Tattoo aftercare — complete guide

01First 24 hours — the professional bandage

At Funky Tattoo we apply a professional Saniderm / Second Skin bandage at the end of every session — a transparent, breathable film that isolates the tattoo from bacteria and lets it heal in a controlled moist environment. This bandage is far more effective than traditional cling film or gauze.

Keep the bandage on for between 12 and 24 hours (the artist will tell you exactly based on the tattoo's size and area). Under it, the tattoo will produce excess fluid and ink — this is perfectly normal, not an infection. You'll see a viscous dark substance under the bandage; don't panic, it's plasma mixed with excess ink.

When you remove it, do it slowly, under running warm (not hot) water. Pull parallel to the skin, not upwards. If the bandage sticks, soak it well — warm water breaks the adhesion. After removal, wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and neutral soap (we recommend Sapone Di Marsiglia or baby soap), with gentle motions using your palm. Don't use a sponge, towel, or scrub.

Dry by patting with clean paper towels (not cloth towels, which can carry bacteria). Let the skin dry completely for 10-15 minutes, then apply a thin layer of aftercare cream recommended by the artist (Bepanthen, Hustle Butter, or a specific tattoo aftercare cream). Too thick a layer suffocates the skin and slows healing.

What NOT to do in the first 24 hours:

• Don't remove the bandage earlier than instructed
• Don't touch the tattoo with unwashed hands
• Don't apply any other cream, oil, or disinfectant beyond what the artist recommended
• Don't sleep with pets in the bed on the first night

If the bandage partially peels off or fills completely with fluid (rare situation), call us at +40 731 525 808 — we'll tell you what to do or, if needed, we'll have you come to the studio for reapplication.

02Days 2-7 — the peeling phase

Starting on day 2, the tattoo enters the peeling phase — the least pleasant, but perfectly normal. The skin above the ink dries, stretches, and starts to peel off like after a sunburn. This process lasts between 3 and 7 days, depending on the tattoo's size, body area, and your skin type.

Daily protocol in this phase:

• Wash 2-3 times a day with lukewarm water and neutral soap (palm, not sponge)
• Dry by patting with paper towels
• Apply a thin layer of cream after each wash, when the skin is almost dry (slightly moist)
• Keep the area clean and dry between washes

What absolutely NOT to do:

• Do not pick at the flakes, no matter how tempting — you'll pull out ink and leave white spots
• Do not scratch — if it itches, tap the area lightly with your palm or apply cold cream
• Do not expose to direct sun — UV destroys fresh ink
• Do not enter pools, sea, hot tubs, saunas — stagnant water and chlorine are enemies #1
• Do not wear synthetic sweaty clothes over the tattoo; clean cotton is ideal

Itching is a good sign — it means the skin is regenerating. If it becomes unbearable, apply a clean cold compress for 5-10 minutes or use a panthenol cream. Oral antihistamines (Zyrtec, Aerius) can help in extreme cases, but ask the pharmacist.

If you notice redness spreading beyond the tattoo, throbbing pain, unpleasant smell, or pus — these are signs of infection and must be treated immediately. Call us at +40 731 525 808 or come to the studio. In most cases, what looked like an infection is just a local reaction, but always get it checked.

03Days 8-30 — colour stabilisation

In weeks 2-4 the tattoo looks "almost done" — peeling has stopped, pain is gone, but the skin still has a cloudy look, like a photograph under a plastic film. This is the stabilisation phase: the deep dermis is still working to fix the ink, and the upper skin layer is fully maturing.

Continue to moisturise the area with a neutral cream (fragrance-free body lotion, no minerals, no AHA/BHA) 1-2 times a day. Avoid anti-aging products, retinol cream, chemical peels, electric epilators on the tattooed area for 30 days. Sun remains the main enemy — apply SPF 50 on the tattoo every time you leave the house, even in winter, even on cloudy days.

In this phase, the tattoo may look slightly faded or patchy — don't panic. Deep ink rises to the surface gradually, and in 4-6 weeks the tattoo will look exactly as designed. If you notice areas that look truly without ink (completely white), they may require a touch-up session — included in the initial price for 6 months from the main session.

Activities allowed after day 14:

• Sport (including swimming, but only after the skin is fully visually healed)
• Sauna and steam room (in moderation)
• Sun exposure with mandatory SPF 50

Activities allowed after day 30:

• Tanning (still with SPF, if you want the tattoo to last)
• Epilation (laser or electric) — but only over a fully healed tattoo

For questions in this phase, call +40 731 525 808 or message on WhatsApp — we prefer to answer 100 unnecessary questions rather than lose a tattoo to infection.

04Long-term care — for a tattoo that lasts 20+ years

A well-executed, well-cared-for tattoo looks good for 15-20 years without needing a touch-up. A tattoo exposed to sun without protection, frequently dry and neglected, fades in 5-7 years. The difference is made by you, daily, in two steps.

Essential long-term steps:

• SPF 50 on the tattoo every time it's exposed to sun — non-negotiable
• Daily moisturising with neutral cream — dry skin makes the ink look cloudy
• Avoid prolonged soaking in chlorinated water (pool) — chlorine opens pores and dissolves ink gradually

Avoid laser epilation over the tattoo — epilation laser destroys tattoo pigment just as it destroys melanin in the hair shaft. If you want permanent epilation on a tattooed area, choose electroepilation (needle) which goes around the ink.

Stay in touch with your artist. If you notice significant fading after 2-3 years, book a touch-up — it's a short session (1-2 hours), much cheaper than the initial tattoo, and brings the piece back to its original look. At Funky Tattoo we offer touch-ups at 50% off for clients who got their tattoo with us.

What affects the tattoo's lifespan:

• Sun — factor #1; a daily exposed tattoo without SPF fades in 3-5 years
• Skin ageing — thin, dry skin doesn't hold ink as well
• Significant weight gain — distorts the design (especially on belly, arms, thighs)
• Pregnancy — tattoos on the belly can distort; those on the back, shoulders, or ankles are not affected

Our guides are written by Funky Tattoo artists, based on 15+ years of experience. For specific questions about your tattoo, call +40 731 525 808 or email contact@funkytattoo.ro. We're in Piața Romană, Bucharest, open Mon-Fri 10-21, Sat-Sun 13-18.