Tattoo Aftercare
Getting the tattoo is only the first step, aftercare plays a HUGE role in how sharp and vibrant your tattoo heals.
We work with skin day in/out and understand that not everybody heals the same way. With our combined 20 years of tattoo experience we've put together our best practice for tattoo aftercare.
Consider this the holy grail of aftercare wisdom just hungry to help you heal that tattoo!
Immediate Aftercare
24/48 Hours
Think of this period as an open wound. You wouldn't rub moisturiser into a cut on your knee, so let's not do it with your new tattoo!
THE FIRST 24/48 HOURS AFTER GETTING YOUR NEW TATTOO PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN HOW WELL IT HEALS.
During this time it's important to keep it covered with a protective barrier, such as cling film, puppy pad or second skin. This covering shields the area from bacteria and helps prevent infection and irritation.
Your artist will have wrapped your tattoo and provided an aftercare plan before leaving the studio. Each aftercare plan depends on the tattoo, artist or customer.
Each of these methods work slightly differently so please refer to your advised aftercare method below.
Aftercare Methods
Not every artist or customer uses the same aftercare plan. Your artist will have recommended their preferred method based on their experience and the work you have had done.
Cling Film
The classic. Clingfilm is a trusted go-to for many artists. Suitable for all tattoos, it offers reliable protection straight after your session, lets the skin breathe between changes but needs changing throughout the day.
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Puppy Pad
Now hear us out, this one’s a secret hero! If you’ve had heavy work done or have sensitive skin, puppy pads are a great option for protecting the tattoo—soaking up excess residue and keeping irritation at bay.
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Second Skin
Second skin is the tattoo industry’s favourite hack. Unlike clingfilm, it’s breathable with an adhesive layer that can be applied directly to a fresh tattoo—protecting it without the need for constant changes.
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Cling Film
- If you have left with cling film on, then it is very important to ensure the tattoo is kept very clean and dry under the wrap.
- We recommend washing and changing the cling film approximately every 4 hours. I.e; morning, lunch, late afternoon, evening.
- When cleaning the area, remove the cling film and give the area a good rinse with lukewarm water. For best results, use in conjunction with ‘Ormis Tattoo; Whipped Soap Tattoo Wash’.
- Simply lather a small amount up in your hands before proceeding to gently massage the tattoo in
a circular motion. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry with some kitchen roll & allow to air for 10 minutes or so.
- Once the area is completely clean and dry, reapply NEW cling film only. (You do not need to use cream in the initial stages of healing).
- Please continue to wrap the tattoo in cling film for 3 nights in bed, and 2 or 3 days. Making sure you are cleaning, drying, and re wrapping the area every 4-5 hours. We recommend allowing the area to air for about 10 minutes or so each time unless you have been advised otherwise.
- If you can’t allow time to air (for example, you are at work) then feel free to just ensure it is completely dry and re wrap it.
- If you can’t access somewhere to rinse it clean, then please use baby wipes to freshen the area and apply fresh clingfilm until you are able to rinse it properly.
Puppy Pads
- If your artist has wrapped your tattoo in a puppy pad you will either be advised to keep it on until the next morning or you will have been given a second pad for changing it that evening.
- When you take the puppy pad off, use the shower to give the tattoo a good rinse clean, making sure you have successfully removed any build up or residue. For best results, use in conjunction with ‘Ormis Tattoo; Whipped Soap Tattoo Wash’.
- Simply lather a small amount up in your hands before proceeding to gently massage the tattoo in a circular motion. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry with some kitchen roll & allow to air for 10 minutes.
- Follow this by applying either a second puppy pad or cling film or second skin (whatever your artist has instructed).
- Please continue to keep your tattoo clean & covered with the advised method for up to 2 days following your appointment.
- Do not apply more than one of these options at the same time.
Second Skin
- Your artist may put on a second skin film on your tattoo.
- Follow your artists' advice on how long to leave this on.
- In some cases your artist may tell you to change this the following morning. Alternatively you may have been told to leave it in for 3-4 days.
REMOVAL:
- To remove, using clean hands find a corner and gently peel from there. Do not pull it like a wax strip.
- Wash the tattoo using warm water, making sure you clean off any gunky residue. You can use a mild unscented soap, we recommend ‘Ormis Tattoo; Whipped Soap Tattoo Wash’.
- Pat the tattoo dry with kitchen roll. Leave to air for 5-10 minutes.
APPLICATION:
- If you’ve been told to put on another layer of second skin, or are applying second skin following a pad, make sure the tattoo is clean and dry.
- With clean hands, peel the paper backing of the second skin.
- Apply to the tattooed area, making sure to leave an inch border around the tattoo. Remove the top layer following the direction of the arrows. This will leave a thin film on the skin.
- For larger tattoos this is easier to apply in smaller sections which can be overlapped.
- Leave this on for 3-4 days. After this don’t apply any more.
- Please note you may get a build up or fluid or an ‘ink sack’ underneath. This is normal, don’t panic.
Healing, Pealing & Scabbing
Week 1
Once you've passed the first 48 hours your tattoo should have settled down past the open wound status. This is when your body begins to heal & your tattoo will dry and start to flake. Don't worry, this is normal & whatever you do, DON'T PICK!
YOU'VE MADE IT PAST THE DANGER ZONE, NOW'S TIME TO SETTLE INTO THE HEALING.
- After the first few days, your tattoo will settle into the healing stage. You may notice some warmth, tenderness and there may be slight swelling or bruising visible on the skin. Don't threat. This is all part of the process and your body is working to protect the area.
- Around day 3/4 you'll start to notice dry, flakey skin and potentially some scabbing. The flakey skin is your bodies way of removing the old damaged skin, and making way for the new tattooed skin. Much like when you get sun burn!
- We know it can be tempting, but don’t pick or scratch — this can affect how your tattoo heals and how it looks long term.
- Keep things simple: wash your tattoo twice daily with a fragrence free; mild soap and allow tattoo to airdry or gently pat dry with kitchen role.
- Once dry, apply a thin layer of moisturiser or balm. When it comes to moisturiser, less is more. Overdoing it can irritate the skin, block pores creating spots and slow healing.
- Whilst your tattoo is still healing & pealing it's important you avoid direct sunlight exposure & submerging in water. Both of these things do not mix well with new tattoos and can effect the healed result.
Recovery, Fresh Skin & Itching
Week 2
Congrats, you made it to week 2 with no issues! This is when your tattoo will start to look/feel healed. The dry skin will have flaked off & your almost ready to look upon your new tattoo in all it's glory.
YOU’RE INTO WEEK TWO — THINGS ARE CALMING DOWN, BUT THE HEALING ISN’T OVER JUST YET.
- By now, most of the peeling should be coming to an end, though your tattoo may still feel dry or itchy. Don’t panic. This is completely normal. While the surface of the skin looks settled, the deeper layers are still repairing and regenerating beneath the tattoo.
- If the itch kicks in, resist the urge to scratch. Instead, gently tap or slap the area to take the edge off without damaging the skin.
- Keep applying a small amount of fragrance-free moisturiser daily to help support healing and keep the skin comfortable.
- At this stage it's easy to forget that your tattoo is still sensitive, so continue avoid direct sun exposure & submerging in water — fresh tattoos don’t mix well with UV rays & swimming.
- Stick to loose, breathable clothing and keep friction to a minimum.
Not everything loves your tattoo
Things to Avoid?
Avoiding certain activities during the healing process helps prevent complications and ensures the best long-term result.
OUR ABSOLUTE AVOID LIST DURING ANY STAGE OF THE HEALING PROCESS. WE DON'T MAKE THE RULES, WE'RE JUST THE MESSENGER!
- Swimming – Pools, lakes, and the sea introduce bacteria and chemicals that can lead to infection and disrupt healing.
- Bathing / Jacuzzi – Long soaks soften the skin, increase infection risk, and can cause ink to leach from a fresh tattoo.
- Sun Beds – UV exposure from sun beds can damage healing skin and lead to fading or patchy results.
- Direct Sunlight / UV Exposure – Fresh tattoos are extremely sensitive to UV rays, which can burn the skin and permanently affect how the tattoo heals.
- Aggressively Washing – Scrubbing with flannels or shower puffs can damage fragile healing skin and pull ink from the tattoo.
- Scratching / Picking – Picking scabs or scratching can cause ink loss, scarring, and uneven healing.
- Gym – Excess movement, stretching, and sweating can irritate healing skin and encourage bacteria buildup, even under cling film or second skin.
- Leaving Uncovered – Fresh tattoos need protection; leaving them exposed during the first 48 hours increases the risk of irritation, contamination, and infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can gently wash your tattoo a few hours after your appointment, once any wrap or second skin has been removed, using clean hands and lukewarm water. For precise cleaning instructions, please refer to the specific aftercare plan advised by your artist.
After you have passed the first 24/48 hour period, we recommend keeping it simple and washing your tattoo twice a day and apply a thin layer of moisturiser after each wash if required. Applying more than that can irritate the skin.
Yes, showers are fine, just keep them short and avoid hot water, heavy pressure, or letting the tattoo soak. Where possible, try and avoid shampoo and other fragranced cleaning products running over the tattoo whilst washing.
Excessive redness, heat, swelling, pus, bleeding scabs, worsening pain, or feeling unwell can all be signs something isn’t right.
If you notice any of these symptoms please consult your doctor.
If you suspect an infection, contact your artist and seek medical advice as soon as possible — don’t try to treat it yourself.
For most infections, your GP will prescribe an antibiotic to clear the infection.
Use a mild, fragrance-free, antibacterial soap to keep the area clean without irritating healing skin. We recommend ‘Ormis Tattoo; Whipped Soap Tattoo Wash’ created by our artist Lauren Gabb.
Most tattoos heal on the surface within 2–3 weeks, but the deeper layers can take up to 6–8 weeks to fully settle.
Avoid swimming, hot tubs, and baths for at least 2–3 weeks. Soaking a fresh tattoo too early can draw out ink, soften healing skin, and increase the risk of infection.
Contact
To enquire about a tattoo or piercing please use the below contact form and we'll get back to you.
Please include ALL of the the following details: Style, Placement, Size (in CM), Colour or Black/Grey