A Simple Tattoo Aftercare Guide
Getting a new tattoo is exciting, meaningful, and often deeply personal. Whether you're marking a life transition, honouring someone you love, or simply making yourself feel more like you, your tattoo becomes part of your story.
As a floral tattoo artist based in Toronto, one of the most common questions my clients ask is:
“How do I look after a tattoo?”
The good news is that tattoo aftercare is simple. With a little care and consistency, your tattoo will heal beautifully.
Below is the same aftercare guidance I share with every client who visits my tattoo studio in Toronto.
First things first: be kind to yourself
Getting tattooed is an experience for both your body and your nervous system.
After your appointment, the most important thing you can do is slow down and give your body time to recover.
- Plan in some rest time.
- Take it easy.
- Eat your favourite snacks.
Many of my clients who visit my private tattoo studio in Toronto treat their tattoo session as a self-care day! A moment to be kind to yourself.
So give yourself permission to rest.
Step 1: Keep your tattoo clean
Cleanliness is the most important part of tattoo aftercare.
Your tattoo is essentially an open wound while it heals, so keeping it clean is essential.
Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo!!!
How to clean your tattoo
- Keep your bandage on for 3–4 hours.
- Wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
- Remove the bandage in a clean bathroom.
- Wash your tattoo gently with unscented soap and warm water (I recommend THIS cleanser)
- Use clean hands (no cloths or sponges).
- Pat your tattoo dry with paper towels or a fresh clean towel.
Repeat this twice a day until your tattoo is fully healed.
It's also important to use:
- clean towels
- clean bedding
- clean clothing
- only unscented products!
Small details like this make a big difference while your tattoo heals.
Step 2: Moisturise your tattoo
As your tattoo heals, your skin will naturally dry out.
You may notice:
- dryness
- flaking
- light scabbing
This is completely normal and part of the healing process.
Use a plain unscented white lotion to moisturise your tattoo. I recommend THIS ONE.
Apply a small amount as needed. Twice a day works well for most people, but if your tattoo feels dry you can increase the frequency.
A important tip:
Increase the frequency, not the quantity. Your tattoo should feel lightly hydrated, not smothered.
Things you shouldn't do while your tattoo heals
Even the best tattoo artists in Toronto will tell you that healing mistakes can affect how a tattoo settles into the skin.
Here are a few important things to avoid.
Don’t scratch or pick your tattoo
Your tattoo will itch as it heals, that’s completely normal.
But scratching or picking can damage your tattoo and affect the final result.
Don’t soak your tattoo
Avoid soaking your tattoo in:
- baths
- swimming pools
- lakes or oceans
- hot tubs
- saunas
Showers are completely fine, just avoid prolonged soaking.
Avoid direct sun exposure
Sun exposure can fade tattoos and damage healing skin.
Stay out of the sun while your tattoo heals, and always apply sunblock once your tattoo is fully healed to protect the artwork long-term.
How long does a tattoo take to heal?
Everyone heals at a different speed.
Most tattoos will:
- stop flaking after around 1–2 weeks
- fully settle after around 3–4 weeks
Continue your aftercare routine until your skin feels completely normal again.
If you ever have questions about healing, it’s always best to contact your tattoo artist directly rather than relying on random advice online!
Examples of healed tattoos
Below are examples of healed floral tattoos I've done at my Toronto tattoo studio, showing how blackwork tattoos settle and age over time...
3 months healed floral tattoo by Toronto tattoo artist Lu Loram-Martin showing how fine line tattoo details heal over time.
6 months healed floral tattoo by Toronto tattoo artist Lu Loram-Martin showing how blackwork tattoos age over time.
Nine month healed peony tattoo by Toronto tattoo artist Lu Loram-Martin showing soft blackwork shading and healed linework.
Two year healed floral blackwork tattoo with botanical elements by Toronto tattoo artist Lu Loram-Martin.
3.5 year healed floral tattoo by Toronto tattoo artist Lu Loram-Martin showing how blackwork tattoos age over time.
Looking for a tattoo artist in Toronto?
If you're considering getting tattooed and are searching for:
- a floral tattoo artist in Toronto
- a blackwork tattoo studio
- feminine tattoos for women
- or a custom tattoo in Toronto
If you're considering getting tattooed, you can learn more about my floral and blackwork tattoo work in Toronto on my website.
You can also read about how to book a tattoo appointment.
My private studio is based in Corktown, Toronto, where I create expressive botanical tattoos that honour identity, memory, and transformation.
Final reminder: keep it simple
Tattoo aftercare doesn’t need to be complicated.
Just remember:
✔ Keep it clean
✔ Moisturise lightly with unscented products like THESE
✔ Avoid scratching or picking
✔ Don’t soak the tattoo
✔ Protect it from the sun
Your body knows how to heal — you're simply supporting the process.
If you’ve been tattooed by me and found this guide helpful, I’d be incredibly grateful if you left a review:
Your support helps more people find my work when searching for tattoo artists and tattoo studios in Toronto.
Thanks so much!
Lu
Please note: links in this blog post maybe affiliate links where I will earn a tiny commission on anything purchased through the link, I only link products I truly recommend.