How does healing progress day by day?
Healing happens in phases that flow smoothly into one another. Every skin reacts a little differently, so the following timeframes are guide values:
- —Day 1–3 (open wound): The skin weeps and clear lymph fluid seeps out. Wear the film or plaster as your artist instructs, then gently wash the area several times a day with lukewarm water and mild soap, pat it dry and apply a very thin layer of aftercare.
- —Day 4–14 (flaking & itching): A thin crust forms, the skin flakes and itches. Do not scratch or pick — the flakes fall off on their own. Keep applying a thin layer of care.
- —Week 2–4 (surface healed): The surface is closed, but the tattoo may still look dull, dry or slightly milky. That is normal and settles once the deeper skin layers catch up.
- —Up to month 2–3 (deep healing): The skin fully regenerates and the colours look clear again. Only now is the tattoo considered fully healed.
What should you do in the first weeks?
Keep the area clean, dry and lightly cared for. Less is more — a thin layer of aftercare is enough to let the skin breathe.
- —Wash your hands thoroughly before every touch
- —Clean gently with lukewarm water and pat dry with clean material only (do not rub)
- —Apply the aftercare product in a very thin layer and remove any excess
- —Wear breathable, loose clothing that does not rub against the tattoo
- —Give the skin rest and avoid straining the fresh area unnecessarily
What should you avoid during healing?
Anything that softens, irritates or contaminates the fresh wound slows healing. So during the first weeks:
- —No baths, swimming, sauna or hot tub (the wound softens, risk of germs)
- —No direct sun and no tanning bed on the fresh tattoo
- —No intense sport or heavy sweating in the first days
- —Do not scratch, pick at flakes or peel off any crust
- —Avoid tight, rubbing clothing and unclean hands
When should you seek medical advice?
Slight redness, warmth and a feeling of tightness in the first days are normal. If you notice signs of infection, however, you should seek medical advice rather than wait.
Warning signs are increasing or strong redness, swelling, throbbing pain, pus or fever. In these cases a medical check-up makes sense — we are not medical advice. For questions about aftercare you can always reach out to the studio.
Where do you find the right aftercare?
Your artist gives you the specific aftercare steps right after the appointment — tailored to your motif and your skin. These instructions always take priority.
You will also find a tattoo aftercare overview on our care page, and which product suits you is explained in our Bepanthen article. If you are unsure, just reach out at Tattoo-Werk on Wagramer Straße 115 or via WhatsApp at +43 664 5151195.
