Take care of your ink.
Your tattoo is a wound healing on living skin. How you treat it in the coming weeks determines how it looks for the rest of your life. These instructions are what we stand behind.
Before you leave the studio
Your artist will cover your fresh tattoo with a protective wrap — either a thin film bandage (second skin) or a traditional wrap with plastic film. Both serve the same purpose: to protect the open skin from bacteria and friction during the first hours.
Leave it on for 24 to 72 hours. You can shower with it on. If fluid pools under it that's normal — it's plasma and ink. Remove it in the shower under warm running water, peeling slowly from one corner. Do not rip it off dry.
Remove it after 2 to 4 hours. Wash gently with clean hands and unscented soap. Pat dry with a clean paper towel — never rub.
What to expect, day by day
Tattoo healing happens in stages. Knowing what's normal keeps you from panicking — and from interfering too early or too late.
Tender and weeping
The tattoo is an open wound. It may ooze clear or slightly coloured plasma, feel warm to the touch, and appear red around the edges. This is normal. Wash twice daily with unscented soap, apply a thin layer of unscented fragrance-free moisturizer.
Peeling begins
The surface skin will begin to flake and peel — similar to a sunburn. The ink may look faded or patchy underneath. Do not pick or scratch. Let it fall off on its own. Moisturize 2–3 times a day.
Cloudy phase
Most of the peeling is done but the tattoo might look hazy or milky. A thin layer of dead skin is still sitting over the ink. This is normal and will clear. Keep moisturizing, avoid prolonged sun exposure.
Surface healed
The top layers of skin have healed. The tattoo should look vibrant and clear. The deeper layers of skin continue to settle for up to 3 months — this is when the true final result becomes visible.
Full healing complete
The deeper dermis layers have healed and the ink has fully settled. This is the result that will stay with you. If anything looks off — contact us.
What to do, what to avoid
The difference between a tattoo that ages beautifully and one that fades or blurs often comes down to the first two weeks of aftercare.
- Wash with clean hands and unscented soap
- Pat dry with a clean paper towel
- Apply a thin layer of unscented moisturizer
- Wear loose, breathable clothing over the tattoo
- Keep it out of direct sunlight
- Stay hydrated and eat well
- Sleep on clean sheets
- Contact us if anything looks wrong
- Pick, scratch, or peel flaking skin
- Submerge in water — pools, lakes, baths, hot tubs
- Expose to direct sun or tanning beds
- Apply sunscreen until fully healed
- Use heavily scented lotions or petroleum jelly
- Let pets near the fresh tattoo
- Exercise heavily for the first 48 hours
- Wrap tightly with non-breathable material
Recommended products
Less is more. A simple, unscented moisturizer is all you need. You do not need specialty tattoo aftercare products — most of them are overpriced and unnecessary.
Soap: Dove unscented, Cetaphil, or any mild fragrance-free liquid soap. Avoid antibacterial soaps — they're too harsh for healing skin.
Moisturizer: Lubriderm unscented, Aveeno unscented, CeraVe moisturizing cream, or Aquaphor in very thin layers. Apply just enough to keep the skin from feeling tight — a thick coat will suffocate the skin and slow healing.
If you wouldn't put it on a fresh cut, don't put it on your tattoo. Clean and simple wins every time.
Keeping your tattoo sharp for life
The work doesn't stop after two weeks. How you treat your tattooed skin over the years directly affects how the piece ages — whether it stays crisp and saturated, or fades and blurs.
Sunscreen is everything. UV is the number one enemy of tattoo ink. Once your tattoo is fully healed, apply SPF 50+ every time it will be exposed to sun. This single habit will add decades to the life of your work.
Moisturize regularly. Dry skin makes tattoos look dull. Keeping the skin hydrated keeps the ink looking rich. Make it part of your daily routine.
Maintain your health. Significant weight changes, poor diet, and dehydration all affect skin quality — which affects how your tattoo looks. Take care of the canvas.
Know the difference
Healing is not always pretty, but it should be predictable. Here's how to read what your body is telling you.
- Redness around the tattoo
- Mild swelling for first 1–2 days
- Clear or slightly coloured ooze
- Peeling and flaking skin
- Itching as it heals
- Milky or cloudy appearance
- Feeling warm to the touch
- Redness spreading beyond the tattoo
- Hot swelling that's getting worse
- Green or yellow discharge
- Fever or chills
- Raised bumps or hives
- Increasing pain after day 3
- Foul smell from the area
Send us a photo. We would always rather look at something that turns out to be nothing than have you wait on something that needs attention. Reach us at info@94hours.com or through Instagram.