Tattoo
aftercare.
The first two weeks, day by day. What to do, what is normal, and what to leave alone.
Keep it clean. Keep a thin layer of cream on it. Leave it alone. Your skin does the rest.
The routine.
-
Cleanse
Wash your hands first. Clean the tattoo with lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance free cleanser, using your fingertips only. Rinse well and pat dry with a clean paper towel.
-
Cream
A thin layer on clean, dry skin, two to three times a day. If you can see cream sitting on the skin, it is too much.
Your artist's own instructions always come first.
Day by day.
- Day 1Bandage onLeave the bandage or film on for as long as your artist said. When it comes off, wash your hands, clean the tattoo, pat it dry and apply a thin layer of cream.
- Days 2 to 3Red, warm, a little wetSome redness, soreness and clear fluid or ink on the surface are normal. Cleanse and cream two to three times a day.
- Days 4 to 7Tight and itchyThe skin dries and starts to flake, like after a sunburn. Do not scratch and do not pick. A thin layer of cream takes the tightness away.
- Week 2PeelingFlakes of coloured skin come off in the wash, and the tattoo can look dull or cloudy under them. That is normal. Keep the routine going.
- Weeks 3 to 4Settled on the surfaceThe flaking stops and the colour clears. The skin underneath is still recovering, so keep it moisturized and out of the sun.
Leave it
alone.
- SoakingNo baths, pools, hot tubs, lakes or sea until the skin has closed and stopped flaking, usually two to four weeks. Short showers are fine.
- SunKeep a new tattoo out of direct sun, and do not put sunscreen on it yet. Once it has settled, use SPF 30 or higher. Sun fades ink.
- PickingLet flakes and scabs fall off by themselves. Pulling them early can leave a patchy spot.
- Tight clothesWear loose, clean, breathable fabric over it, so nothing rubs or sticks.
- Petroleum jellyThe American Academy of Dermatology advises against petroleum-based products on tattooed skin. Use a water-based cream.
- Too much creamA thick layer keeps the skin wet. Thin is enough.
- Hard workoutsSkip heavy sweating for the first few days, and keep the tattoo off shared gym equipment.
Questions.
How long does a tattoo take to heal?
The surface usually settles in two to three weeks. The deeper layers of skin take a few months. Large pieces, and places that bend or rub, take longer.
How often should I wash a new tattoo?
Two to three times a day for the first two weeks, and any time it gets dirty or sweaty. Use lukewarm water, a gentle fragrance free cleanser and clean hands, then pat dry with a paper towel.
What should I put on a new tattoo?
A thin layer of a water-based, fragrance free cream. The Diem Aftercare Cream is matte, fragrance free and made without petroleum or essential oils.
How much cream should I use?
A thin layer, two to three times a day. If you can see cream sitting on the skin, it is too much. Blot the extra with a clean paper towel.
Is it normal for a tattoo to peel?
Yes. Around the end of the first week the top layer of skin flakes off, often with colour in it. The ink sits under that layer and stays where it is. Do not pull the flakes.
Why does my tattoo itch?
Itching comes with the skin drying and renewing itself, mostly between day 4 and day 14. Do not scratch. A thin layer of cream takes the edge off.
When can I swim?
When the skin has closed and stopped flaking, usually two to four weeks. If you are not sure, ask your artist.
Can I work out with a new tattoo?
Light exercise is fine. Skip heavy sweating for the first few days, wear loose clothes over the tattoo and wash it afterwards.
When to see a doctor
Some redness, soreness and flaking are part of the first two weeks. These are not.
- Spreading rednessRedness that keeps moving outward from the tattoo.
- More pain, not lessPain that gets worse after the first few days instead of better.
- Heat or feverSkin that feels hot to the touch, or a fever.
- Pus or a smellThick or coloured fluid, or a bad smell.
- Red streaksLines of red running from the tattoo toward the body.
- A bumpy rashRaised, itchy bumps on the tattoo can be a reaction to the ink.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Your artist's own instructions always come first.
Made for
these two weeks.
A gentle cleanser and a matte cream, both fragrance free. 10 g for a small tattoo, 25 g for a larger one.