Healing Guide

Tattoo Aftercare —
The Honest Version

What we tell every client at the end of their session, expanded. Follow these steps and the tattoo you walk out with is the tattoo you keep for life.

Tattoos heal in two stages: surface (the first 2 to 4 weeks) and deep-skin (3 to 6 months total). What you do in the first 14 days determines how the lines hold up, how saturated the colour stays, and whether you need a touch-up later. None of this is complicated — but it has to be consistent.

First 24 hours

Leave the bandage on for 2 to 4 hours. The wrap protects the tattoo from bacteria and absorbs the initial plasma weep.
Remove the bandage gently over a sink. If it's stuck, run warm water over it to loosen.
Wash with clean hands using fragrance-free soap. No washcloth, no loofah. Just your hand and lukewarm water.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub.
Apply a thin layer of unscented moisturizer. Less is more — over-moisturizing suffocates the tattoo and slows healing.

Days 2 to 14 — surface healing

Wash 2 to 3 times daily. Morning, evening, and once mid-day if you've been somewhere dirty.
Moisturize after each wash. Thin layer. Unscented. Aquaphor, Cerave, or any clean lotion works.
Do not soak the tattoo. No pools, hot tubs, baths, lakes, or long showers. Quick showers are fine.
Stay out of direct sun. Sunlight on a fresh tattoo accelerates fading dramatically.
Do not pick or scratch. Peeling and itching are normal. Let the skin do its thing.
Wear loose clothing over the tattoo area. Friction during healing causes patches and uneven colour.

Weeks 3 to 6 — surface healed, deep still going

The tattoo may look dull, uneven, or slightly cloudy. This is normal — full vibrancy returns once deep-skin healing finishes.
Keep moisturizing once or twice daily. The skin is still rebuilding underneath.
Resume normal activity — gym, sleep on it, light sun exposure with SPF.
Still no soaking. Continue avoiding hot tubs, pools, and lakes for the full 4-week window if possible.

Months 1 to 6 — long-term care

SPF 30+ any time the tattoo is in the sun. UV exposure is the number-one cause of tattoo fading. This applies forever, not just during healing.
Stay hydrated and moisturize daily. Well-hydrated skin holds ink longer.
Touch-ups are normal. Most tattoos benefit from a touch-up at the 3 to 6 month mark — book with your artist if you notice patchy spots.

When to call us

The tattoo is hot to the touch and the redness is spreading past the tattoo border after day 3.
Yellow or green discharge, or a foul smell.
Fever or chills after the session.
Excessive plasma weeping past day 2.

Any of the above can indicate infection. Reach out to us at info@phantomavenue.com or 587-520-7711, or see your doctor.

What we tell every client

The tattoo we send you home with is the tattoo we worked on for hours. What it becomes is mostly up to you over the next two weeks. Be patient, keep it clean, keep it moisturized, keep it out of the sun. You can always book a free check-in at the studio if anything feels off.

Booking your next piece? Free consultation here.

Tattoo Aftercare —The Honest Version

When to call us

What we tell every client

Book a Free TattooConsultation

Tattoo Aftercare —
The Honest Version

Book a Free Tattoo
Consultation