Tattoo Aftercare
FAQ — Tattoo care & healing
Here you’ll find basic guidelines for proper aftercare.
If you have questions during the healing process, or notice something that seems unusual, get in touch—and we’ll look at it together.
Follow these tips for the best possible healing and result.
Your skin is the surface I work on, and it needs to be in good condition. It makes a big difference to the final result.
- Avoid sun, UV exposure, and tanning beds for at least 15 days before your appointment.
- Exfoliate the area one week beforehand and keep your skin well hydrated—but don’t wax right before; let the skin rest.
- Avoid alcohol, aspirin, antihistamines, and very spicy food in the last 24 hours before your appointment.
- Don’t use numbing creams beforehand: they change how the skin behaves and can affect both the result and healing.
- If you don’t feel well—cold, fever, or general exhaustion—it’s better to reschedule.
- Arrive clean, relaxed, and in comfortable clothes (preferably something that can handle ink). Eat something about 2 hours before.
- If it’s your first tattoo, it’s recommended to start with a less demanding placement.
Aftercare is an important part of the work. Clean, well-cared-for skin heals best.
- Keep the area clean, dry, and protected—especially if you have pets or work in dusty/chemical environments.
- Avoid sun, tanning beds, and strong heat while healing.
- Don’t bathe in pools, the sea, sauna, or jacuzzi until the tattoo is fully healed.
- Avoid intense training or activities that cause sweating and friction.
- Don’t wear tight clothing over the tattoo—your skin needs to breathe.
- Once healed, moisturize regularly and always protect with high SPF.
- If something feels off, contact me before looking for advice online.
Healing usually takes 15–20 days. Even after that, the skin needs a few more months to fully settle.
In the first week, it’s normal to see some fluid, leftover ink, redness, and mild swelling. This should gradually go down.
For the first 48 hours, the tattoo is still an open wound. During this time, don’t use cream. Let the skin breathe and dry naturally—wash gently and keep it clean.
From day two, start this routine:
Wash your hands well before touching the tattoo.
- Wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, neutral soap, using only your fingertips.
- Pat dry gently with disposable paper—don’t rub.
- Apply a thin layer of tattoo-specific cream (available at the studio) or a fragrance-free moisturizer that isn’t tested on animals.
- Don’t overuse cream—too much moisture can slow healing and affect pigment.
- Don’t use Vaseline or old/expired creams.
- Keep it uncovered as much as possible. If you must cover it, use a paper dressing—never plastic wrap.
Take short showers during the healing period, always with lukewarm water, to avoid softening the skin too much.
If you’re unsure or notice anything unusual, contact me.
A medical film dressing can provide fast, hygienic, and comfortable healing. It’s breathable, waterproof, and hypoallergenic.
It’s not recommended for very sensitive skin or if you’re allergic to adhesive, and it may work less well in summer due to heat and sweat.
How it works:
- After the tattoo, the first dressing is applied and should stay on for 8–24 hours.
- Wash your hands well and remove the dressing gently in the direction of hair growth (lukewarm water can help).
- Wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and mild soap, pat dry with paper, and let the skin breathe for a few minutes.
- Apply the second dressing carefully, without stretching the skin.
- Remove the outer plastic layer so only the film remains on the skin
This dressing can stay on for 3–4 days. If it loosens, replace it or switch to cream healing. If it itches, lightly stroke over the film with a clean hand.
If irritation occurs, stop using it and switch to cream. Don’t use film dressing on infected tattoos.
Avoid training and physical activity for about 20 days.
Sweat, friction, and impact can disturb healing. Also, during exercise the skin constantly contracts and stretches, which puts stress on the wound and can lead to a worse result.
You can resume training when the skin is closed and there’s no visible discomfort.
No sun or tanning beds during healing. Even if the tattoo looks healed, the skin is still vulnerable under the surface.
Ideally, wait two months before direct sun exposure. When you do expose it to sun, use high SPF sunscreen, apply it according to the product instructions, and reapply as needed.
Good protection and hydration help your tattoo keep its colour and definition much longer.
Infections are rare, but they can happen—sometimes just from friction, moisture, or touching with unclean hands.
In the first days, mild oozing, redness, and warmth are normal. You should react if pain, swelling, or redness increases after 3–4 days, or if there’s pus, a bad smell, or fever.
See a doctor or dermatologist. You may need an antibiotic ointment. Keep the tattoo clean and dry, and only use the medication you’re prescribed.
A clean, cold compress can ease pain and swelling. Let me know as well, and I can guide you. (For medical concerns, always contact healthcare professionals.)
I offer a free touch-up within two months if needed.
Some tattoos and skin types naturally require more than one round—this isn’t a mistake, it’s a normal part of the process.
The guarantee does not cover:
- High-wear or difficult-healing areas (palms, feet, fingers, knuckles, elbows, knees, wrists, or Achilles tendon)
- Very dry or flaky skin
- Use of numbing creams or missing aftercare
- Text approved by the client with spelling errors (I’ve never had issues with this, but it’s important to mention)
- Skin that’s sunburned, affected by medical treatment, alcohol, or very spicy food before the tattoo
- If more than two months have passed since the appointment
Touch-ups outside the guarantee cover material costs only.
Every skin type is different, and that affects the final result.
- Oily skin can lead to thicker lines or dots.
- Dry skin can lose intensity in shading and fill.
- Sunburned or recently tanned skin holds pigment worse.
- Picking scabs, training too early, or not moisturizing can cause pigment loss.
- Alcohol, some medications, and spicy food can affect the skin.
- Numbing creams can change how pigment settles.
- Black ink turning blue/green over time often means poor sun protection.
- All colours soften slightly after healing—good maintenance matters.
Skin isn’t a canvas—it’s a living organ affected by health, climate, diet, and habits. I control the technique, but healing is a collaboration.
If a touch-up is needed, only material costs are covered. Good care creates tattoos that last and age beautifully.
javirolling.no@gmail.com
+47 939 55 113
Based at Inspirit Tattoo
Stavanger, Rogaland