• Lettering

• Black and Grey

• Illustrative and Abstract Tattoos

Your new tattoo is a fresh wound and requires careful treatment. Proper aftercare ensures the best healing, reduces risk of infection, and keeps your ink looking crisp for years to come.

1. The First 24 Hours

• Keep the bandage or wrap applied by your artist on for the recommended time (usually 2–4 hours, unless otherwise instructed).

• Wash your hands before touching your tattoo—every time.

• Gently wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and fragrance-free, antibacterial soap. Pat dry with a clean paper towel, never rub.

2. Cleaning & Moisturizing

• Wash 2–3 times daily with unscented soap and lukewarm water.

• Apply a very thin layer of a tattoo-safe ointment or fragrance-free lotion (Aquaphor, Hustle Butter, or similar recommended by your artist).

• Do not over-apply ointments—too much moisture suffocates the skin and can cause fallout.

3. The Big NO-NOs 🚫

These are the most common mistakes that can ruin your tattoo:

• No scented soaps, lotions, or sunblock – chemicals, perfumes, and additives can cause irritation and ink fallout.

• No nails, scratching, or picking – scabs and flakes must fall off naturally, or you risk pulling pigment out.

• No water immersion – avoid beaches, pools, jacuzzis, baths, and lakes until fully healed (2–3 weeks). Submerging introduces bacteria and slows healing.

• No long steamy showers – if your fingers are pruning, you’ve been in the water way too long. Quick rinses only.

• No sun exposure – UV light is the enemy of fresh ink. Keep it covered and avoid direct sunlight.

• No gym or heavy sweating – sweat pushes ink out and breeds bacteria, especially dangerous in the first 3 weeks.

• No getting nails done or salon visits – harsh chemicals, dust, and bacteria can easily contaminate your healing tattoo.

4. Healing Stages

• Days 1–3: Tender, red, swollen. Keep clean and lightly moisturized.

• Days 4–10: Scabbing and flaking. DO NOT pick. Light itchiness is normal.

• Days 10–21: Peeling slows, tattoo looks dull but is still healing underneath.

• After 3 weeks: Skin rebuilds; color and detail sharpen. Continue moisturizing and protect with SPF once fully healed.

5. Long-Term Care

• Once healed, always use sunscreen (SPF 30+), but never on a fresh tattoo.

• Keep moisturized to maintain vibrancy.

• Protect from trauma (scrapes, burns, prolonged friction).

⚠️ Remember: Healing varies from person to person. Average healing time is 2–4 weeks, but full skin recovery takes up to 2–3 months. If you notice excessive swelling, pus, or signs of infection, contact your tattoo artist or a healthcare provider immediately.

For the safety and well-being of both you and your tattoo artist, it is important to be open and honest about your medical history. Certain health conditions and medications can affect how your body responds to a tattoo.

• If you have diabetes, hemophilia, heart conditions, compromised immunity, or any illness that slows healing, please inform your artist before beginning.

• If you are taking blood thinners, antibiotics, or other prescribed medications, these may cause you to bleed more, bruise more easily, or experience delayed healing.

Your artist’s priority is your health and the success of your tattoo. Honesty is the best policy—full disclosure helps us keep you safe, avoid complications, and ensure your tattoo heals properly.

Not all tattoos heal the same, and the way you moisturize depends on the style of tattoo:

• Smaller, less saturated tattoos – Use a light amount of a recommended ointment such as Aquaphor. A thin layer is enough; too much can clog pores and suffocate the skin.

• Heavy blackwork, shading, or color tattoos – These need to stay a little drier during healing. Switch to a fragrance-free lotion such as Aveeno Unscented after the first few days. Apply sparingly and only when the skin feels tight or itchy.

⚠️ Avoid over-washing or over-moisturizing. Too much water or ointment can cause ink fallout, irritation, or delayed healing. The goal is to keep your tattoo clean, slightly hydrated, and never smothered.

Choosing a tattoo style is just as important as choosing the design itself. Each style has unique characteristics, healing patterns, and long-term considerations. Here are some of the most popular options:

1. Traditional (American Traditional / Old School)

• Look: Bold black outlines, solid colors (red, green, yellow), and simple shading.

• Shading: Minimal, usually flat or with whip shading for depth.

• Key Elements: Anchors, roses, eagles, daggers, pin-ups.

• Long Term: Holds up well over time because of bold lines and saturated color.

2. Neo-Traditional

• Look: Similar bold lines to traditional but with a wider color palette and more detail.

• Shading: Smooth gradients, more texture, sometimes soft black & grey blends.

• Key Elements: Animals, portraits, ornate frames, decorative flourishes.

• Long Term: Heals well but finer details may blur after many years—bold outlines help longevity.

3. Black & Grey Realism

• Look: Photorealistic, soft gradients, high contrast, no color.

• Shading: Smooth transitions from light to dark using diluted black ink.

• Key Elements: Portraits, statues, landscapes, animals.

• Long Term: Needs touch-ups sooner than bold styles; subtle shading can fade if overexposed to sun.

4. Color Realism

• Look: Life-like images with bright, blended colors and soft edges.

• Shading: Smooth transitions with color layering; little to no outline.

• Key Elements: Portraits, fantasy art, surreal designs.

• Long Term: Vibrant at first but color can fade faster; requires diligent sun protection.

5. Fine Line / Minimalist

• Look: Thin, delicate line work, often small and simple designs.

• Shading: Rarely shaded, sometimes light dotwork or very soft grey.

• Key Elements: Script, tiny florals, symbols, geometric shapes.

• Long Term: More prone to fading or blurring; placement and skin type matter a lot.

6. Blackwork

• Look: Solid black ink, heavy fill, large coverage areas.

• Shading: Usually solid fill or graphic gradients.

• Key Elements: Tribal, abstract, geometric, bold designs.

• Long Term: Strong longevity if well done, but requires proper healing to avoid patchy fallout.

7. Japanese (Irezumi)

• Look: Large-scale body suits or sleeves with flowing compositions.

• Shading: Bold black outlines with smooth color fills and gradients.

• Key Elements: Koi fish, dragons, waves, cherry blossoms, masks.

• Long Term: Designed for long-lasting impact; solid color and composition help it age gracefully.

8. Illustrative

• Look: A mix between realism and traditional drawing styles (sketchy or painterly).

• Shading: Can be bold or soft, often with artistic textures like crosshatching.

• Key Elements: Mythical creatures, nature, abstract concepts.

• Long Term: Ages better when combined with bold lines; lighter sketchy elements may fade.

9. Dotwork / Geometric

• Look: Built from dots, lines, and patterns—sometimes forming mandalas or sacred geometry.

• Shading: Created by varying dot density rather than smooth gradients.

• Key Elements: Mandalas, sacred geometry, patterns, symmetry.

• Long Term: Holds up well if dots are placed consistently; very small details may blur over decades.

10. Watercolor

• Look: Painterly, soft blends of color with little to no outline.

• Shading: Uses brushstroke effects, washes, and gradients.

• Key Elements: Splashes of color, abstract forms, florals, animals.

• Long Term: Fades faster without bold outlines—needs sun protection and touch-ups to keep vibrancy.

👉 Tip for Clients:When picking a style, think not only about what looks great today, but also how it will age over 5, 10, or 20 years. Bold outlines and saturated color hold up the longest, while ultra-fine lines and light shading may require more maintenance.