Under My Skin
Aftercare Instructions
How quickly you heal depends on the size and placement of your tattoo or piercing. Follow these guidelines closely for the best results.
The Healing Timeline
Day 1
You'll leave with a dressing over your tattoo. Plastic wrap/gauze can usually come off within an hour; medical-grade adhesive ("second skin") is designed to last several days – follow your artist's specific instructions.
First Few Days
Some oozing of blood, plasma, and ink is normal. Skin will be red, sore, and slightly warm. Wash your hands, gently remove the dressing, and cleanse with warm water and fragrance-free soap.
First Week
Apply A+D Original Ointment for the first day or two, then switch to Aquaphor Healing Ointment or Tattoo Tony's Tattoo Aftercare. Keep the area clean and out of direct sun.
Ongoing
Switch to a fragrance-free, alcohol-free lotion. Stay hydrated, protect your skin's elasticity, and wear sun-protective clothing or sunscreen to keep your ink vibrant for years to come.
Tattoo Aftercare
Bigger tattoos will stay red and swollen longer because they cause more trauma to the skin. Here's how to care for your new piece in the first 30 days and beyond.
- Day 1: You'll come home with a dressing over your tattoo. Your artist will tell you how long to wait before removing it.
- Some oozing of blood, plasma, and ink is normal. Skin will be red, sore, and slightly warm.
- When removing the dressing, wash your hands first, then gently peel back the wrap. Use warm water and fragrance-free soap to cleanse the area.
- Ongoing: Stay hydrated and protect your skin's elasticity. Prevent sun damage – wear sun-protective clothing and use sunscreen to keep your ink vibrant.
- Soap: Use a mild, fragrance-free soap or specially formulated tattoo cleanser (Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar is a common recommendation).
- Ointment: A+D Original Ointment for the first day or two, then switch to Aquaphor Healing Ointment, or Tattoo Tony's Tattoo Aftercare.
- Lotion: Switch to a fragrance-free, alcohol-free lotion after the first week.
Questions about your specific tattoo? Call the studio at (732) 872-4092.
Piercing Aftercare
There's no single routine that works for everyone – different bodies, lifestyles, and climates call for different care. New piercings should be cleaned twice daily for the entire healing period. Don't overclean.
- Use a sterile saline spray to thoroughly irrigate the area – don't just dip a cotton swab and dab it on. Popular brands: H2Ocean®, Steri-Wash®, NeilMed®, Simply Saline™.
- Clean twice a day, no more – over-cleaning can irritate the piercing and slow healing.
- Your immune system does the healing; your job is to keep the area clean and dry.
- Avoid rotating or twisting jewelry unnecessarily during healing.
- Watch for signs of infection (excess redness, swelling, discharge, fever) and contact the studio or a doctor if you're concerned.
Questions about your specific piercing? Call the studio at (732) 872-4092.
Aftercare FAQ
Start with A+D Original Ointment for the first day or two, then move to Aquaphor Healing Ointment or Tattoo Tony's Tattoo Aftercare, followed by a fragrance-free, alcohol-free lotion once the surface has healed.
Yes. Some oozing of blood, plasma, and ink is normal in the first days, and the skin will be red, sore, and slightly warm. Bigger tattoos cause more trauma and will stay swollen a bit longer.
Twice a day with a sterile saline spray, no more. Over-cleaning can irritate a piercing and slow healing – your immune system does the real work.
Watch for excess redness, swelling, discharge, or fever, and contact the studio at (732) 872-4092 or a doctor if you're concerned.
Call the Studio
We're happy to talk you through healing for your specific piece.