Healing, day by day
Half of a tattoo happens in the chair, half while it heals. The timeline below is general guidance; your artist’s specific advice comes first.
- Day 0
Session day
Keep the wrap or film on as long as your artist says. After removing it, wash gently with clean hands, lukewarm water and unscented soap; pat dry with paper towel.
- Days 1–3
Tender phase
Mild redness, swelling and weeping are normal. Wash 2–3 times a day and apply a very thin layer of aftercare cream. Avoid tight clothing, pools, the sea and saunas.
- Days 4–7
Flaking
Light flaking and itching begin. Don’t scratch or pick; tap the area gently with a clean hand if it itches. Use less cream so the skin can breathe.
- Days 8–14
Peeling
The top layer peels and the tattoo may look cloudy — this is temporary. Keep moisturising and keep it out of the sun.
- Days 15–30
Surface healed
The surface is closed while deeper layers keep healing. Wait until week 4 for pools and the sea. Use high-factor sunscreen.
- Weeks 4–12
Touch-up window
The tattoo has settled. If you see gaps, send a healed photo; touch-ups within 3 months are free (sample condition).
If you notice increasing pain, spreading redness, fever or foul-smelling discharge, see a healthcare provider promptly and let us know.
Let us send reminders to your phone
Enter your session date; we’ll schedule SMS / email reminders for the first night, day 7 and touch-up time. After a studio session this is set up automatically.
Demo — no real messages are sent; scheduled messages appear in the studio panel inbox.
Healed? Let’s take a look together
After week 4, send a healed photo or drop by. Touch-ups within 3 months of the session are free (sample condition).
Book a touch-up