Aftercare Guide

How to heal
your tattoo.

How you treat your tattoo in the first two weeks decides how it looks for the next thirty years. This is the routine we give every client at Soul Patch. Follow it and your piece heals clean, sharp, and saturated.

The First 24 Hours

Your artist sent you home with either a breathable bandage (like Saniderm or Tegaderm) or a wrapped piece of plastic film. The instructions depend on which one.

If you have a Saniderm or second-skin bandage

  • Leave it on for 24 hours minimum. It can stay up to 3-5 days as long as it's still sealed and not leaking.
  • Some plasma and ink will collect under the bandage. That's normal, not infection.
  • To remove: peel slowly under warm running water in the shower, edge first, in the direction of hair growth. Never rip.
  • After removal, wash gently and switch to the Days 2-7 routine below.

If you have plastic wrap

  • Leave it on for 2-4 hours, no longer.
  • Wash hands thoroughly. Remove the wrap and throw it away.
  • Wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and unscented mild soap, using only your fingertips. No washcloth, no scrubbing.
  • Pat dry with a clean paper towel. No fabric towels, they hold bacteria and lint.
  • Let it air dry 5-10 minutes, then apply a thin layer of unscented aftercare ointment.

Days 2 Through 7

This is the wet, sore stage. The tattoo will feel like a sunburn, look slightly puffy, and ooze a small amount of clear or slightly tinted plasma. All normal.

  • Wash 2-3 times a day with lukewarm water and unscented mild soap. Fingertips only.
  • Pat dry with a clean paper towel.
  • Moisturize lightly after each wash with an unscented aftercare lotion. Thin layer, just enough to make the skin look hydrated. Globbed-on ointment suffocates the tattoo.
  • Wear loose, breathable clothing over the area. No tight waistbands, no fabric that sticks.
  • Sleep on clean sheets. Change pillowcases more often than usual if the tattoo is on your face, neck, or arm.

Days 7 Through 14: The Peeling Stage

The skin starts to flake and peel like a sunburn. You may see colored bits coming off, that's the top layer of dried ink and dead skin, not your tattoo falling out. The fresh tattoo underneath will look slightly dull during this phase. It comes back to full color once healing is complete.

  • Continue washing once or twice a day.
  • Moisturize whenever the area feels tight or itchy.
  • Itching is normal. Slap, do not scratch. A firm slap relieves the itch without damaging the healing skin.
  • Do not pick, peel, or pull at any flakes. They'll come off when they're ready.

Days 14 Through 30

The surface is healed but the deeper layers of skin are still rebuilding. The tattoo may still feel slightly raised or sensitive. Continue light moisturizing and start protecting from the sun.

Long-Term Care

A well-cared-for tattoo stays sharp for decades. Two simple rules cover most of it.

  • Sun is the enemy. Once fully healed, apply SPF 30 or higher to any tattoo that gets sun exposure. UV breaks down ink faster than anything else.
  • Stay hydrated and moisturized. Healthy skin holds ink better. Drink water, use lotion, take care of yourself.
  • Avoid sustained heavy abrasion (climbing harnesses, weightlifting straps, etc.) directly on a tattoo while it heals fully.

Things That Wreck a Healing Tattoo

  • Soaking. No swimming, hot tubs, baths, ocean, or river for at least 2 weeks. Showers are fine, baths are not.
  • Direct sun. Cover up or stay in the shade for the first 2-4 weeks.
  • Picking and scratching. Both pull color out and cause patchy healing.
  • Scented products. Anything with fragrance, alcohol, or harsh chemicals (most body washes, perfumes, lotions) irritates fresh ink.
  • Shaving the area until fully healed.
  • Heavy drinking in the first 24-48 hours. Alcohol thins blood and can affect early healing.
  • Working out hard in the first few days, especially if it stretches or rubs the tattooed area.

What Products We Recommend

Brand doesn't matter much, what matters is that it's unscented and gentle. A short list of what works:

  • Soap: Dove unscented, Cetaphil, or any fragrance-free liquid hand soap.
  • First-week ointment: Aquaphor, Hustle Butter, or A&D Original. Apply thin.
  • Daily moisturizer (week 2 onward): Lubriderm fragrance-free, Cetaphil cream, or anything unscented.
  • Long-term sun protection: Mineral sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher.

When to Call Us

Call the shop at 209.918.3753 if you see any of these:

  • Redness or swelling that gets worse after the first 48 hours
  • Yellow or green discharge (clear plasma is normal, pus is not)
  • Fever or chills
  • Spreading rash that goes beyond the tattoo
  • Severe pain that gets worse instead of better
  • Any reaction that worries you, we'd rather hear from you than have you guess

Touch-Ups

Tattoos done at Soul Patch include a free touch-up within the first six months, as long as you followed aftercare. Healing varies by skin type, body location, and how well you protected the piece. If something didn't take perfectly, reach out and we'll get you back in the chair.

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