10 Tattoo Aftercare Mistakes

Tattoo aftercare is just as important as getting the tattoo itself — arguably more so. A poorly healed tattoo can end up faded, patchy, or infected no matter how good the artist’s work was. These are the ten mistakes we see most often, and how to avoid them.

1. Exposing it to the sun

Over the years, the sun will fade and age your tattoo, but it does the most damage while the tattoo is still healing. A sunburn on a new tattoo can dry it out, cause blistering and bleaching, and form a heavy scab that fades the tattoo before it has even healed. Keep a fresh tattoo out of direct sunlight entirely, and once it’s healed, apply a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 before going out.

2. Using hot water

Washing your tattoo with lukewarm water is good for rinsing away blood and plasma, but never use hot water. Your skin will be extremely sensitive, and hot water will sting, increase swelling, and open your pores — which can leach ink out of your skin and make it easier for germs to get in. Keep showers short, and finish with cool water or a cold compress over the tattoo.

3. Re-bandaging

Don’t re-bandage your tattoo. Remove the original bandage when your artist tells you to — typically within a few hours of getting home — and leave it off. Wounds need airflow to heal properly. (If your artist used an adhesive healing film like Saniderm, follow their instructions instead.)

4. Over-moisturizing

Moisturizing is crucial for healing, but more is not better. Too much lotion can trap moisture and bacteria against the skin, and both over- and under-moisturizing can produce a thick, hard scab that cracks when you move. The right amount is a personal balance: apply a thin layer at regular intervals, and let each application absorb fully before adding another.

5. Scratching the itch

Your tattoo is a wound, and healing wounds itch. Don’t pick or scratch it, no matter how tempting — your hands carry dirt and bacteria straight to broken skin. If the itching gets bad, wash the area gently with an antimicrobial soap and apply a thin layer of moisturizer instead. Keep the area away from anything abrasive.

6. Soaking in the shower

Yes, you can and should shower with a new tattoo. It’s fine to get it wet, as long as you don’t soak it. Keep the tattoo out of the direct water stream, and if soap or shampoo runs onto it, rinse it off quickly. Baths and hot tubs are a different story: submerging a fresh tattoo can cause serious damage, so avoid them for two to three weeks.

7. Swimming pools, saunas, spas, and the sea

Skip the beach vacation for at least a month after getting inked. Seawater carries microbes, algae, and other contaminants that can cause serious infection in an open wound. Pools are no better — chlorinated water is harsh on healing skin and can trigger painful reactions. Saunas and spas should also wait two to three weeks.

8. Intense exercise and sports

Stay away from the gym and strenuous sports that cause heavy sweating for two to three weeks while your tattoo heals. Training too soon doesn’t just risk knocking or stretching the tattoo — it delays recovery and can compromise healing quality. If you must work out, choose activities that don’t stress or rub the tattooed area.

9. Picking at scabs and peeling skin

A few days in, the skin over your tattoo will start to peel and may form light scabs. This is a normal part of healing — let it all fall off by itself. Picking scabs can pull ink out of the skin, damage the design, and open the door to infection. And always wash your hands before touching the tattoo.

10. Wearing tight clothing

Skin is very sensitive in the days after getting inked, so don’t wear tight clothing over the area. Tight fabric sticks to seeping plasma, stains your clothes, and smudges the tattoo. It can also tear off freshly formed scabs when you undress, and the trapped warmth and moisture make an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. Wear loose clothing that lets the tattoo breathe until it’s healed.

Anyone considering a tattoo should know proper aftercare. Next, read our vegan tattoo aftercare guide or our 16 surprising tattoo facts.