Aftercare

The first hours

Leave the dressing on for as long as Ted told you. Cling film usually comes off after 2–4 hours; a clear “second skin” film often stays on for 3–5 days.
Fluid and ink collecting under a film is normal. If it leaks, lifts at the edges or fills with a lot of liquid, take it off early.
Remove any dressing slowly under warm running water, peeling it back low along the skin — never rip it off.
Wash your hands, then wash the tattoo for the first time (see below). Pat dry with a fresh paper towel and let it air-dry for a few minutes.
Expect it to feel warm and tender, a bit like sunburn. Drink water, rest, and skip alcohol for the first day.

Days 1–14

Keep the tattoo clean and lightly moisturised. Wear loose, clean clothing over it and sleep on clean bedding.

Around days 3–7 it will start to flake and itch. That’s healing — let flakes fall off on their own. Tapping lightly or a cool compress helps with itching.

Avoid tight straps, rough fabric and anything that rubs the area.

Hold off on heavy training that stretches or sweats the tattooed skin for the first few days, and wash it soon after any workout.

Pets, gardening and dusty work: keep the tattoo covered with clean clothing.

Washing

Always wash your hands first.

Use lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free, pH-neutral soap. Lather in your hands, then wash gently with your fingertips.

No sponges, washcloths, loofahs or scrubs.

Rinse well and pat dry with a fresh paper towel — shared towels hold bacteria.

Short showers are fine. Avoid long, hot showers and don’t let the tattoo soak.

Moisturising

Once it’s clean and dry, rub in a very thin layer of a fragrance-free tattoo balm or unscented moisturiser, 2–3 times a day.

Less is more: the skin should look matte, not shiny. Too much cream suffocates the skin and slows healing.

Skip heavy, occlusive ointments such as pure petroleum jelly unless Ted recommends one.

Keep going for a few days after the peeling stops — the skin underneath is still new.

Sun

Keep a fresh tattoo out of direct sunlight and off sunbeds for at least 3–4 weeks. Cover it with loose clothing instead.

Don’t put sunscreen on an unhealed tattoo.

Once fully healed, use SPF 50 whenever it’s exposed. UV is what fades fine lines and soft shading fastest — especially in micro-realism.

Normal or not?

Usually normal

Redness, warmth and slight swelling for the first 2–3 days
Clear or ink-tinted fluid in the first 24–48 hours
Tenderness, like a mild sunburn
Flaking, peeling and itching around days 3–14
A cloudy, milky look for a few weeks after peeling — it clears as the skin settles

See a doctor if you notice

Redness or swelling that spreads or gets worse after day 3
Pain, heat or throbbing that increases instead of easing
Yellow or green pus, or a bad smell
Fever, chills or feeling unwell
Red streaks spreading out from the tattoo
A rash, raised bumps, blisters or intense itching — this can be an allergic reaction

Don’t wait it out — infections are easy to treat early. Tell Ted as well so he knows. In an emergency in Germany call 112; for urgent non-emergency care out of hours call 116 117.

Healed, and something looks off?

Fully healed takes about 4–6 weeks. If a line or area needs a touch-up after that, send Ted a clear photo in daylight and he’ll let you know.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have a skin condition, allergy, or a medical question, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.