A tattoo is, first and foremost, a serious injury to the skin. Countless needle pricks pierce through several layers of skin, and then pigments are introduced as foreign bodies into areas where the body cannot break them down. To ensure that the tattoo heals quickly and looks good, proper care is essential—just as it is with any wound. But proper tattoo care can do even more. It ensures that your tattoo remains vibrant and clearly visible even after many years.
It’s normal for tattoos to fade and blur over time. But with the right tattoo care, you can slow down this natural process.
Special care for tattooed skin: A great idea!
Tattoos age just like your skin—and along with it. You can slow down the aging process of your skin by using various skincare products tailored specifically to your skin’s needs. But when pigments are embedded under the skin, your skincare routine needs to be a little different. After all, those pigments need care, too. That’s why tattoo care is always a good idea.
By "tattoo care," however, we don't just mean caring for the injured skin immediately after getting inked, but also long-term care once the healing phase is complete. This can help slow down what's known as "tattoo aging"—the fading and blurring of the tattoo. Skin researchers have now developed numerous care products that protect tattooed skin and keep your tattoo looking great for a long time.
Get your tattoo in 3 steps
You’ll receive a personalized tattoo consultation. Contact us via email or Superchat (click the icon in the bottom right corner).
Book your appointment.
In a relaxed atmosphere, we'll make your dream tattoo a reality.
Proper Tattoo Care
Tattoo aftercare changes over time. You care for your tattoo differently right after getting it than you do once it has fully healed. Here’s what ideal tattoo aftercare looks like:
1. Immediately after pricking:
- Apply a breathable bandage.
- Wash your hands first, and wash the tattoo with mild soap before applying the bandage.
Idealerweise macht das schon der Tätowierer, Du kannst das aber auch zu Hause tun.
2. Six to eight hours after the prick test:
- Ideally, the bandage should just stay on.
- If too much wound fluid has collected underneath, change the bandage.
- Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly first, rinse the tattoo with mild soap, and pat it dry with a lint-free cloth. Let it air dry briefly before applying the new bandage.
3. Days 1 through 4 after the harvest:
- The bandage will stay on as long as possible.
- The bandage should only be changed if too much wound fluid has accumulated underneath it.
- When changing the bandage, wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a pH-neutral soap.
- After washing, gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean, lint-free towel. Do not rub under any circumstances! Do not apply the bandage until the tattoo is completely dry.
4. Starting on the fourth day after the harvest:
- Remove the bandage completely; your skin can manage without it now. Exception: clothing that rubs against the area. You should avoid wearing such clothing if possible.
- You're still avoiding sports and swimming.
- Wear only loose-fitting clothing over the tattoo.
- Keep your tattoo clean.
- Depending on your skin type, apply a thin layer of special cream at least once in the morning and once in the evening, but possibly up to six times a day. A skin care cream that helps the skin heal after injuries is ideal (e.g., SKIN STORIES Rapid Repair Balms).
- Wash your hands before applying the cream so you don't introduce any germs.
5. Starting in the third week after pruning:
- Take care of your skin and your tattoo every day with a daily lotion that moisturizes and ideally has an SPF of 6 or higher.
- Dry and rough skin requires special care, such as the SKIN STORIES Defining Serum.
6. Before sunbathing:
- Whenever the sun's rays hit your tattoo, make sure to protect it from UV radiation.
- A special cream for tattooed skin with SPF 50+ is best suited for this purpose. That's because intense sunlight can cause your tattoo to fade.
Things to Avoid When Caring for a Tattoo
There are a few things your tattoo simply can't tolerate. Some of these apply during the healing phase, while others should be avoided at all times. Please note:
- Until your tattoo has fully healed (at least six weeks), long showers, baths, and swimming are strictly off-limits.
- Don't touch it! Until your tattoo has healed, keep your hands off it. This goes especially for scratching. Healing is accompanied by itching. Still, keep your hands off it! Otherwise, you'll end up with scars.
- Make sure to drink plenty of fluids. You need plenty of water and a vitamin-rich diet to help your skin heal.
- Stay out of the sun! UV rays are really bad for pigments. You know how it is: garden furniture and summer clothes fade very quickly. Your tattoo will fade too if you forget to use sunscreen!
What about regular skincare—is that a no-go too? Yes and no. A “run-of-the-mill” body lotion is, of course, always good for the skin as a moisturizer. Even for tattooed skin, it’s better than no skincare at all. But tattooed skin needs more. Tattoo care products generally contain additives that protect the pigments, as well as UV filters to prevent fading. Specialized tattoo care products are admittedly a bit more expensive than “regular” skincare products. But they save you the cost of retouching. By the way, you don’t need 20 different care products: In a pinch, tattoo care products can also be used on non-tattooed skin. After all, these products contain everything that’s good for your skin.
By the way, how you care for your tattoo also depends on where it is on your body: hands and feet, for example, are particularly vulnerable due to frequent washing, friction (from clothing), and frequent exposure to light. You should generally apply moisturizer to these areas more often to prevent your tattoos from fading. The size of your tattoo, on the other hand, has no bearing on how often or how you care for it.
Please note: Red tones fade the fastest. For red tattoos, intensive skin care with high UV protection is recommended.
Special Case: Dry Skin
Heated air, cold, intense heat, and wind—as well as friction from clothing—can lead to dry skin. This skin needs an extra dose of moisture. Tattoos lose their color intensity and look dull when the skin is dry. Make sure to apply moisturizer to dry areas of skin every single day. Specialized tattoo care products for dry skin work particularly well.
By the way, many people who are under stress also tend to have dry skin or even eczema. Do yourself and your tattoo a favor and avoid stress as much as possible.
Tattoo Care in the Summer
In the summer, UV radiation is particularly intense because the sun is high in the sky. However, UV radiation breaks down color pigments, causing your tattoos to fade quickly. Be sure to use a tattoo sunscreen to prevent premature fading and smudging.
Special Cases: Tattoo Care for Specific Skin Types and Skin Conditions
There are plenty of specialized skincare products for every skin type—so it’s only natural to wonder how this applies to tattoos. Tattooed skin is a distinct skin type in itself, meaning that the nuances within tattooed skin are no longer a factor. As a result, skincare products for tattooed skin are generally suitable for all skin types.
Ideally, you should choose a tattoo aftercare product that is free of microplastics, mineral oils, and parabens. If you have very dry skin, simply use the aftercare product more often. And what applies to daily care naturally applies to sun protection as well.
However, if you have a skin condition, you should follow your doctor’s advice when caring for your tattooed skin and use the prescribed medications. After all, only healthy skin will really show off your tattoo to its best advantage. So always apply the medical skin care products prescribed to you first. Once they have been absorbed, you may apply the tattoo care products after ten to twenty minutes (provided your doctor has no objections).