Tattoo Aftercare Guide
A great tattoo is a team effort. You sat through it — now here's how to make sure it heals the way it should. Follow these steps and your tattoo will look sharp for years to come.
The Basics
Leave the bandage on for 1–2 hours after your appointment
Wash gently with antibacterial soap 2–3 times a day for the first 3 days
Pat dry with a clean paper towel — never rub
Apply a thin layer of Aquaphor 2–3 times a day for the first 3 days
Switch to an unscented lotion for the following 2–3 days
Most tattoos fully heal in 7–10 days, though this varies person to person
What's Normal During Healing
Don't panic — most of this is completely expected:
Redness and tenderness
Normal for the first couple of days. It's a wound — your skin is doing its job.
Peeling and flaking
Totally normal around days 3–7. Let it peel on its own. Do not pick or peel it off.
Itching
Expected as the skin heals. Slap it lightly if you need relief — do not scratch.
Dull or cloudy appearance
The tattoo may look less vibrant while healing. That's the outer layer of skin doing its thing. The color will come back.
What to Avoid
No picking, scratching, or peeling — ever
No swimming, soaking in a bath, or hot tubs while healing
No direct sun exposure or tanning beds on the fresh tattoo
No petroleum-heavy products like Vaseline — use Aquaphor instead
No scented lotions, body butters, or anything with alcohol or fragrance
No tight clothing rubbing directly over the fresh tattoo
American Traditional tattoos are built to last — but how you treat your skin matters over time:
Sunscreen is your best friend. UV exposure is the number one cause of tattoo fading. Apply SPF 30+ whenever the tattoo is exposed to sun, even years later.
Moisturize regularly. Keeping your skin hydrated keeps the tattoo looking clean and vibrant.
Stay hydrated. Healthy skin holds ink better. Drink water.
Keeping It Looking Good Long Term
When to Reach Out
Contact a doctor if you notice:
Excessive redness, swelling, or warmth that gets worse after day 2
Pus or unusual discharge
Fever or chills
Red streaking around the tattoo
Reach out to Crispy directly if:
You're unsure if something looks right and want a second opinion
Your tattoo healed with a patchy spot or needs a touch-up
Questions? Reach out at chris@crispytattoo.com or call (319) 895-4071. Happy healing.
FAQs
How long does a tattoo take to fully heal?
1
Most tattoos go through the visible healing stage in 2–4 weeks, but the deeper layers of skin take closer to 3 months to fully settle. Your tattoo might look a little dull or patchy during that time — that's totally normal. Be patient with it.
Can I work out after getting a tattoo?
2
Give it at least 48 hours before hitting the gym. Sweating heavily on a fresh tattoo can introduce bacteria and irritate the healing skin. Avoid anything that stretches or rubs directly over the tattoo for the first week.
Can I go swimming?
3
No swimming, soaking in a bath, or hot tubs until the tattoo is fully healed — usually at least 3–4 weeks. Submerging a fresh tattoo is one of the fastest ways to ruin it.
When is it safe to go in the sun?
4
Keep your fresh tattoo out of direct sunlight for the first 4 weeks. After it's healed, always apply SPF 30+ before sun exposure. UV rays are the number one cause of tattoo fading over time — this goes for years after getting tattooed too.
My tattoo is peeling — is that normal?
5
Yes! Peeling and flaking around days 3–7 is completely normal. It's just the outer layer of skin doing its thing. Let it peel on its own — picking or pulling it off can pull ink out with it and leave patchy spots.
What's the difference between normal healing and an infection?
6
Normal healing looks like redness, tenderness, peeling, and mild itching in the first week. An infection looks like excessive swelling, oozing yellow or green fluid, a hot feeling that won't go away, or red streaks spreading from the tattoo. If something feels off, reach out — don't wait.
I got my tattoo at Crispy Tattoo in Mount Vernon, Iowa — do you do touch ups?
7
Yes! If your tattoo heals with any light spots or patchy areas, get in touch and we'll take care of it. Touch ups are part of the process — just make sure the tattoo is fully healed (at least 3–5 weeks) before coming back in.