Tattoo Aftercare 101: How to Heal Your New Ink

Tattoo Aftercare 101: How to Heal Your New Ink

Whether it’s your first tattoo or your fifteenth, proper aftercare is non-negotiable. Healing your tattoo the right way makes all the difference between a bold, long-lasting piece—and one that fades, scars, or gets infected.

At Royal Nine Tattoo in East Dallas, we’ve worked with hundreds of clients from Balch Springs, Pleasant Grove, and across the DFW area. Our goal? To make sure your ink heals clean and looks amazing for years to come.

Here’s your complete guide to tattoo aftercare—what to do (and what to avoid) after you leave our shop.

🕒 Step 1: Right After Your Tattoo

Once your artist finishes, they’ll clean the area and apply a sterile bandage or medical-grade wrap.

✅ DO:

• Leave the bandage on for 2–4 hours (unless otherwise instructed).

• Wash your hands before touching your tattoo.

• Gently remove the wrap, rinse the area with lukewarm water and mild, unscented soap (like Dial or Dr. Bronner’s).

• Pat dry with a clean paper towel.

❌ DON’T:

• Re-bandage your tattoo unless specifically instructed.

• Use a dirty towel or cloth to dry it.

• Scratch, rub, or pick at the fresh ink.

💧 Step 2: Moisturize & Maintain

After the first wash, your skin will start to feel tight or dry. Apply a thin layer of tattoo aftercare ointment or fragrance-free lotion (like Aquaphor or Lubriderm) 2–3 times a day.

✅ Keep It Moisturized
Just enough to prevent cracking—but not too much to clog the pores. You want your skin to breathe while staying protected.

Balch Springs clients often ask:
Can I use shea butter or coconut oil?
Stick to artist-recommended products. Oils can irritate healing skin or cause breakouts.

🚫 Step 3: What to Avoid During Healing

This is where most people slip up. The first 2–3 weeks are critical.

Avoid:

• Swimming (no pools, lakes, or hot tubs)

• Direct sun exposure

• Heavy workouts that cause sweating

• Tight clothing rubbing against the tattoo

• Fragrance or alcohol-based products

If you’re from Dallas or Balch Springs and work outside or stay active, cover the area loosely with clean, breathable fabric and take extra care during peak healing (days 3–10).

🧼 What Healing Looks Like

Expect:

• Mild redness or swelling (Day 1–3)

• Peeling and flaking (Day 4–7)

• Itching as new skin forms (Day 7–14)

All of that is normal.

Don’t panic if:

• The tattoo looks dull while healing (that’s the skin regenerating)

• A light scab forms (don’t pick it!)

🎯 Long-Term Tattoo Care in Dallas Weather

Texas sun is no joke. Once healed, SPF is your tattoo’s best friend—especially in the summer. Use sunscreen (SPF 30+) on exposed tattoos to prevent fading.

Dallas locals, listen up:
Sun-faded tattoos are one of the biggest reasons people come to us for touch-ups or cover-ups. Protect your ink!

💬 Questions? We’ve Got You.

At Royal Nine Tattoo, we walk every client through aftercare instructions before they leave our Dallas shop. If you’re in Balch Springs, Pleasant Grove, or anywhere in the DFW area and need help healing your tattoo, don’t hesitate to call or stop by.

📍 Visit or Call Royal Nine Tattoo

Royal Nine Tattoo
9585 Scyene Rd, Dallas, TX
🕒 Open daily | Walk-ins welcome
📞 Book now or get aftercare help