Aftercare instructions
for Fineline Tattoos
Fineline tattoos heal much faster compared to traditional tattoos, and I’ve never had a customer experience healing issues with their fine-line tattoo. However, there are still some guidelines you should follow.
Aftercare for protective film
The first hours
If you have been given a protective film, leave it on for at least three hours. You can then remove it and wash the tattoo with a mild, fragrance-free soap, removing all blood and plasma.
Then let it air-dry or gently pat it dry with a clean towel. If you are unable to wash it after three hours, you can leave the film on for longer.
It is best, though, if it comes off after three hours, so the skin can breathe and healing can begin.
The first 3 days
For the first 3 days your tattoo should not have any cream on it. Just let it air-dry and look after itself.
You should of course keep it clean. Wash it when you shower, and if it gets dirty – but do not use any creams.
After 3 days
Once 3 days have passed, you can start applying Panthenol cream or tattoo cream morning and evening.
Use as thin a layer as possible, so the skin can still breathe. Too thick a layer of cream can potentially slow down the healing. Keep applying cream until the tattoo stops shining.
Let the scab fall off naturally
A scab usually forms after a couple of days. It has to be allowed to fall off naturally.
If you pick or scrape the scab off too early, you risk pulling the pigment out of the skin with it.
Exercise and clothing while it heals
You can exercise and stay active, but I recommend avoiding activities and exercises where there is a risk of the scab cracking or being scraped off too early.
Likewise, avoid tight-fitting or very rough clothing that could damage the scab on the tattoo.
Do you have a small fineline tattoo?
If your tattoo is small – under 5 × 5 cm – and you are not planning to get more in the near future, you can do without cream.
Small fineline tattoos often heal quickly and can heal perfectly well without cream. Buying a large tube of Panthenol cream may therefore be unnecessary. Cream will, however, usually speed the process up slightly.
Aftercare for Second Skin (Dermalize)
How long should the bandage stay on?
If Second Skin/Dermalize is applied to your tattoo, the process is a little different. The bandage should stay on for 3–5 days – ideally 5 days, and no longer.
Showering and water
The bandage is waterproof, so you can shower without any problem. I do recommend waiting 3–4 hours before the area gets wet, though – ideally until the next morning.
That gives the adhesive longer to set, and makes it more likely that the bandage stays in place for all 5 days.
Blood and fluid under the bandage
It is normal for the area under the bandage to bleed a little and look cloudy, as the skin releases some blood and plasma. That is generally nothing to worry about, and the bandage should simply stay on.
If, on the other hand, you can see blood or fluid leaking out from under the bandage, it must be removed straight away. Then wash the tattoo with a mild, fragrance-free soap. Once the barrier is broken, bacteria can get in.
When should the bandage be removed?
The same applies if the bandage is peeling halfway off, or if the barrier is broken in any other way. In that case, remove the bandage straight away.
If the bandage is still in place after 5 days, or if you want to take it off earlier, you can do it in the shower. Peel it off slowly under warm water, and then wash the tattoo with a mild, fragrance-free soap.
Does the tattoo need cream afterwards?
If the bandage has stayed on the tattoo for at least 3 days, you usually do not need to apply cream afterwards.
The bandage speeds up the healing process so much that cream is often unnecessary. I therefore recommend making an active effort to keep the bandage in place for at least 3 days.
Look after the bandage for the first few days
Avoid activities and exercises where there is a risk of the bandage being scraped off too early. The same goes for very tight-fitting clothing.
If the bandage falls off too early
If the bandage falls off within the first 3 days, I recommend letting the tattoo air-dry for 2 days. After that you can apply a thin layer of Panthenol cream morning and evening.
If the bandage starts to irritate the skin, or if you develop signs of an allergic reaction, it must be removed straight away.
The first 2 weeks after your tattoo
It is important to avoid the following for 2 weeks after getting your tattoo:
- Sunbeds
- Sun
- Sauna
- Swimming pools
- Seawater
- Long baths
If you are going out in the sun, your tattoo must be covered – either with a high-factor sunscreen (50+) or with clothing.
After 4–6 weeks your tattoo should be healed enough to judge whether a touch-up is needed. One touch-up is always included in the price within 3 months.
Your tattoo should be fully healed after a couple of months.
If you have any questions along the way, you are always welcome to contact me by email or by DM on Instagram. I usually reply fastest on Instagram.
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions, you’re more than welcome to contact me.
