How do I take care of my tattoo so it heals well?

We recommend the following steps if you want your tattoo to heal well and stay beautiful for ever:

​

Things you should get before your appointment:
 

• pH-neutral soap or shower gel

• Healing ointment (for example Bepanthene Plus, Bepanthen Antisept in Germany, Vitawund, Pantothen, Heile-Heile, Hustlebutter, Tattoo-Med, Easy-Tattoo – there are countless options). If you have a bandage allergy and cannot tolerate our second-skin dressing, make sure to get an ointment that is suitable for open wounds (such as Bepanthen or similar from the pharmacy). Tattoo creams from drugstores should only be used once the foil is removed after 3–4 days and the wound is closed.

• Sun, sauna, tanning beds, thermal baths, and swimming are off-limits for 7–14 days after getting tattooed (timing depends on your design and metabolism). This needs to be considered when planning holidays. Water and sauna mainly involve infection risks, which no longer apply once the skin is fully closed. More importantly, fresh tattoos must be protected from direct sunlight.

• Avoid taking antibiotics, cortisone, or blood-thinning medication. Antibiotics can cause severe inflammation or complications during healing. They must be stopped at least one week before the appointment, and treatment can only be resumed about one month after the tattoo. Cortisone tablets change the skin structure and can cause the tattoo to bleed out. If you take any of these medications, talk to your doctor beforehand. 

After your tattoo has been done:

​

• Wash your hands thoroughly. Remove the bandage after 3–4 hours and discard it. Special dressings like Suprasorb (transparent second-skin film) should stay on for at least 24 hours and no longer than 4 days. Remove it slowly under warm water and wash the area. Dry-Loc pads (the ones that look like sanitary pads) should stay on for at least 4 hours, ideally 8–12 hours until the next morning, so that excess color, wound fluid, blood, and water can be absorbed (this usually reduces scabbing).

• Wash the tattoo gently with clean water and pH-neutral, fragrance-free soap or shower gel. Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel, or let it air-dry. Avoid rubbing. Redness and swelling are completely normal.

• Apply a very thin layer of healing ointment (Bepanthen, Vitawund, Pantothen, Heile-Heile, Hustlebutter, etc.) two to three times daily for the next two weeks. Keep the layer thin because thick application leads to more scabbing. Apply more often instead of using too much at once. You will notice immediately when the tattoo feels dry. Always wash your hands before applying ointment.

  Do not cover the tattoo anymore after this. Let it heal openly in the air (no more foil).

• Avoid sauna, tanning beds, chlorinated water, and salt water for 1–2 weeks. A fresh tattoo is an open wound and must be protected from bacteria and environmental irritation. “Off-limits” truly means off-limits. Once the wound is closed and there is no scab left, you can swim again.

• Only shower, do not take baths. Bathing softens the scab and can lead to patchy healing.

• Do not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight for 5–7 weeks. The top layer of skin has been damaged and needs time to regenerate. You currently have no natural UV protection, and your tattoo can literally get sunburned.

• Get a strong sunblock (SPF 50+). It does not need to be a special tattoo sunscreen; any natural, high-protection sunscreen is fine. The fewer unnecessary chemicals, the better.

• Keep using sun protection later on as well. The skin over your tattoo should not get too tanned. The darker the skin above the tattoo, the more faded the tattoo will look. Sun-induced cell damage or discoloration cannot be reversed, so proper care is essential. Good sun protection keeps your tattoo crisp and bright for the long term.

• After 3–4 days a scab may form (similar to a scraped knee) and itching can begin. Do not scratch. Swelling, redness, or even bruising can occur in rare cases and are normal at the beginning. If you have questions, just contact us. Healing takes longer around inner elbows, wrists, ankles, and knees because of movement and stretching. Redness and swelling are normal in these areas.

• Avoid irritating detergents and cheap clothing dyed with harsh chemicals during healing. These dyes can be absorbed by the warm skin and irritate or inflame the tattoo. Avoid coarse tights and wool sweaters. Wearing old, dark cotton clothing is ideal. Keep pets (especially dogs and cats) and pet hair away from your tattoo to prevent allergies or complications.

• Use basic common sense. Treat the tattoo like a larger scrape or burn wound.

• If you have questions or any complications, contact us immediately. We will help right away.

• No question is ever “too silly”, so ask us first rather than risking problems.

   

  Wishing you lots of joy with your new tattoo.

  Love,
  Eva & Bob

​

Legal Information:

Emergency number of the dermatology department at the Salzburg regional hospital: +43 (0) 5 7255-24601. (Please contact us first in case of general questions. We can advise you and, if needed, refer you further.)