A fresh tattoo is a wound and an artwork at once. How you treat the first month decides how it looks for years. Here is what to expect, day by day.
Days 1–3 — the fresh wound
Keep the covering on as long as I advise. Once off, wash gently with clean hands and a fragrance-free soap, pat dry, and apply a thin layer of the recommended balm. A little redness and warmth is normal; drowning it in product is not.
Days 4–14 — peeling and itch
The skin will flake and itch as it heals. This is the hardest stretch: do not pick, scratch, or peel. Keep it lightly moisturised, skip pools, saunas, and long soaks, and let your body do the work.
Days 15–30 — settling
The surface looks healed but the deeper skin is still recovering. Keep moisturising, and above all keep it out of direct sun — UV is what fades a tattoo fastest. Once fully healed, sunscreen is the single best thing for its longevity.
If anything looks off — spreading redness, swelling, or anything that worries you — reach out. A complimentary touch-up is included within three months if the piece ever needs one.