Tattoo Aftercare Instructions — The Complete Healing Guide

Clean your tattoo gently with fragrance-free soap 1–2 times daily, pat dry, and apply a thin layer of fragrance-free, fast-absorbing cream 2–3 times daily. Avoid soaking, sun exposure, and picking. Most tattoos reach surface healing in 2–4 weeks; full skin recovery takes up to 6 months. The right product from day one makes a measurable difference to colour retention and healing speed.

Ink Nurse makes two products for the healing phase: Foam Nurse Tattoo Soap Wash (fragrance-free cleansing) and Ink Nurse Remedy Cream — available in 100ml and 500ml pump. Both are Australian made and endorsed by the Australian Tattooists Guild.

Day 1–3: The fresh wound phase

• Keep the wrap on for the time your artist recommended (typically 2–24 hours for cling film; up to 5 days for second-skin film such as Tattoo Wrap Pro)
• Once removed, wash gently with Foam Nurse Tattoo Soap Wash and lukewarm water
• Pat completely dry with a clean paper towel — never rub
• Apply a thin layer of Ink Nurse Remedy Cream 2–3x daily
• Do not re-wrap unless your artist specifically advised it

Day 4–14: The peeling phase

• Continue washing and moisturising 2–3x daily
• Expect light flaking and itching — this is normal
• Do not pick, scratch, or peel — this pulls ink and causes scarring
• Avoid soaking: baths, pools, ocean, and long showers
• Keep out of direct sunlight

Week 3–4: The settling phase

• Surface looks healed but deeper skin layers are still recovering
• Continue moisturising daily with Ink Nurse Remedy Cream
• Introduce SPF 50+ once the surface is fully closed
• Avoid tight clothing or friction over the tattoo site

What to avoid throughout healing

• Fragranced lotions or body wash on or near the tattoo
• Petroleum-based products (Vaseline, Bepanthen) — occlusive, trap heat
• Excessive moisture — thin layers only, 2–3x daily
• Direct sun without cover for the first 4 weeks
• Scratching or picking at any stage

Best for / Not ideal for

Ink Nurse Remedy Cream is best for: all skin types during tattoo healing, including sensitive, eczema-prone, and reactive skin. Fragrance-free, alcohol-free. Available in 100ml and 500ml pump.

Not ideal for: use over broken or infected skin without medical advice. If you suspect infection, see a doctor before continuing any topical product.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I moisturise my new tattoo?
2–3 times daily is the standard recommendation. Over-moisturising (more than 3x daily or applying thick layers) can suffocate healing skin and slow recovery.

Can I use any fragrance-free moisturiser?
Most general moisturisers — even fragrance-free ones — are formulated for intact skin, not open wound healing. A product specifically formulated for tattooed skin accounts for the compromised skin barrier and ink settling process.

My tattoo is peeling. Should I put more cream on it?
Yes, but thinly. Peeling means the outer skin layer is shedding — this is normal. Keep the area hydrated to ensure peeling is gradual and gentle rather than thick and ink-pulling.

When can I go swimming?
Wait until the tattoo is fully surface-healed — typically 4 weeks minimum. Ocean water and chlorinated pools both carry infection risk and can pull ink from healing skin.

My tattoo looks dull and cloudy — is that normal?
Yes. A milky or dull appearance during weeks 2–4 is a normal part of healing as new skin forms over the tattoo. Colour clarity returns as healing completes, typically by weeks 4–6.

Do I need to use a second-skin film wrap?
Tattoo Wrap Pro is an alternative to cling film for the initial wrap phase. It creates a sealed, breathable environment that reduces early weeping and contamination risk. Ask your tattoo artist what they recommend for your specific tattoo.

How long until my tattoo is fully healed?
Surface healing: 2–4 weeks. Full cellular healing: up to 6 months. Colour settles most noticeably between weeks 4–8.

What if I run out of cream partway through healing?
Do not substitute with petroleum-based products or fragranced lotions. Use the most minimal, fragrance-free, alcohol-free cream available and resume Ink Nurse Remedy Cream as soon as possible.

→ Read the full Tattoo Care Bible | Shop Foam Nurse Wash | Shop Remedy Cream 100ml | Shop Remedy Cream 500ml