Looking after your new tattoo

You've got your new tattoo, now it's time to look after it!

How you care for your tattoo over the next few weeks plays a big part in how it heals and how it'll look in the years to come.

The good news is that tattoo aftercare is pretty simple. Keep it clean, don't overdo the moisturiser and give your skin time to heal.

There are two main ways we heal tattoos at Tommy Ruffs: traditional healing and second skin. Your artist will let you know which method they're using and talk you through anything specific to your tattoo.

Below is everything you need to know to get it healed up nicely.

01. Traditional Healing

Traditional healing is the more straightforward method. Your tattoo will be wrapped when you leave the studio, and after a few hours you'll remove the wrap and start looking after it yourself.

Removing your wrap

We'll wrap your tattoo before you leave the studio to keep it protected on your way home.

Unless your artist tells you otherwise, leave the wrap on for around 2–4 hours.

When it's time to take it off:

1. Give your hands a good wash.

2. Carefully remove the wrap and throw it away.

3. Give your tattoo its first wash following the instructions below.

You might notice a bit of blood, plasma or excess ink underneath the wrap. That's completely normal, so don't stress.

Once the wrap is off, leave it off. There's generally no need to wrap your tattoo again.

Washing your tattoo

This is probably the most important part of the whole process.

For the first 4 days, we recommend washing your tattoo morning and night, and any extra time it gets dirty or particularly sweaty.

Here's how:

1. Wash your hands first.

2. Use lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance-free liquid soap.

3. Gently wash the tattoo using your fingertips, removing any leftover ink, plasma or residue.

4. Rinse away all the soap.

5. Pat it dry with a fresh, clean paper towel.

That's it!

Don't scrub it, and avoid using a face washer, sponge or bath towel. Your hands are all you need.

Once you've dried it, give the skin a little time to air dry before putting any moisturiser on.

After those first four days, keep washing it daily until it's healed.

Moisturising

Keeping your tattoo lightly moisturised will help with the dryness and tightness that comes with healing.

You don't need anything fancy. A gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser is usually a good place to start.

You can also use a tattoo-specific balm, pure shea butter or plain coconut oil if you know your skin tolerates them.

The main thing is not to overdo it.

Apply a very thin layer with clean hands, just enough to lightly moisturise the skin. Your tattoo shouldn't look greasy or have a thick layer of product sitting on top.

If you're using shea butter or coconut oil, use these particularly sparingly, as they're a bit heavier than your average moisturiser.

Reapply when the skin starts feeling dry or tight. You don't need to constantly have moisturiser on it.

And if something stings, causes a rash or irritates your skin, stop using it.

Peeling and itching

After a few days, you'll probably notice your tattoo starting to dry out, peel or flake.

It might look a bit like peeling sunburn, and you may notice little flakes of skin coming away when you wash or moisturise it.

This is all part of the healing process.

Your tattoo might also get pretty itchy around this stage.

Whatever you do, don't pick or scratch it!

Pulling off scabs or peeling skin before it's ready can damage the tattoo and leave you with patchy areas or scarring.

Just let everything come away naturally.

Keep it clean, moisturise lightly when needed and try to leave it alone as much as possible.

02. Second Skin Healing

Second skin is a thin, clear adhesive dressing that goes directly over your fresh tattoo.

It's designed to keep the tattoo protected during those first few days of healing, without you needing to wash and moisturise it while the dressing is on.

It's a pretty convenient way to heal a tattoo, especially if you're busy or have a tattoo in an area that's difficult to keep protected.

There are a few things to know though.

How long do I leave it on?

Depending on the brand of second skin we're using and how your tattoo is healing, your artist will let you know how long to leave it on.

This can be up to 3–5 days, although some dressings need to be changed or removed earlier.

Always follow the timeframe your artist gives you.

While it's on:

• Leave it alone as much as possible.

• Don't pick or pull at the edges.

• Don't put moisturiser underneath or over the dressing.

• Avoid swimming, baths and soaking it.

• Try to avoid excessive sweating and friction around the area.

You might notice a pocket of dark-looking liquid forming underneath the dressing.

This is usually a mixture of plasma, excess ink and a little blood.

It can look pretty strange, especially if your tattoo starts looking blurry underneath, but it's generally nothing to worry about.

What if it starts peeling or leaking?

If the edges start lifting slightly but the tattoo is still completely covered and sealed, it may be fine to leave it.

However, if the dressing starts leaking, water gets underneath it or the tattoo becomes exposed, it's time to take it off.

Once that seal has broken, the dressing isn't doing its job properly anymore.

Also, if the adhesive is causing burning, blistering, significant redness or irritation, remove it.

Don't try to patch up a leaking dressing with tape or stick the same piece back down.

If you're unsure, send your artist a message.

Removing your second skin

The easiest way to remove second skin is in a warm shower.

The water helps loosen the adhesive and makes the whole process a bit more comfortable.

Here's how:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Let some lukewarm water run over the dressing.

3. Gently lift one corner or edge.

4. Slowly stretch the dressing back along your skin, keeping it close to the surface rather than pulling straight up.

5. Keep working your way across until it's all removed.

Take your time with this one.

Don't rip it off like a Band-Aid. Your skin is still healing underneath, and pulling too hard can cause unnecessary irritation.

If it's really stuck, let some more warm water run over it and keep working slowly.

Once it's off

After you've removed the second skin, give your tattoo a proper wash.

Use lukewarm water, a gentle fragrance-free soap and your fingertips to remove any leftover plasma, ink or residue.

Rinse it thoroughly and pat dry with a clean paper towel.

You might have a little adhesive left on your skin. Don't scrub at it or try to scrape it off. It'll generally come away with gentle washing over time.

Once your tattoo is clean and dry, you can start moisturising it.

Use a small amount of gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser or a suitable tattoo balm. Shea butter or coconut oil are also options if your skin tolerates them, but remember to keep the layer thin.

From here, follow the same general care as traditional healing.

Your tattoo might look pretty well healed when the second skin comes off, but there's still plenty happening underneath the surface, so don't get too carried away.

03. Things to Avoid While Healing

There are a few things we'd recommend staying away from while your tattoo heals, regardless of which method you're using.

Swimming and soaking

No swimming, baths, spas or saunas for at least 2 weeks, and longer if your tattoo hasn't completely healed.

That includes pools, beaches, rivers and hot tubs.

A fresh tattoo is still healing skin, and soaking it can cause irritation, introduce bacteria and affect the healing process.

Normal showers are fine. Just keep them relatively short and avoid blasting your tattoo with hot water.

Sun exposure

Try to keep your new tattoo out of direct sunlight until it's completely healed.

Fresh tattoos and sunburn are not a good combination.

Once it's healed, get into the habit of using SPF 50+ sunscreen whenever your tattoo is exposed to the sun.

Sun damage is one of the biggest reasons tattoos fade over time, so this is something worth keeping up long after your tattoo has healed.

Picking and scratching

We know we've mentioned this already, but it's worth saying again.

Don't pick your tattoo!

Even if a little bit of skin looks like it's ready to fall off, leave it alone.

Let your body do its thing.

Tight clothing

Try to avoid tight clothing that constantly rubs against your tattoo.

Loose, clean clothing is your best bet, particularly during those first few days.

Pay attention to things like waistbands, socks, bra straps or anything else that might be rubbing on the area.

Too much moisturiser

Your tattoo doesn't need to be covered in moisturiser all day.

A little bit goes a long way.

If the skin is constantly greasy or sticky, you're probably using too much.

Touching your tattoo

Try not to touch your tattoo unnecessarily, especially with dirty hands.

And as much as your pets might want to inspect your new artwork, keep them away from it while it's healing.

04. Exercise and the Gym

We know not everyone wants to take time off training, but we'd recommend giving yourself a few days to let your tattoo settle.

Ideally, avoid the gym, strenuous exercise and heavy sweating for the first 3–4 days.

It's not that a little sweat is going to ruin your tattoo. The bigger issues are friction, excessive moisture and exposing fresh skin to dirty surfaces or shared gym equipment.

After those first few days, you can generally start easing back into exercise if everything is healing normally.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Avoid exercises that rub or put pressure directly on the tattoo.

• Be careful with movements that stretch the skin around it.

• Keep your tattoo off shared gym equipment.

• Wear clean, loose clothing.

• Wash your tattoo afterwards if you've been sweating.

• If something hurts or irritates the area, give it a rest.

Bigger tattoos and areas around joints might need a bit more time.

Use a bit of common sense here. Missing a couple of workouts is better than causing problems with a tattoo you've just spent time and money getting.

05. What to Expect While Your Tattoo Heals

Everyone heals a little differently, and things like tattoo size, placement, skin type and how heavily the area has been worked can all make a difference.

But generally, here's what you can expect.

Days 1–3

Your tattoo is fresh, so it's normal for it to be a bit red, swollen or tender.

It might feel similar to mild sunburn.

You may also notice a little blood, plasma or excess ink during the first day.

This should gradually settle.

Days 4–7

Around this stage, your tattoo will probably start drying out and feeling a little tight.

You might notice some itching or the first signs of peeling.

Keep up your washing and moisturising routine.

Days 7–14

This is usually when most of the peeling happens.

Your tattoo might look a little dull, cloudy or patchy while the skin is coming away.

Don't stress too much about how it looks at this stage. It's still healing.

And remember, no picking!

Weeks 2–4

Most of the peeling should be finished, and the surface of your skin will start looking and feeling more normal.

You might still notice some shiny areas or slight differences in the skin texture.

Keep looking after it and give everything time to settle.

Weeks 4–6 and Beyond

By now, your tattoo will usually be looking much closer to its finished result.

The deeper layers of skin can still be recovering though, so complete healing may take longer than you think.

If you're wondering whether something needs a touch-up, it's best to wait until everything has properly healed before making that call.

06. When Something Doesn't Look Right

A bit of redness, swelling, tenderness and itching is normal with a fresh tattoo.

What we're looking for is that these things gradually improve rather than get worse.

There are a few signs that something might not be right:

• Redness that's spreading or getting worse.

• Pain or swelling that's increasing rather than settling down.

• Skin that's becoming increasingly hot or inflamed.

• Thick yellow or green discharge, especially if there's an unpleasant smell.

• Fever, chills or feeling generally unwell.

• Significant blistering, rashes or reactions to products or adhesives.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's best to get checked by a doctor rather than waiting to see if it improves on its own.

For rapidly spreading redness, severe pain or significant symptoms, seek urgent medical attention.

You're always welcome to send us a message if you're unsure about how your tattoo is healing. We're happy to have a look and offer some guidance, but anything that looks like an infection or serious reaction needs to be assessed by a medical professional.

07. Looking After Your Tattoo Long Term

Once your tattoo is healed, there's not a whole lot you need to do to keep it looking good.

A few simple habits will go a long way.

Moisturise your skin

Keeping your skin healthy and moisturised helps your tattoo look its best.

You don't need to do anything special here. Just use a moisturiser that works well for your skin.

Wear sunscreen

This is probably the biggest one.

The sun can do a fair bit of damage to tattoos over time, particularly with repeated exposure.

Use SPF 50+ sunscreen on your healed tattoos when you're out in the sun.

If you want your tattoos to stay looking sharp for years to come, it's worth making this part of your routine.

Give your tattoo time to settle

Don't judge the final result while your tattoo is still peeling or healing.

Skin takes time to recover, and your tattoo can change in appearance quite a bit over those first few weeks.

If something looks a little uneven once it's fully healed, have a chat with your artist and they can let you know whether a touch-up might be needed.

08. A Few Common Questions

Can I shower with a fresh tattoo?

Yep! Normal showers are fine.

Just avoid long, hot showers or soaking your tattoo in water.

If you've got second skin on, make sure the dressing stays properly sealed.

Can I sleep on my tattoo?

If possible, try to avoid sleeping directly on it for the first few nights.

Keep your bedding clean and be mindful of anything rubbing against the area.

If your tattoo happens to stick to your sheets or clothing, don't pull it off dry. Wet the fabric with lukewarm water and gently loosen it.

My tattoo is peeling. Is that normal?

Yep, completely normal.

Most tattoos will peel or flake to some degree while healing.

Some peel quite a lot, while others barely peel at all.

Just let the skin come away naturally.

Why does my tattoo look faded or cloudy?

This can happen during the healing process as new skin forms over the tattoo.

It might temporarily look dull or a little milky.

Give it a few weeks to settle before worrying about the final appearance.

What should I moisturise my tattoo with?

A gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser is usually all you need.

Tattoo-specific balms are also fine, and some people prefer pure shea butter or plain coconut oil if their skin tolerates them.

Whatever you use, keep it simple and apply a thin layer.

Avoid anything heavily fragranced or irritating.

What if my second skin falls off early?

If it comes off or starts leaking, give your tattoo a gentle wash and switch over to traditional aftercare.

Don't try to stick the old dressing back on.

If you're unsure, get in touch with your artist.

How long does a tattoo take to heal?

Generally, around 2–4 weeks for the surface of the skin, with deeper healing taking a little longer.

Some tattoos heal quicker than others, so don't worry if yours takes a bit more time.

Will my tattoo need a touch-up?

Not necessarily.

Most tattoos heal up nicely without needing anything extra, but occasionally an area might heal a little lighter than expected.

If you notice something once it's completely healed, send your artist a photo and have a chat about it.

Still Got Questions?

If there's anything you're unsure about, don't hesitate to get in touch with us or your artist.

We'd much rather you ask a question than spend a week worrying about something that might be completely normal.

Look after your new tattoo, give it the time it needs to heal, and enjoy it!

Tommy Ruffs Tattoo Studio

Rough Seas, Smooth Lines.

These are general aftercare guidelines. Always follow any specific instructions given by your artist, particularly when using second skin. If you suspect an infection or serious skin reaction, seek medical advice.