Tattoo Aftercare Do’s and Don’ts

Keep it clean, keep it moisturised, keep it out of the sun, and don’t pick it. Those four rules cover the majority of aftercare failures. Below is the full list — grounded in standard wound healing principles and the guidance provided to members by the Australian Tattooists Guild, of which Ink Nurse is a supporting member.

Ink Nurse makes two products designed for the healing phase: Foam Nurse Tattoo Soap Wash (fragrance-free cleansing) and Ink Nurse Aftercare Cream (fragrance-free moisturising). Both are Australian made.

✅ Do

• Wash gently with a fragrance-free, pH-neutral soap — such as Foam Nurse Tattoo Soap Wash — 1–2x daily
• Pat completely dry with a clean paper towel before moisturising
• Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free, alcohol-free cream 2–3x daily
• Wear loose, breathable clothing over the tattoo to minimise friction
• Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight for the full 4-week surface healing period
• Apply SPF 50+ every time the healed tattoo is exposed to sun
• Change your pillowcase more frequently during the first week
• Stay hydrated — systemic hydration supports skin healing
• Follow your artist’s specific instructions where they differ from general guidance

❌ Don’t

• Pick, scratch, or peel — at any stage. This is the single most common cause of ink loss and scarring
• Soak in baths, pools, the ocean, or long showers for the first 4 weeks
• Apply fragranced lotions, body wash, or perfume on or near the healing tattoo
• Use petroleum-based products (Vaseline, Bepanthen) — occlusive base traps heat and is not designed for open wound healing
• Apply too much cream — thin layers only, 2–3x daily maximum
• Re-wrap after the initial wrap period unless your artist specifically advised it
• Exercise heavily with direct friction or sweat over the tattoo in the first 2 weeks
• Expose to direct sun without cover for the first 4 weeks
• Use someone else’s aftercare product from an opened container — cross-contamination risk

Best for / Not ideal for

These guidelines are best for: standard tattoo healing in healthy adults. They represent general best practice, not medical advice.

Seek medical advice if: redness spreads beyond the tattoo after day 3, you develop a fever or chills, you see green or yellow pus, or pain is intensifying rather than reducing after the first 48 hours. These are potential signs of infection.

Frequently asked questions

I picked my tattoo by accident. What do I do?
Keep the area clean and moisturised. Avoid picking further. If the area looks raw or inflamed, see a doctor. Some ink loss may occur but early intervention with correct aftercare can limit the damage.

Can I have a shower with a new tattoo?
Yes — brief showers are fine from day one. Avoid directing the shower stream directly onto the tattoo with high pressure, and keep it short. Soaking (long showers, baths, pools) is what to avoid.

My artist said to use Bepanthen. Should I?
Bepanthen is a longstanding artist recommendation, largely from habit rather than formulation-specific reasoning. It is safe to use but was designed for intact skin. If you prefer a product formulated specifically for tattoo healing, Ink Nurse Aftercare Cream is an alternative endorsed by the Australian Tattooists Guild.

When can I go back to the gym?
Light exercise from week 2 is generally fine. Avoid anything that causes heavy sweating directly over the tattoo, tight clothing friction, or contact with shared equipment over the healing area for the first 2 weeks.

Can I go in the ocean?
Not until the tattoo is fully surface-healed — typically 4 weeks minimum. Saltwater and sand both carry bacteria and abrasive particles that increase infection risk on healing skin.

Is it okay to let the tattoo air out without cream?
Brief periods without cream are fine. What to avoid is the skin drying out to the point of tightness or cracking. Consistent 2–3x daily application prevents this.

→ Read the full Tattoo Care Bible | Shop Foam Nurse Wash | Shop Aftercare Cream