04/21/2025 Protect Your Ink: The Ultimate Guide to What NOT to Do After Getting a Tattoo

April 21, 2025 by Bob Parr, owner/artist of Nirvanic Tattoo

You did it! After careful consideration, choosing the perfect design, and sitting through the session, you’re now the proud owner of a brand new tattoo. The vibrant colors, the sharp lines – it looks incredible. Your artist has skillfully embedded ink into your dermis, creating a permanent piece of art. Their part of the immediate process is largely complete, but yours – the crucial healing phase – has just begun.

Getting a tattoo is an investment, not just financially, but in your body and personal expression. How you treat that investment in the first few weeks is paramount to how it will look for the rest of your life. While your artist provides specific aftercare instructions tailored to their methods and your tattoo, there's a universal list of "don'ts" that can sabotage even the most expertly applied ink.

Think of your fresh tattoo as a beautiful, sensitive open wound. It requires gentle, diligent care to heal properly, minimize complications, and ensure the final result is as stunning as the moment you walked out of the studio. Unfortunately, excitement, misinformation, or simple neglect can lead people to make crucial mistakes during this delicate period.

To help you navigate the healing process successfully and protect your new artwork, we've compiled the definitive list of things you absolutely should NOT do with a fresh tattoo. Avoid these pitfalls, and you'll be well on your way to a beautifully healed piece you can cherish forever.

1. DON'T Touch It (Especially with Dirty Hands!)

This is tattoo aftercare rule number one, yet it's surprisingly easy to forget. Your new tattoo is vulnerable to bacteria. Every time you touch it unnecessarily, especially with unwashed hands, you risk introducing germs that can lead to infection.

• Why it's bad: Infections can cause excessive scabbing, pus, prolonged healing, pain, permanent scarring, and significant ink loss or distortion. In severe cases, they can require medical intervention.

• What to do instead: Only touch your tattoo when cleaning it as per your artist's instructions, and always wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap immediately beforehand. Avoid letting others touch it, no matter how curious they are. Keep pets from licking or rubbing against it.

2. DON'T Pick, Scratch, or Peel Healing Skin/Scabs

As your tattoo heals, it will likely itch, flake, and potentially form light scabs. This is a normal part of the process as your skin regenerates. However, resisting the urge to scratch or pick is absolutely critical.

• Why it's bad: Picking at flakes or scabs prematurely rips them away, often taking ink particles with them. This leads to patchy spots, faded color, and uneven healing. It also re-opens the wound, increasing the risk of infection and scarring.

• What to do instead: Let flakes and scabs fall off naturally. If the itching is intense, gently pat the area (don't slap it hard!) or apply a very thin layer of the recommended aftercare lotion (if appropriate at that stage) to soothe the dryness causing the itch. Keeping it lightly moisturized often helps alleviate the worst of the itching.

3. DON'T Drown Your Tattoo: Avoid Soaking

Water itself isn't the enemy, but prolonged submersion is a major hazard for a healing tattoo. This means staying clear of baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, oceans, and even long, steamy showers.

• Why it's bad:

  • Infection Risk: Pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans are teeming with bacteria, chlorine, and other chemicals that can easily infect an open wound.

  • Ink Saturation/Loss: Soaking can over-saturate the healing skin, causing the ink to leach out or heal poorly, resulting in a faded or blurry appearance. The skin needs to breathe and form its protective layers.

• What to do instead: Showers are fine – in fact, necessary for cleaning. Keep them relatively brief and avoid letting the full force of the water spray directly onto the tattoo for extended periods, especially in the first few days. Gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and fragrance-free, mild soap as directed. Pat it dry carefully with a clean paper towel (avoid abrasive bath towels that can harbor bacteria and snag on flakes). Wait until your tattoo is fully healed (typically 2-4 weeks, sometimes longer, ask your artist) before resuming swimming or soaking activities.

4. DON'T Expose Your Fresh Tattoo to Direct Sunlight or Tanning Beds

UV rays are detrimental to healing skin and tattoo ink. Exposing a fresh tattoo to direct sunlight or artificial tanning beds is one of the fastest ways to damage it.

• Why it's bad:

  • Burning: Healing skin is extremely sensitive and burns easily, causing pain, blistering, prolonged healing, and potential scarring.

  • Fading: UV radiation breaks down ink pigments, causing premature and significant fading, especially in lighter colors. This damage is permanent.

  • Increased Damage: Sun exposure can exacerbate inflammation and potentially trigger adverse reactions in the healing skin.

• What to do instead: Keep your new tattoo covered with loose, clean clothing whenever you're outdoors for the first 2-4 weeks. Do NOT apply sunscreen to a fresh, unhealed tattoo, as the chemicals can irritate the open wound and hinder healing. Once fully healed, always apply a high-SPF (30+) broad-spectrum sunscreen to your tattoo whenever it will be exposed to the sun to protect its vibrancy for years to come.

5. DON'T Suffocate Your Tattoo with Tight Clothing or Constant Bandaging

While the initial bandage applied by your artist is crucial, your tattoo needs to breathe to heal properly once that comes off (as per their instructions). Tight clothing or unnecessary re-bandaging can impede this process.

• Why it's bad:

  • Abrasion: Tight clothes can rub against the sensitive, healing skin, causing irritation, chafing, and potentially pulling off flakes or scabs prematurely, leading to ink loss.

  • Trapped Moisture: Constricting fabrics or unnecessary bandages can trap moisture and sweat against the tattoo, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and increasing infection risk. Lack of air circulation slows down the natural healing process.

• What to do instead: Wear loose-fitting, clean clothing made from soft, breathable fabrics (like cotton) over the tattooed area. Avoid materials that might stick or shed fibers. Follow your artist's specific instructions regarding the initial bandage removal and whether any re-bandaging is needed (usually it's not, unless under specific circumstances like working in a very dirty environment, and even then, only with their guidance).

6. DON'T Over-Moisturize or Use the Wrong Products

Applying aftercare lotion is important, but moderation is key. Using too much lotion or applying unapproved products can do more harm than good.

• Why it's bad:

  • Clogged Pores: A thick layer of lotion can clog pores, potentially leading to pimples or rashes on and around the tattoo.

  • Suffocation: Like tight clothing, too much ointment prevents the skin from breathing, trapping moisture and hindering the natural healing process.

  • Irritation: Products containing fragrances, dyes, petroleum jelly (often not recommended beyond the very initial stage, if at all), or harsh chemicals can irritate the sensitive skin, causing redness, itching, or allergic reactions.

• What to do instead: Apply only a very thin, breathable layer of the specific aftercare product recommended by your artist, just enough to moisturize without leaving a greasy or saturated film. Gently rub it in. Apply only as frequently as advised (usually 2-3 times a day after cleaning). Stick strictly to recommended, fragrance-free, gentle products. If you run out, ask your artist for alternatives before grabbing something random.

7. DON'T Let it Get Excessively Dry Either

While over-moisturizing is bad, allowing the tattoo to become extremely dry and cracked isn't ideal either.

• Why it's bad: Excessively dry skin can crack, which is painful and can damage the tattoo, potentially leading to thicker scabs that are more prone to cracking or being pulled off, taking ink with them. Severe dryness also intensifies itching.

• What to do instead: Maintain that balance. Follow the recommended moisturizing schedule with the thin layer of approved lotion. This keeps the skin supple enough to prevent deep cracking while still allowing it to breathe and heal.

8. DON'T Listen to Aftercare Advice from Anyone But Your Artist

Your friends mean well, and the internet is full of opinions, but tattoo aftercare advice can vary wildly. What worked for your buddy's tattoo might not be right for yours, especially considering different skin types, tattoo locations, inks, and artist techniques.

• Why it's bad: Following conflicting or incorrect advice can lead to all the problems mentioned above – infection, poor healing, ink loss, and frustration. Random internet forums are not substitutes for professional guidance.

• What to do instead: Trust the expert you paid to apply your tattoo. Your artist provided specific instructions for a reason. If you have any questions or concerns during healing, contact your tattoo studio directly. They are the best resource for guidance tailored to your specific situation.

9. DON'T Ignore Signs of Trouble (Infection or Allergic Reaction)

While some redness, swelling, and tenderness are normal initially, be vigilant for signs that something is wrong.

• Why it's bad: Ignoring an infection or allergic reaction allows it to worsen, potentially leading to serious health complications, severe scarring, and significant damage to your tattoo. Early intervention is key.

• Signs of Potential Infection: Increasing redness or redness spreading significantly outwards, excessive swelling, worsening pain, pus (thick yellow or green discharge), foul odor, fever.

• Signs of Potential Allergic Reaction: Excessive itching, rash, hives, bumps appearing on or around the tattoo (can sometimes happen later).

• What to do instead: If you suspect an infection or severe reaction, contact your tattoo artist immediately. They can assess the situation and advise whether you need to seek medical attention. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if symptoms are severe or worsening rapidly.

10. DON'T Engage in Strenuous Activity or Excessive Sweating (Initially)

Hitting the gym hard or engaging in activities that cause heavy sweating or significant stretching of the tattooed skin should be avoided for the first week or two.

• Why it's bad:

  • Sweat: Excessive sweat can irritate the healing tattoo and trap moisture, potentially increasing infection risk.

  • Stretching: Repetitive or extreme movement and stretching of the skin can disrupt the healing process, potentially distorting the lines or causing ink to settle unevenly.

  • Impact/Abrasion: Contact sports or activities with potential impact risk injury to the sensitive area.

• What to do instead: Opt for light activities. Avoid workouts that directly impact or heavily strain the tattooed area. Keep sweat away from the tattoo as much as possible and clean it gently afterward if you do sweat moderately. Ease back into your normal routine gradually as healing progresses.

Bonus DON'TS:

• DON'T Shave Over the Tattoo Too Soon: Wait until it's fully healed (skin surface is smooth, no scabs or flakes) before shaving the area to avoid scraping or irritating the new skin.

• DON'T Compare Your Healing Timeline Directly to Others: Everyone heals differently based on skin type, health, tattoo placement, and size. Be patient with your own process.

Protecting Your Art Starts Now

Healing a tattoo properly isn't complicated, but it does require diligence and avoiding these common mistakes. By treating your new ink with care, protecting it from harm, and following your artist's specific guidance, you ensure it heals beautifully and remains a vibrant piece of art you can be proud of for a lifetime. Remember, the healing phase is just as important as the tattooing process itself. Don't compromise your investment – take care of your ink!

If you have any concerns during your healing process, please don't hesitate to contact our studio.