Healing is part of the work.

Use this as a calm reference after your appointment. If anything looks or feels worrying, contact the studio or a medical professional.

Something looks wrong? Send a clear photo and a short description to the studio on WhatsApp before changing products or stopping aftercare. Early questions are always better than late problems. Message now →

Tattoo aftercare

Keep it clean, calm, and protected.

Wash your hands before touching the tattoo or bandage.
Follow the artist's timing for removing the initial covering.
Wash gently with mild fragrance-free soap and warm water.
Pat dry with a clean disposable towel. Do not scrub.
Moisturize lightly as advised by the artist.
Avoid picking, scratching, soaking, and direct sun while healing.
Wear loose, breathable clothing over the area.

Piercing aftercare

Leave it alone except when cleaning.

Wash your hands before touching the piercing.
Use sterile saline wound wash with 0.9% sodium chloride.
Dry gently with clean disposable gauze or paper product.
Do not rotate, twist, or play with the jewelry.
Avoid alcohol, peroxide, harsh soaps, and homemade salt mixes.
Avoid pools, hot tubs, and unnecessary friction while healing.
Sleep on a clean pillowcase and avoid bumping the area.

Healing timeline

What to expect, week by week.

Approximate ranges only. Healing depends on placement, your body, and how well aftercare is followed. The studio is the right place to ask if you're unsure.

Week 1

Tender and pink. Light fluid, scabbing, and slight swelling are normal. Stick closely to the cleaning routine.

Weeks 2–3

Itching and flaking begin. Tattoos may look dull as a top layer sheds. Do not pick. Piercings still need careful washing.

Weeks 4–6

Surface looks healed. Tattoos settle into final colour. Piercings usually still healing internally — be patient with jewelry.

Months 2+

Tattoos fully settled by ~2 months. Cartilage and navel piercings can take 6–12 months to fully heal. Ask before changing jewelry.

Normal versus concerning

Some healing signs are expected.

Redness, tenderness, swelling, itching, flaking, or light fluid can happen early. Worsening pain, heat, spreading redness, fever, or heavy discharge deserves professional advice.

Do not pick

Picking scabs or crust can delay healing and affect the final result. Let the body do its job.

Do not over-clean

Too much cleaning can irritate healing skin and slow the process. Twice a day is enough for most piercings.

Ask early

If something worries you, send a clear photo and description before changing products or stopping aftercare.

Care references

Built on reputable guidance.

This page is general guidance and not a substitute for medical care. Your artist or piercer may give placement-specific instructions that override this.

Sources

Healing question?

Send a clear photo and what changed.

Ask about aftercare