Care
Mistakes by Stage
The mistakes that matter most at each stage of a tattoo’s life.
Care
Top 10 mistakes.
The habits that cost tattoos their clarity, and exactly what to do instead.
Build my care planSun straight after the chair
UV is the biggest long-term threat to a tattoo. It fades pigment and ages the skin that holds it, so over time lines soften and blur.
Do this instead
Keep a healing tattoo covered and out of the sun. Once fully healed, SHIELD every morning.
Back to the gym too soon
Sweat, friction and shared equipment are hard on a healing tattoo, and stretching pulls at skin that is still closing.
Do this instead
Rest the area for the first week, then ease back in with the tattoo clean, covered and free from rubbing.
Scratching and picking
Itching is a normal part of healing. Lifting a flake before it is ready can take ink with it and leave patchy, lighter areas.
Do this instead
Let flakes fall on their own. A thin layer of LOCK eases the itch, and a gentle tap beats a scratch.
A drink for courage
Alcohol increases bleeding and weeping during the appointment, makes healing harder, and reputable studios will turn you away.
Do this instead
Save the celebration for afterwards. Arrive hydrated, fed and sober.
Tight clothing
Friction and pressure on a fresh tattoo cause irritation and can leave healing patchy.
Do this instead
Wear loose, soft, breathable fabric over the area until it has fully healed.
Kitchen-cupboard aftercare
Coconut oil, thick layers of petroleum jelly and other home remedies were never made for freshly tattooed skin. Some sit too heavily, some irritate.
Do this instead
Use a light aftercare made for tattooed skin, in thin layers. LOCK is petrolatum-free.
Sticking to the sheets
A fresh tattoo weeps overnight and can stick to bedding. Pulling it free can lift ink.
Do this instead
Sleep on clean sheets. If fabric sticks, wet it with lukewarm water to release it. Never pull.
Hot, high-pressure showers
Very hot water and a strong stream irritate healing skin and soften it too much.
Do this instead
Short, lukewarm showers with a gentle cleanser, then pat dry with a clean towel.
Forgetting about it once healed
Two weeks of perfect care, then nothing. Fading is slow, then suddenly obvious.
Do this instead
Protect every day with SHIELD, and refresh with LUME when the ink starts to look dull.
Experimenting with actives
Retinoids, strong acids, scrubs and peels can irritate healing or fragile skin.
Do this instead
Keep actives away from a healing tattoo. Choose skincare made for tattooed skin and marked Ink-Safe™.
Your care plan
Avoid them all, automatically.
Your care plan maps every step with real dates, so nothing gets missed.
The Tattoo Care Guide
Every stage in full, with your own dated plan.
Mistakes by stageBefore, during and after your appointment.
Top 10 mythsWhat people still believe, and what is true.
This guide is general skincare information, not medical advice. Always follow your artist’s instructions, and speak to your doctor if your tattoo looks infected, irritated or is not healing as expected.
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