragrance-free lotion, aftercare product, or botanical hydrator like coconut oil or shea butter.