Cleanser
Unscented Antibacterial Soap
A fragrance-free, dye-free liquid soap (Dial Gold or a gentle equivalent) for twice-daily washing. Lather in your hands first — never apply directly.
Heal it right. Wear it for life.
The work we put on your skin is permanent — how it heals is up to you. This is the exact protocol we send home with every client: a day-by-day healing timeline, clear do's and don'ts, the products we trust, and our free touch-up policy. Follow it, and your piece stays as crisp as the day you left the chair.
The healing timeline
Surface healing takes 2–4 weeks; deeper dermal settling continues for 3–6 months. Here's what's happening — and what to do — at every stage.
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Days 1–3
The Open-Wound Phase
Your tattoo is a fresh wound. It will feel sore, warm, and look slightly raised — all normal.
- If wrapped in plastic film, remove it after 2–4 hours; if using a second-skin bandage (Saniderm / Dermalize), leave it on.
- Wash gently with lukewarm water and unscented antibacterial soap, using only your clean fingertips.
- Pat dry with a fresh paper towel — never a cloth towel, which harbours bacteria and snags.
- Apply the thinnest possible layer of unscented moisturizer, 2–3 times a day.
- Sleep on clean sheets and try to keep the area uncovered and breathing overnight.
What to expect Expect plasma weeping, mild redness, and a tight feeling. Some ink-tinted fluid on the wrap is normal — it is not your tattoo "leaking out."
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Week 1
The Settling Phase
Inflammation calms down and the surface begins to dry and tighten as a thin scab forms.
- Continue washing twice daily and moisturizing 2–3 times with a thin layer.
- Wear loose, breathable clothing over the area to avoid friction and trapped sweat.
- Skip the gym, heavy sweating, hot tubs, saunas, and any submersion in water.
- Resist the urge to touch, poke, or show off the tattoo with unwashed hands.
What to expect Light flaking and a dull, cloudy look toward the end of the week are signs healing is on track — not that colour is being lost.
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Weeks 2–4
The Peeling & Itch Phase
The top layer of skin peels and regenerates. Itching is common — this is the trickiest stretch.
- Let all flaking and peeling skin fall away on its own; never pick or scratch.
- For intense itching, lightly pat or slap the area instead of scratching.
- Keep moisturizing as needed — enough to relieve tightness, never greasy.
- Stay out of pools, lakes, the ocean, and direct sun until fully surface-healed.
What to expect Picking a scab or peeling early pulls ink out with it and causes patchy, faded spots that need a touch-up. Patience here protects the whole piece.
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Weeks 4+ · Fully Healed
Lifetime Maintenance
The surface is healed. Deep dermal settling continues quietly for 3–6 months as colour reaches its final saturation.
- Apply SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen any time the tattoo is exposed — UV is the #1 cause of fading.
- Keep skin hydrated long-term; well-moisturized skin keeps ink looking crisp.
- Book a free touch-up assessment if you notice light or uneven spots after 8 weeks.
- Re-apply sunscreen at the beach, on the trail, and on every sunny commute for life.
What to expect A slightly dull look in the first few months is normal as the deeper layers settle. Final saturation reveals itself by month three to six.
Do's & don'ts
Do
- Wash gently with clean fingertips and unscented antibacterial soap.
- Moisturize with a thin layer of unscented lotion, 2–3 times a day.
- Wear loose, breathable clothing over the tattoo while it heals.
- Keep clean sheets on your bed and let the area breathe overnight.
- Eat a full meal and hydrate well before any follow-up session.
- Apply SPF 50+ for life once the tattoo is fully healed.
Don't
- Don’t pick, scratch, or peel scabbing skin — it pulls ink out.
- Don’t soak: no pools, baths, hot tubs, lakes, or ocean for 3–4 weeks.
- Don’t use petroleum products like Vaseline — they suffocate the skin.
- Don’t expose a healing tattoo to direct sunlight or tanning beds.
- Don’t over-moisturize; greasy skin traps bacteria and slows healing.
- Don’t hit the gym or sweat heavily for the first full week.
Recommended products
You don't need an expensive kit — just the right basics. These are the product types we recommend; any reputable, fragrance-free version works.
Moisturizer
Unscented Healing Lotion
A thin, fragrance-free lotion such as Lubriderm, Aveeno Unscented, or CeraVe Daily. Apply just enough to relieve tightness, never a thick coat.
Protective film
Second-Skin Bandage
A breathable adhesive film (Saniderm or Dermalize) worn for the first 3–5 days. It locks in moisture, blocks bacteria, and does the early healing for you.
Sun protection
Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+
Once fully healed, a high-SPF mineral sunscreen is the single best thing for longevity. UV exposure is the number-one cause of tattoo fading over the years.
Our Touch-Up Policy
We stand behind every piece that leaves the studio. If your tattoo heals with light spots or uneven saturation, we’ll touch it up — free of charge — provided the aftercare instructions on this page were followed.
- Wait a minimum of 8 weeks before any touch-up so the skin can fully surface-heal.
- Free touch-ups apply to fading from normal healing, not from sun damage, picking, or scratching.
- Request touch-ups through the same booking portal you used for your original appointment.
- Bring your original session details so your artist can match ink, line weight, and shading.
Got a question about healing?
Don't guess with permanent work. Book a free consultation and we'll walk you through everything — design, placement, and aftercare — before a single needle touches your skin.
This guide is general aftercare information, not medical advice. If you notice spreading redness after day 3, pus, fever, or red streaks, seek medical care promptly and contact us at landix.ninal@gmail.com.