Wash your hands before touching the tattoo
Gently clean the tattoo with mild, fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water
Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel
Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free antibiotic ointment only if advised by a healthcare professional
Keep the tattoo clean and dry
Avoid picking, scratching, or peeling the area
Avoid soaking the tattoo in baths, pools, hot tubs, or lakes
Avoid tight clothing that rubs the tattoo
Stop using any products that irritate the skin
Seek medical care promptly if redness spreads, pain worsens, swelling increases, pus develops, fever occurs, or red streaks appear
Contact the tattoo artist if you need aftercare guidance
See a doctor immediately if you have diabetes, a weakened immune system, or signs of a severe infection