Tattoo Aftercare: The Newcastle Studio Guide

A great tattoo can still be ruined in the first fortnight. The difference between a clean heal and a patchy one is almost always aftercare. This is the routine we give every client who gets tattooed at our tattoo studio in Newcastle, written from 25+ years of watching what works on real skin.

The first 24 hours

We will wrap your fresh tattoo at the studio before you leave. Keep the wrap on for the time we tell you. When it comes off, wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free, antibacterial soap. Pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub it.

It is normal for a new tattoo to weep a thin layer of plasma and ink in the first day. That is not a problem, it is the skin doing its job.

Day 2 to day 5

Wash the tattoo two or three times a day. Apply a thin layer of a fragrance-free aftercare cream we recommend (we will hand you one at the studio if you do not have one). Thin is the keyword. Slathering it on chokes the skin and can cause breakouts.

The tattoo will start to feel tight and warm. That is healing, not infection. If you see spreading redness, increasing pain after day three, or pus, that is when you call us.

Day 6 to day 14: the itchy phase

This is the part most people get wrong. The tattoo will start flaking and peeling like sunburn. It will itch. Do not pick it. Do not scratch it. Tap or slap the area gently if you have to, but let the dry skin come off on its own. Picking flakes lifts ink with them and that is where you get patchy areas.

Things to avoid for at least two weeks

• Direct sun on the tattoo. Sun is the single biggest enemy.
• Submerging it: baths, swimming pools, the sea, hot tubs.
• Heavy gym sessions on or around the tattoo.
• Tight clothing that rubs against it constantly.
• Pets sleeping on the area at night.

The first three months

Even after the surface has healed, the deeper layers of skin keep settling for around three months. During that time, sun protection is non-negotiable. Once it is fully healed, use an SPF 50 on the tattoo any time it is exposed. UV is the reason black and grey work fades.

When to message us

Most healing problems are not problems, but a few are. Message the studio if you see spreading redness past the tattoo lines after day three, raised painful lumps, fever or yellow-green discharge. We would rather you ask than worry. For more on the timeline of healing, see how long a tattoo takes to heal.

Where this fits in

If you are still researching tattoos in Newcastle, the rest of the studio guide covers consultations, pricing and styles. Read how to prepare for your tattoo session before you book in, and how to choose a tattoo studio in Newcastle if you have not picked an artist yet.