Tattoo aftercare plan
Enter the day you get or got tattooed. You’ll get a plan with real dates that you can copy into your notes or calendar.
This plan is general guidance and does not replace medical advice. Your studio’s instructions come first. With strong redness, heat, pus or fever: see a doctor.
How long does a tattoo take to heal?
Most tattoos are healed on the surface after two to four weeks. Calm spots with good blood flow heal faster; hands, feet and joints take longer. The skin underneath keeps working for a few more weeks – which is why caution with sun, water and saunas lasts longer than the surface suggests.
Why no swimming pool or sauna?
While the skin is still open, germs from pool water can get in, and chlorine and heat irritate the fresh spot. Soaking for a long time also loosens scabs before they fall off on their own – and ink can come away with them. Showering is fine, just not long and not too hot.
Which ointment should I use?
The one your studio recommends. The amount matters more than the brand: a thin layer that soaks in, not a shiny coat the skin can’t breathe under. With strong redness, heat, pus or fever, the spot needs a doctor, not more ointment.