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HOW TO HEAL A NEW TATTOO

You just got tattooed at Lucky Gator. Here's exactly what to do for the next month. If anything here contradicts what your artist told you in the chair, do what your artist said.

THE TIMELINE

Hour 1-4

Leave the wrap on for as long as your artist told you. Don't rush this. If you were sent home in adhesive film, it can stay on for a few days, ask which one you have.

First wash

Clean hands first. Lukewarm water, fragrance-free antibacterial soap, fingertips only, no cloths, no loofahs. Rinse until it stops feeling slippery. Pat dry with a clean paper towel, never a bath towel.

Day 1-3

Wash two or three times a day. A very thin layer of aftercare ointment after each wash, thin enough that the skin still looks matte. Smothering it traps bacteria and pulls ink out.

Day 3-7

It'll start to flake and it'll itch. Let it. Switch from ointment to a plain fragrance-free lotion. Slap it if the itch is unbearable; don't scratch.

Week 2-3

Flaking finishes. The tattoo may look cloudy or dull, that's a layer of new skin over the top, not a failed tattoo. Keep moisturising.

Week 4+

Surface is healed. Deeper layers keep settling for a couple of months. Sunscreen from here on, forever, sun is the single biggest reason old tattoos look bad.

AFTERCARE

PIERCING AFTERCARE

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Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before touching your piercing.

  • Use a sterile saline solution (like RECOVERY saline spray) to clean the piercing. No more than twice daily.

  • Gently rinse the piercing and remove any dried matter. Do not scrub or rotate the jewelry. 

  • Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel. Avoid using cloth towels or cotton swabs, which can leave behind fibers. 

  • Rinse the piercing thoroughly after showers or baths to remove any soap residue.  

 

Oral Piercings

  • Wash your hands thoroughly before touching or cleaning the piercing. 

  • Use sterile saline solution; rinse the piercing twice a day and after meals. 

  • Brush your teeth with a new, soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse your mouth with saline or an alcohol-free mouthwash morning and night.

  • Rinse thoroughly with water after cleaning to remove all residue. 

  • Gently remove discharge or crust with a gauze soaked in saline solution.

  • After eating rinse with clean water.

 

What to Avoid

  • Do not touch the piercing except for cleaning. 

  • Do not rotate or move the jewelry. 

  • Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, ointments, or harsh/fragranced soaps. 

  • Avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, lakes, or oceans until your piercing is fully healed. 

  • Keep clean sheets and clothes on your body and near the piercing. 

  • Avoid playing with your jewelry to prevent irreversible damage to your teeth and gums. 

  • Limit or avoid smoking, caffeine, alcohol, spicy or hot foods, and dairy products: during the healing process. 

  • Refrain from oral contact with others and their body fluids. 

 

What to Watch For

  • Normal swelling/bleeding is common in the first few days. 

  • Contact your piercer if you notice signs of infection, such as excessive soreness, redness, swelling, or oozing puss. 

  • If you suspect a severe infection, consult a medical professional. 

AFTERCARE
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