Which cream should I use?

A fragrance-free basic lotion or a balm made for tattoos. What matters is that it is fragrance-free and applied thinly. Pharmacies carry several suitable options, and Bepanthen is a classic recommended by many studios.

How long do I keep moisturizing?

Active aftercare lasts 2-3 weeks, until the peeling has ended. After that, regular moisturizing keeps the colors bright for years.

When can I go to the sauna?

At Nero we recommend a three-week break. If the tattoo is still peeling or the skin is still red at that point, wait longer.

Can I get the tattoo wet?

A quick shower is fine as soon as the covering is off. Avoid long hot showers directly on the tattoo and pat the area dry right after. Baths, swimming and the sauna wait until the surface has healed.

The tattoo looks dull under the peeling skin. Did the ink come out?

No. The tattoo looks cloudy under the layer of flaking skin, but the colors brighten once the new skin layer has formed. If clear gaps remain after healing, contact the studio.

Tattoo Aftercare Instructions | Nero Tattoo Tampere

A fresh tattoo is a superficial wound, and once you leave the studio its healing is in your hands. The instructions are short: wash, apply a thin layer of cream, and stay out of the sauna. The step-by-step version is below.

The first hours at home

At the end of the session the tattoo is covered either with a self-adhesive aftercare film or with cling wrap. Follow the instructions your artist gave you, since the type of covering decides the first steps.

Always wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
Remove cling wrap after a few hours. Aftercare film stays on as instructed by your artist, typically 1-5 days.
Rinse the tattoo with lukewarm water. On the first day water alone is enough; no soap needed.
Pat dry with paper towel. Never rub.
Leave the tattoo without cream on the first day. Start moisturizing the next day.

Plasma and ink collecting under the aftercare film looks alarming but is completely normal. If the aftercare film's edge lifts and water or dirt gets underneath, remove the film and continue with the daily routine below.

The daily routine for three weeks

From the second day on, the routine is the same every day: wash 1-2 times with lukewarm water, with a mild fragrance-free soap if needed, and moisturize 2-3 times with a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion or tattoo balm. A thin layer is the key, because the skin needs to breathe. A thick layer of cream smothers the skin and can lift the scabs too early.

The surface usually heals in 2-3 weeks. On days 4-14 the tattoo peels and itches: do not scratch and do not pick at the flakes, since ink can come off with the scabs. The deeper layers of skin finish healing only after 2-3 months.

What to avoid, and for how long?

Sauna: three weeks. Heat and humidity soften healing skin and give bacteria ideal conditions.
Swimming and ice swimming: 3-4 weeks, until the surface has fully healed. Chlorine irritates, and natural waters are full of bacteria.
Sun: completely during healing; cover the area with clothing. Once healed, at least SPF 30 whenever the tattoo is in the sun.
Gym: light training is fine after a few days. During the first week, avoid sports where the area rubs against clothing or equipment, and wash the tattoo after training.
Tight or dirty clothes over the tattooed area for the whole healing period.

Normal healing or an infection?

Redness, swelling, weeping plasma and a feeling of warmth belong to the first days. Itching and peeling belong to the second week.

If the redness spreads, the pain gets worse day by day, or the wound oozes pus, it may be infected: contact your health centre or call the Finnish out-of-hours medical helpline 116 117. We cover the warning signs in detail in our guide to infected tattoos.