How to Care for a New Tattoo: Step-by-Step Guide
You've just got a new tattoo and you want it to heal perfectly and stay vivid for years. This is the practical, step-by-step guide to caring for a new tattoo.
A new tattoo is essentially an open wound. How you care for it in the first weeks determines healing speed, infection risk, and how sharp your design looks for the next decade. The good news: it isn't complicated.
The first hours
Your artist will cover the tattoo with cling film or a second-skin film. Leave it on for the time they tell you — usually 2-4 hours for film, 24-72 hours for second-skin. Don't rush to remove it: it protects the skin at its most vulnerable moment.
The first wash
When you remove the wrap, wash your hands thoroughly. Rinse the tattoo with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free, neutral soap, using your fingertips — never sponges or cloths. Pat dry with clean paper towel.
Moisturising: the key to everything
Apply a thin layer of Tiger Spit Tattoo Balm 3-4 times a day. The key word is thin: too much product suffocates the wound and traps bacteria; just enough lets the skin breathe while preventing dryness.
Avoid Vaseline, Aquaphor and petroleum-based creams — they create a seal that can trap bacteria and fade the ink. A natural, petroleum-free balm is far better for a wound that needs to breathe.
What to expect during healing
- Days 1-3: redness, mild swelling, some plasma. Normal.
- Days 4-7: thin scabs begin to form. Don't touch them.
- Days 7-14: peeling and itching, like a sunburn. Don't scratch — pat gently if it itches.
- Weeks 3-4: the surface is almost healed. It may look slightly dull: that's normal.
What NOT to do
- Don't pick scabs or peeling skin — you'd pull out unset ink and leave patches
- Don't expose it to the sun — UV fades and can blister a fresh tattoo
- Don't swim or soak in baths for 2-3 weeks
- Don't wear tight clothing that rubs the tattoo
- Don't over-moisturise
After healing: protect your investment
Once healed, your tattoo's biggest enemy is the sun. Apply SPF 50 on tattooed skin whenever you're exposed. Moisturise 2-3 times a week. For older tattoos, a monthly treatment with Ink Reviver helps keep the colour vivid.
Recommended products
For a complete routine, the Tiger Spit Tattoo Aftercare range covers every phase: Foam Wash to cleanse, Tattoo Balm to heal and moisturise, and Ink Reviver and SPF 50 for long-term care. All 100% natural, vegan, petroleum-free and fragrance-free.
Want the full phase-by-phase detail? Read our Complete Guide to Tattoo Aftercare. Sensitive skin? See our Tattoo Aftercare for Sensitive Skin guide.
