Proper healing is a very important part of the final result. Even a well-made tattoo needs careful care during the first days, so please follow the recommendations and stay in touch with your artist if you have any questions.
FIRST 6 DAYS — COMPRESS
After the session, an absorbent pad is placed over the tattoo.
If the session ended during the day, the first compress should be changed in the evening before bed. If the compress was applied late in the evening, it can be changed the next morning.
Then, for 6 days, the compress is changed 2 times a day — morning and evening.
Use regular absorbent disposable pads for the compress. You can buy them at a pharmacy, Walmart, and other large stores. Medical pads for people and absorbent pads for pets are both suitable — the main thing is that they are clean, disposable, and absorb moisture well.
HOW TO CHANGE THE COMPRESS CORRECTLY
- Carefully remove the old pad.
- Thoroughly wash the tattoo with comfortable-temperature water and fragrance-free soap. Do not use scented products, so you do not provoke irritation or an allergic reaction.
- Very gently, without scratching or strong rubbing, wash away all accumulated plasma and mucus from the skin surface. The tattoo should remain clean.
- Carefully pat the skin dry with a clean disposable paper towel. Do not rub the tattoo.
- Apply Bepanthen Plus cream, mixed approximately 1:1 with regular Vaseline. Spread the mixture evenly over the entire tattoo surface.
- Apply a new clean absorbent pad. It should fully cover the tattoo and extend about 10 cm beyond its edges to protect the whole area well.
- Secure the compress well so it does not shift and protects the tattoo from dirt and friction.
During the first 6 days, the tattoo stays under the compress except for the time needed to change it and clean the skin.
SHOWER
When changing the compress, you may rinse the tattoo in the shower, but do not soak or steam the skin for a long time.
Do not take a hot bath, go to a pool, sauna, or steam room. Just gently rinse the tattoo, pat it dry with a clean disposable towel, apply the healing product, and make a new compress.
WHILE SLEEPING
To avoid accidentally shifting the compress while sleeping, you can additionally wear clean loose clothing — for example, a T-shirt or loose pants depending on where the tattoo is located.
The clothing should not press hard on the tattoo or rub it.
WHAT NOT TO DO IN THE FIRST DAYS
During active healing, try to protect the skin as much as possible:
- do not drink alcohol;
- avoid heavy physical activity;
- avoid heavy sweating whenever possible;
- do not steam or soak the tattoo;
- do not itch or scratch the skin;
- do not pick scabs;
- avoid friction and contamination of the tattoo.
AFTER 6 DAYS
After the first 6 days, the compress is no longer required.
However, the tattoo is still healing, so it is important not to let the skin become very dry or cracked.
Continue applying Bepanthen Plus in a thin even layer about 4–5 times a day or as needed, based on the condition of the skin.
Pay special attention to areas where the skin constantly moves, bends, and stretches: near the elbow, shoulder, knee, and other joints.
If peeling or a small scab appears, do not pull it off or pick it yourself. It should come off naturally.
After another 5–6 days, when the active healing stage is over, you can switch from Bepanthen Plus to a regular neutral moisturizing cream without irritating ingredients. This lets you keep the skin moisturized without constantly using a more expensive product.
IMPORTANT
Do not rely only on the number of days — everyone's skin recovers at a different speed.
Watch the condition of the tattoo and always stay in touch with your artist. If you are unsure whether healing is going normally, it is better to send a photo and ask right away.
If you notice pronounced or increasing redness, strong swelling, increasing pain, an unpleasant smell, pus-like discharge, fever, or other unusual symptoms, seek medical help.
Healing is half of the tattoo result.
Proper aftercare affects how well the pigment stays, how quickly and neatly the skin recovers, and whether a correction will be needed later.
Take care of your tattoo and follow the aftercare recommendations strictly.