Your tattoo is an open wound for the first few days — treat it right and it'll heal clean and stay sharp for years. Here's the playbook we give every client at Empire Tattoo.
The first 24 hours
Leave the wrap on as long as your artist tells you. When you take it off, wash your hands first, then wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and unscented soap. Pat dry with a clean towel — don't rub.
Days 2–14: keep it clean and lotioned
Wash 2–3 times a day with unscented soap, pat dry.
Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion — just enough to keep it from drying out. More is not better.
Wear loose clothing over it when you can. Tight stuff rubbing on fresh ink is a bad time.
What to avoid while it heals
No swimming — pools, hot tubs, lakes, the ocean. Showers are fine.
No direct sun. Once it's healed, sunscreen is your tattoo's best friend.
Don't pick or scratch the flakes/scabs. Let them fall off on their own.
No gym sessions that soak it in sweat for the first few days.
When to call us
Some redness and tenderness is normal. But if you see spreading redness, swelling that gets worse after day 3, pus, or a fever — call the shop or see a doctor. Don't wait on that.
Touch-ups
Touch-ups on our work are free. Once you're fully healed (about a month), if anything needs a little love, come back and we'll handle it.
Questions while you're healing? Call us at (520) 955-1937 — we'd rather hear from you than have you guess.
