Some redness, swelling and a little plasma or ink weeping is normal. Remove the wrap when your artist told you to, wash gently, and let it air.
The area feels tight and may look dull. Keep washing twice a day and moisturising thinly. Resist the urge to over-treat it.
Flaking is expected and the colour may look patchy. This is the stage where picking does real damage — leave it alone.
Surface is healed, colour starts to come back. A milky or shiny look is normal while the deeper layers finish.
The piece has found its final look. Now it's sunscreen and moisturiser for life — UV is what fades tattoos, not time.
Message the studio if you notice unusual redness spreading outward, swelling that gets worse after day three, heat, pus, or pain that increases rather than fades. Those aren't normal healing and are worth a look.
Sometimes — particularly with fine line, white ink or heavily saturated colour. Wait until it's fully healed at around six to eight weeks, then send us a photo and we'll tell you honestly whether it needs anything.
Not while it's healing. After that, high-factor sunscreen on the piece every time it's exposed. Sun damage is the single biggest cause of a tattoo looking tired years later.
Stop using it, wash gently with plain lukewarm water, and get in touch. Some people react to fragrances or lanolin — there are alternatives we can point you to.
Give alcohol a miss for the first day — it thins your blood and makes healing messier. Hold off on heavy training for a few days, especially if the area will sweat or rub.
Tell us what you have in mind and we'll arrange a free consultation. Walk-ins welcome when we have space.