Saran Wrap

Your tattoo care depends on two factors: whether your artist is using regular saran wrap or an elastic thin film called second skin.

In the case of saran wrap, after your tattoo is finished, the artist will clean it and apply a soothing ointment of their choice. Then, they will wrap it in saran wrap to protect the open wound while it starts to close, preventing direct contact with your clothes or other elements that might contain bacteria.

You should leave the wrap on for approximately three hours.

However, if you need a bit more time due to your schedule, it’s okay to leave it on for a few extra hours. If your tattoo is finished late at night, it is recommended to sleep with the wrap on—but only for the first night.

Make sure your hands are clean when removing the wrap.

After removal, clean your tattoo thoroughly. At this point, your tattoo may appear messy, with excess ink, plasma, or blood leaking from the wound. This is normal. The larger the tattooed area, the more leakage you may notice.

Use an antibacterial, unscented soap and gently wash the tattoo using your palms. Avoid scratching with your fingernails or using sponges, as they are abrasive and can harbor bacteria.

Let the soap foam do most of the work. Do not apply too much pressure.

After washing, let your tattoo air dry. If you’re short on time, you can dab it with a clean paper towel.

Dab—don’t wipe! Avoid using bathroom towels, as they can irritate a fresh tattoo.

Once your tattoo is dry, apply a very thin layer of ointment. Your artist will likely recommend an ointment containing panthenol, which hydrates the skin, promotes healing, and reduces itching. Apply this ointment about three times a day with freshly washed hands. Use only a small amount—just enough to make the skin shiny while keeping the tattoo visible and breathable. Using too much ointment can clog pores, leading to painful inflammation and potentially damaging your tattoo.

If you’re not sweating heavily or working in dusty or dirty environments, you don’t need to wash your tattoo between every application. Washing it once a day is usually sufficient. Use common sense to determine if more frequent cleaning is needed, and avoid friction on the tattoo during the first few days.

Peeling

Your tattoo should start peeling after a few days. This is a normal part of healing and doesn’t require extra precautions. Continue applying ointment as usual. If bits of skin begin peeling, don’t be alarmed—your tattoo isn’t falling off. This is the outermost layer of wounded skin shedding naturally, while a new layer forms.

Avoid pulling or scratching peeling skin; let it shed on its own. During this phase, the tattoo may look grayish, cracked, or faded.

This is temporary and will improve as healing progresses.

Tattoos take one to four weeks to heal, depending on your immune system, but most heal within two weeks. It’s recommended to continue applying a thin layer of ointment at least once a day for an additional two weeks after healing for optimal results.

Signs of improper healing include rashes, spreading heat, or an allergic reaction to saran wrap or colored ink. If the tattoo oozes a thick, yellow-greenish substance, it may be infected and require antibiotic treatment. Stop using any ointments and consult a doctor if you notice these symptoms. Most issues can be resolved with antibiotics, and any damage to the tattoo can often be corrected.

Physical Activity and Sun Exposure

Avoid working out for at least five days after getting your tattoo.

Afterward, light exercise is fine, but avoid contact sports or activities causing friction on the tattoo for the full two-week healing period.

During the first two weeks, avoid prolonged sun exposure, sunbathing, tanning beds, and swimming in pools, the ocean, or jacuzzis. Soaking a fresh tattoo can lead to infection and poor healing. Normal showers are fine; just avoid excessively hot water.

Once healed, apply SPF 50 sunscreen to your tattoo during intense sun exposure to preserve its appearance. However, do not use sunscreen on a healing tattoo—apply it only after the tattoo is fully healed.

Second Skin

If your artist uses second skin, they will not apply soothing ointment but will dry the area thoroughly before applying the adhesive film.

This film stays on for five days, during which you don’t need to apply ointment or clean the tattoo.

Image Source: r/tattooadvice

Ensure the film remains intact and doesn’t peel off prematurely.

When removing the second skin, do so in a warm shower. Let water soften the adhesive, then peel the edge gently, pulling parallel to your skin—not upward, as with a bandage. This process may take time but ensures your tattoo and skin remain undamaged.

After removal, clean your tattoo with unscented antibacterial soap and follow the same ointment application process as with saran wrap healing.

If you notice redness around the edges of the second skin that expands and radiates heat, it may indicate an allergy to the adhesive. Remove the second skin immediately and proceed with the standard healing process.

Contact your artist for advice on touch-ups if necessary.