Proper tattoo aftercare protects your skin, supports healing, and helps maintain the look of your tattoo over time. Without proper care, tattoos can crack, peel, scab unevenly, or fade. Washing and moisturizing the tattoo regularly helps support healthy healing during recovery.

⏳ How long does healing take?

  • Most tattoos take about 2 weeks for the main healing process.

  • Fine-line tattoos may heal faster.

  • Highly saturated or heavily colored tattoos may take longer.

  • Follow your tattoo artist’s specific instructions for best results.


🧼 How to wash your tattoo

  • Remove bandage after 1-2 hours

  • Use unscented soap, such as:

    • Dial Gold

    • Dove

    • Dr. Bronner’s

  • Use your clean hands to gently wash the tattoo for about one minute.

  • Lather the soap in your hands first instead of applying it directly to the tattoo.

  • Rinse thoroughly and let it air-dry.

  • If you're in a hurry, gently pat it dry with a clean paper towel.

  • Avoid using regular hand towels on your healing tattoo.

  • Wash 1–3 times daily, depending on how dirty or exposed the area gets.

🧴 How to moisturize your tattoo

  • Lotion helps prevent dryness and discomfort. Your body heals the tattoo; lotion simply supports the process.

  • Apply unscented lotion 1–3 times daily.

  • Use a very thin layer. Your skin should not look shiny or greasy.

  • Suggested moisturizers:

    • Cetaphil

    • Lubriderm

    • Coconut oil, if tolerated

  • Specialized tattoo aftercare creams are optional and may cost more than regular lotion.

  • You may use Aquaphor or other petroleum-based products for the first few days but avoid applying them too thickly, as they can trap moisture. Follow your artist’s guidance on whether to use these products.

🚫 What to avoid while healing

Submerging your tattoo in water

  • Avoid swimming, baths, hot tubs, saunas, and other soaking activities until healed.

  • Keep showers relatively short.

  • Soaking can increase irritation and infection risk.

Direct sunlight

  • Keep your healing tattoo covered with clothing.

  • Avoid sunburn.

  • Don't apply sunscreen until the tattoo has healed.

  • After healing, use sunscreen to help prevent fading.

Re-bandaging

  • Don't re-bandage unless your tattoo artist instructs you to.

  • Incorrectly covering an unclean tattoo can increase infection risk.

Healing creams and antibiotic ointments

  • Avoid medicated creams and heavy ointments unless instructed by a healthcare professional.

  • If you suspect an infection, seek medical advice rather than trying to treat it yourself.

Scented soaps and lotions

  • Use fragrance-free products to reduce irritation and the risk of skin reactions.

Scratching, itching, or picking

  • Don't scratch, peel, or pick at scabs or flaking skin.

  • Let your skin shed naturally.

  • If it itches, gently pat the area or scratch the surrounding skin without damaging the tattoo.

Tight clothing

  • Wear loose, clean clothing.

  • Friction can irritate the tattoo, pull off scabs, and interfere with healing.

⚠️ When to seek medical help

  • Get medical advice if redness or swelling is worsening rather than improving.

  • Watch for spreading redness, increasing pain, pus, fever, or red streaks.

  • Don't assume these symptoms are part of normal healing.

Outside of normal healing, any concerns that your tattoo has resulted in complications, infection or disease should be reported to your artist or to:

Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE)
DDPHE Public Health Investigations 101 W Colfax Ave, Suite 800, Denver, CO 80202.
phicomments@denvergov.org
720-913-1311

It is required that the artist reports those conditions to the Department within 24 hours of discovery

The biggest takeaway: Keep your tattoo clean, moisturize lightly, avoid soaking and sun exposure, and let your skin heal naturally. Follow your artist's instructions, and seek medical care if you notice signs of infection.