The Complete Tattoo Aftercare Guide
Heal your tattoo perfectly. Day-by-day timeline, what to use (and what not to), and the products real Australian artists actually recommend.
Healing Timeline
Most tattoos heal on the surface in 2–3 weeks and fully heal in 4 weeks. Here's what to expect at each stage.
Plasma, ink residue, swelling. Keep wrapped 1–4 hours per artist instructions, then gentle wash with fragrance-free soap, pat dry, apply thin layer of balm.
Skin starts to tighten. DO NOT scratch. Continue washing 2–3x daily, moisturise lightly. Avoid pools, ocean, gym, direct sun.
Skin sheds — looks like a sunburn. DO NOT pick. Keep moisturising. Itching peaks here. Tap gently if needed.
Tattoo may look "milky" or "cloudy" as deeper layers heal. Fully healed by day 30. Apply SPF50+ from now on, every time you go outside.
Best aftercare products
See allDr Pickles Original Tattoo Balm
$24.95Editor's choice. Australian-made since 2010. Pawpaw + D-Panthenol formula. Vegan, in Woolworths and Coles.
Hustle Butter Deluxe
$39.95Vegan, use during AND after tattooing. The artist-favourite all-rounder.
Bepanthen Antiseptic Cream
$14.99The budget pick — pharmacy grade, best for the first 3 days only.
Some links above are affiliate links. We only recommend products our editorial team and panel of Australian artists actually use.
Do's & Don'ts
- · Wash 2–3 times a day with fragrance-free soap
- · Apply a thin layer of recommended balm
- · Sleep on clean sheets and a clean pillowcase
- · Wear loose, breathable clothing over the tattoo
- · Use SPF50+ once fully healed — for life
- · Pick, scratch or peel scabs
- · Soak (no pools, ocean, baths, hot tubs) for 2–3 weeks
- · Expose to direct sunlight while healing
- · Use Vaseline, coconut oil or random moisturisers
- · Re-bandage after the first wash