The First 24 Hours: What to Do Right Away
Getting a new tattoo is exciting — but what happens in the days and weeks after you leave the studio is just as important as the session itself. Proper aftercare protects your investment, prevents infection, and keeps your colours looking vibrant for years to come.
Your artist will cover your fresh tattoo with a bandage, or a second-skin film. Leave it on for the time they recommend — usually 2–4 hours for cling wrap, or up to 3 days for second-skin film.
When you remove the covering:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the tattoo.
- Gently rinse the area with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free soap.
- Pat dry with a clean paper towel — never rub.
- Apply a thin layer of aftercare balm.
Avoid re-wrapping unless your artist specifically instructs it.
Days 2–7: The Weeping and Redness Stage
In the first week, your tattoo is essentially an open wound. It's completely normal to experience:
- Redness and swelling around the tattooed area
- Plasma or ink weeping from the skin (this is normal — just keep it clean)
- Tenderness to the touch
- Itchiness beginning toward the end of the week
Your routine during this stage:
- Wash gently 2–3 times a day with a dedicated antibacterial tattoo wash — avoid regular soaps, which can contain fragrances and harsh detergents that irritate healing skin
- Pat dry with a clean paper towel — never rub
- Apply a thin layer of aftercare balm after each wash and whenever the skin feels dry or tight
- Wear loose, breathable clothing over the tattoo
- Keep it out of direct sunlight
Recommended products: Ink Nurse Foam Tattoo Wash , Mad Rabbit Tattoo wash or the Dr Pickles wash is perfect for this stage — its gentle foam formula cleanses without stripping the skin, helping prevent infection while supporting healing. Follow up with Hustle Butter Tattoo Balm to lock in moisture and soothe the skin.
Days 7–14: The Peeling Stage
Around day 7, your tattoo will start to peel — similar to a sunburn. This is completely normal and a sign your skin is healing.
The golden rule: do not pick or scratch. Pulling off peeling skin prematurely can lift ink from the dermis and leave patchy, faded areas in your tattoo.
Tips for this stage:
- Keep moisturising regularly — dry skin peels more aggressively
- If itching is intense, gently tap the area rather than scratching
- The tattoo may look dull or cloudy — this is temporary
- Continue avoiding sun exposure and swimming
Recommended products: Ink Nurse Lotion or the After Inked cream is excellent during the peeling stage — its light formula soothes itching and keeps the skin supple without clogging pores.
Weeks 3–4: Surface Healing Complete
By week three, the outer layers of skin have healed. Your tattoo may still look slightly cloudy or "milky" — this is the layer of new skin forming over the ink, and it will clear up on its own.
At this point you can:
- Return to most normal activities
- Swim briefly (though continued sun protection is still important)
- Ease back into exercise
Continue moisturising daily and applying SPF 50+ sunscreen ( Mad Rabbit sunscreen or Hustle Butter SPF) whenever the tattoo is exposed to the sun.
Months 2–6: Full Skin Healing
While the surface heals in 3–4 weeks, the deeper layers of skin take 2–6 months to fully settle. During this time, colours may continue to brighten and sharpen as the skin clears.
Long-term care tips:
- Moisturise daily to keep the skin healthy and ink looking vivid
- Always apply sunscreen over healed tattoos before sun exposure — UV is the number one cause of tattoo fading
- Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet to support skin health
Aftercare in the Australian Climate: What You Need to Know
Australia's heat, humidity, and intense UV index create some unique challenges for tattoo healing.
Heat and sweating: Excessive sweating can irritate a fresh tattoo and introduce bacteria. Try to avoid intense exercise, saunas, and hot environments for the first 2 weeks. If you do sweat, rinse the tattoo gently with cool water and reapply balm.
Sun exposure: Australia has one of the highest UV indexes in the world. Even on overcast days, UV radiation can damage fresh and healed tattoos. Keep new tattoos covered or shaded for at least 4 weeks, and use SPF 50+ sunscreen on healed tattoos year-round.
Swimming: Avoid pools, the ocean, and lakes for at least 3–4 weeks. Chlorine, salt water, and bacteria can all cause irritation, infection, and ink loss.
Summer tattoos: If you're getting tattooed in summer, plan your placement carefully — areas that are constantly exposed to sun or prone to sweating (like the inner arm or back of the knee) will need extra attention.
Signs Your Tattoo May Be Infected
Most tattoos heal without issue, but it's important to know the warning signs of infection:
- Increasing (not decreasing) redness and swelling after day 3
- Pus or thick discharge (not the thin plasma weeping of the first day or two)
- A hot, painful sensation that worsens over time
- Fever or chills
- Red streaks radiating from the tattoo
If you notice any of these signs, see a doctor promptly. Do not try to treat a suspected infection at home.
Products We Recommend for New Tattoo Aftercare
Here's a quick summary of our top picks for each stage of healing:
- Ink Nurse Foam Tattoo Wash — gentle antibacterial foam cleanser, ideal for the first week
- Dr Pickles Heal Pack- Has a wash and Balm for an economical price.
- Hustle Butter Tattoo Balm — rich and soothing throughout the healing process
- Mad Rabbit Complete Tattoo Aftercare Kit — everything you need in one kit, great for first-timers
Final Thoughts
Tattoo aftercare doesn't have to be complicated — clean it, moisturise it, protect it from the sun, and leave it alone. Follow these steps and your tattoo will heal beautifully and stay looking sharp for years to come.
Have questions about which aftercare products are right for your skin type? Browse our full aftercare range or get in touch — we're happy to help.