Congratulations on your new tattoo.

Proper aftercare is the difference between ink that heals crisp and vibrant, and ink that fades or gets infected. Follow these steps closely for the first two to three weeks.

1. the first few hours.
Your artist has covered your tattoo with a protective wrap. Leave it on for two to five hours, then remove it gently with clean hands.

2. cleaning.
Two to three times a day, wash your tattoo with warm water and a gentle, unscented soap. Dial unscented or a fragrance free castile soap works great, avoid anything scented or with harsh dyes since those irritate healing skin. Use your fingertips only, never a washcloth or loofah, and pat dry with a clean paper towel, don’t rub.

3. moisturizing.
Once your tattoo starts to feel tight or dry, usually after day two or three, apply a thin layer of an unscented lotion. Lubriderm and Cetaphil are both excellent choices, just a thin layer, you want the skin hydrated, not smothered.

4. the don’ts.
Don’t pick or scratch scabs, don’t soak in pools, baths, or the ocean for at least two weeks, and keep it out of direct sun while healing.