Free template
← All templatesFree tattoo aftercare instructions
Good aftercare is half of how a tattoo looks a year later. Give every client clear instructions they can take home. Here is a simple sheet to start from. Copy or download it, then adjust the wording and timing for the work you do.
Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
The first day
Leave the bandage on for [2 to 24] hours, or as your artist told you.
Wash your hands before you touch the tattoo.
Gently wash it with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap.
Pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub.
Apply a thin layer of the aftercare product your artist recommends.
The first two weeks
Wash the tattoo two to three times a day and moisturize with a thin layer.
Do not pick, scratch, or peel it, even when it flakes or itches.
Avoid soaking it. No baths, pools, hot tubs, or ocean until it is healed.
Keep it out of direct sun. Do not put sunscreen on a fresh tattoo.
Wear loose, clean clothing over the area.
What is normal
Light peeling and flaking, like a sunburn, is normal.
Mild itching and some redness in the first few days is normal.
The tattoo may look dull or cloudy while it heals. The color comes back.
When to get help
Spreading redness, swelling, or heat around the tattoo.
Pus, a bad smell, or a fever.
If you see these signs, contact a healthcare professional.
Questions
Studio or artist: [Studio or artist name]
Contact: [Phone or email]
How to use this template
- Swap the placeholders and the timing in [brackets] for your own instructions.
- Hand it to every client, or send it with their booking so they have it after the session.
- Adjust the wording for the kind of work you do. Delicate and large pieces heal differently.
This is general aftercare guidance. Your artist may adjust it for a specific tattoo. If a client shows signs of infection, they should contact a healthcare professional.
Send aftercare without copy-pasting it every time.
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