Over the past 30 years, the quality of tattoos has improved enormously, and with that, aftercare guidelines have also changed a lot. The old myths — like covering it in a thick layer of petroleum jelly and keeping it away from water at all costs — are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Many serious companies now develop products specifically designed for tattoo aftercare. Cleansers, creams, films — almost all of them meet modern standards, as long as they are used correctly.
Once your dream tattoo is finished, it’s up to you how you take care of it. If you’ve already spent a significant amount of money and endured hours under the needle, it would be a shame to ruin the result with poor aftercare.
The 3 Most Important Rules
Every tattoo requires slightly individual care, but the basics are simple: Keep it clean. Apply cream in a thin layer. Don’t scratch it.
Let’s go into a bit more detail:
Plastic wrap
When you leave the studio, your fresh tattoo will usually be covered in one of three ways, all intended to protect it from bacteria and external contaminants.
Plastic wrap- The most common solution is standard household plastic wrap. Used usually in large pieces. Pros: inexpensive and easy to get. Cons: the skin cannot breathe underneath it. If you don’t change it every 4–5 hours, moisture can build up, the tattoo can become overly saturated, and in extreme cases, infections may develop.
Absorbent pad (“diaper” wrap)- Just as the plastic wrap this method is usually used when the tattoo covers a bigger area on the body. Pros: absorbs moisture, so your fresh tattoo doesn’t sit in excess fluid. Cons: not practical for every body part.
Tattoo film (second skin)- A special adhesive film originally developed for burn victims. Your artist applies it, and you typically don’t need to do anything for 3–4 days. You get this usually when the tattoo is smaller, and it has finer details, with less discharge. Pros: flexible, waterproof, and breathable. No cream is needed underneath — your body naturally produces fluids that support healing and skin regeneration. Cons: more expensive and not always easy to purchase. Sekond skin, Dermalize, Suprasorb, TattooMed, Tegaderm.
How long your tattoo needs to stay covered depends on its size, placement, and level of detail. A small, fine-line tattoo may only need to be wrapped for one night, while a larger, colored piece may require covering for 2–3 nights.
The first night is especially important because while sleeping, you can’t watch it. The surface may still be slightly moist and sticky, and your pajamas or bedding can easily stick to it. Removing fabric from a fresh tattoo in the morning is unpleasant and can damage the healing skin. Without protection, you’ll likely stain your sheets as well.
During the day, wrapping is generally not recommended. If necessary, change the wrap every 4 hours using the following steps: remove the old wrap, clean the tattoo, let it air dry briefly, apply a thin layer of cream, then cover with fresh wrap.
Cleaning
After removing the wrap, you need to clean your fresh tattoo thoroughly. No special product is required — you can use your regular cleanser, preferably a pH-neutral soap or shower gel with minimal fragrance.
Wash away all residue: (blood, ink, ointment, plasma). During the first few days this can feel uncomfortable because the skin is sensitive, but it’s worth it. Cleaning your tattoo properly — even several times a day — will help it heal faster, more smoothly, and with fewer complications.
Larger, colored tattoos often involve more trauma to the skin, so they may stay sticky longer. If this residue isn’t cleaned properly, scabbing may occur, which can negatively affect the final result and cause uneven healing.
Az első 2 héten az otthoni gyors zuhanyzást részesítsd előnyben, a fürdőkádban történő ázást, medencézést, szaunázást 2 hétig kerüld.
Creams
There are many creams specifically developed for tattoo aftercare. These products have been refined over many years, and you can safely use any reputable brand. Examples include H2ocean, Inkness, TattooMed, Pegasus, TattooGoo.
One of the most common general aftercare products (especially locally) is Bephanten. It is available as cream, ointment, or Plus. The ointment is the thickest and greasiest, making it harder to apply in a thin layer. The cream and Plus versions are lighter, and the Plus contains a mild antiseptic ingredient.
Whichever product you choose, always apply it with clean hands and in a thin layer. Applying too much cream can oversaturate the skin, which may slow healing and cause problems.
We recommend using aftercare cream 2–3 times daily for 10–14 days. After that, if needed, switch to a regular body lotion to keep the skin hydrated.
One uncomfortable part of healing is itching, which can vary in intensity. Be strong — do not scratch or pick at the healing skin. In the early stages, it’s very easy to damage the newly forming skin layer, which can lead to wounds and patchy healing.
Sun Protection
If you want your tattoo to stay vibrant and beautiful for years, protect it from UV rays. Sun exposure damages both your skin and the tattoo pigments. Use sunscreen with the highest possible protection — SPF 50+ is recommended.
If you follow these guidelines, you’ll hopefully end up with a perfectly healed tattoo that you can enjoy for 20–30 years. After that, a small touch-up or refresh might be needed — but that’s another story...