Tattoo aftercare guide
How to heal color and black-and-grey realism so it stays sharp and vibrant. Your tattoo is an open wound for the first couple of weeks — treat it gently and follow these steps.
1 · Remove the wrap
Take a standard bandage off after 2–4 hours. For second-skin film, follow Oscar's timing (usually 24–72 hours), then peel it off slowly in a warm shower — never rip it dry.
2 · Wash gently
Wash with clean hands and lukewarm water using a mild, fragrance-free soap. Lightly remove any plasma or excess ink, then pat dry with a clean paper towel. Wash 2–3 times a day.
3 · Moisturize thin
Apply a very thin layer of a fragrance-free healing balm or unscented lotion. Less is more — too much suffocates the skin and traps bacteria. Moisturize a few times a day as it dries.
4 · Protect it
No sun, pools, oceans, hot tubs, baths, or sweaty workouts until healed. Wear loose, clean clothing. Don't pick or scratch scabs — let them fall off naturally.
Healing timeline
- Days 1–3: Redness, swelling, and oozing of plasma/ink is normal. Wash and lightly moisturize.
- Days 4–14: Flaking, light scabbing, and itching. Do not pick or scratch.
- Weeks 3–4: Surface looks healed; skin may feel tight or shiny. Keep moisturizing.
- Months 2–4: Deeper layers finish settling and final color/contrast shows.
What to avoid
- Direct sun and tanning until fully healed — then always use SPF to keep ink from fading.
- Soaking: pools, oceans, hot tubs, and baths. Quick showers are fine.
- Scratching, picking, or peeling scabs.
- Tight or dirty clothing rubbing the area, and heavy sweating/workouts early on.
- Over-moisturizing or thick fragranced products.
When to reach out
A little redness and swelling is normal. If you see spreading redness, heat, pus, or a fever, contact a doctor — those can be signs of infection. For questions about your specific piece, text the shop.
Common questions
How long does a tattoo take to heal?
The surface heals in about 2–3 weeks, but the deeper layers of skin keep settling for up to 2–4 months. Color and large black-and-grey realism pieces can take longer on the surface because more skin is worked.
When can I take the bandage off?
If Oscar applies a standard bandage, remove it after 2–4 hours. If he uses a second-skin/adhesive film, leave it on 24–72 hours per his instructions, then peel it off slowly in a warm shower.
Can I go in the sun or swim?
No. Keep the fresh tattoo out of direct sun, pools, hot tubs, oceans, and baths until it is fully healed (around 3–4 weeks). Soaking and UV are the two fastest ways to fade or damage new ink.
Is some scabbing and itching normal?
Yes. Light flaking, mild scabbing, and itching are part of healing. Never pick or scratch — let scabs fall off on their own to protect the color and detail.