AFTERCARE // HEAVY WORK — PAD ONLY CARE

Your tattoo is covered with an absorbent pad.
This pad absorbs plasma, blood and excess ink during the first hours of healing.

Heavy tattoos often release significantly more fluid than lighter tattoos.

FIRST BANDAGE:

Keep the pad on for 3–6 hours.
During this time the tattoo may leak plasma and ink.
This is completely normal.

After 3–6 hours, remove the pad and wash the tattoo.

FIRST WASH:

Wash your hands.
Wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap.
Gently remove plasma and ink.
Do not scrub.

Pat dry with paper towel or allow it to air dry.

Avoid using regular towels for about 4–5 days, as they may contain bacteria and fibers that can irritate the tattoo.

FIRST NIGHT:

After washing the tattoo, apply a clean absorbent pad for the first night.
Remove it in the morning and wash the tattoo again.

pads stage:

After the first one ot two nights the tattoo should usually remain uncovered, unless:

• clothing is rubbing the tattoo
• the tattoo is still leaking fluid
• you work in a dirty environment and tattoo will be exposed

If there is still fluid, use the extra pads I gave you and change them every ~6–8 hours until leaking stops.

For the first 4 days wash the tattoo twice per day and dry with paper towels.
After that, normal daily showering is enough.

Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer after washing.

Use thin layers only, but keep the skin moisturised and don’t let it scab!
For blackout or big black spots it’s extra important to keep the skin constantly moisturised.

Bad moisturising can lead to patchy black that needs future corrections.

Skin should look moisturized but not shiny or greasy.

Moisturize the tattoo 2–3 times per day for about 10–14 days, or until the skin stops peeling, looking dull and feels like your usual skin again.

After that, regular body lotion use is optional, but keeping tattooed skin moisturized helps the tattoo heal evenly and age better over time.

swimming (pools, lakes, sea, hot tubs) — 3–4 weeks
sauna — 3 weeks
direct sun exposure — 4 weeks
tight clothing rubbing the tattoo — 10–14 days
shaving the tattoo area — 3 weeks
soaking the tattoo — 3 weeks
perfumed skincare products — 3 weeks

Heavy black tattoos are especially sensitive to friction during healing.

Wear loose clothing and avoid tight sleeves or waistbands for about 10–14 days.
This actually prevents more patchy healing than most aftercare mistakes.

EXERCISE

0–48 hours

Rest.
Normal walking and daily movement are fine.

Avoid:

• gym training
• sweating
• stretching the tattooed area
• friction from clothing or equipment

3–5 days

Light activity allowed.

This means exercise that:

• does not cause heavy sweating
• does not stretch the tattooed skin
• does not rub against the tattoo

Examples:

• walking
• light stationary cycling
• gentle yoga or mobility work
• light core exercises
• light resistance training not involving the tattoo area

Example:

If the tattoo is on your arm → legs are OK.
If the tattoo is on your leg → upper body is OK.

Avoid:

• running
• intense cardio
• heavy weightlifting
• exercises where clothing or equipment rubs the tattoo

7–10 days

Moderate exercise allowed if the tattooed area is not involved.

This means workouts where:

• the tattoo is not stretched or compressed
• the tattoo does not touch equipment or surfaces

Examples:

• weight training for other body parts
• moderate cycling
• moderate cardio that doesn’t cause excessive sweating

Avoid:

• exercises pressing the tattoo against benches, mats, or machines
• friction from tight clothing
• very intense workouts

14 days

Most workouts are safe.

Examples:

• normal gym workouts
• weightlifting
• running
• cycling
• fitness classes

Still avoid:

• exercises that cause direct rubbing on the tattoo
• very heavy sweating if the skin is still peeling
• contact sports

3 weeks

All exercise is safe.

Important

If exercise causes rubbing, stretching, or irritation of the tattoo, wait longer before returning to that activity.

The tattoo is considered healed when:

• the skin feels smooth
• no flakes or scabs remain
• the skin no longer feels sensitive

Heavy tattoos usually take 2–3 weeks.

week one

The tattoo may:

• swell slightly
• leak plasma
• peel heavily
• feel itchy or tight

This is normal for heavily worked skin.
Do not scratch or pick the tattoo.

week two

Peeling continues.
The tattoo may appear dull or cloudy while the skin regenerates.

week three

Most surface healing is complete.

1. Extremely thin moisturizer

Too much cream is one of the most common causes of patchy black.

Correct amount:
Skin should look soft, not shiny.

2. Avoid friction

Most patchy black actually comes from:

• tight sleeves
• sleeping on the tattoo in bad positions
• gym clothing rubbing

Large tattoos need loose clothing for about 10–14 days.

3. Do not let thick scabs form

Thick scabs pull pigment out.

Correct healing should produce:

• thin flakes
• not hard scabs

If the tattoo feels very dry, apply slightly more moisturizer.

Sun exposure is the main cause of tattoo fading.

Once healed, always use sunscreen (50 SPF or up is best) when the tattoo is exposed to sunlight.

Contact a doctor if you experience:

• excessive swelling
• strong pain
• skin that feels very hot
• yellow or green discharge
• fever above 38°C

In most cases things feel worse than they are or it just gives anxiety. Most times worried clients send pictures of something they think is wrong - I’m able to guide you on what is happening and you don’t need to visit or contact a doctor in most cases. It’s usually temporary reactions, rashes, irritations, but nothing serious or anything that the doctor would help with and it just needs course correction and time.

But if you feel anxious about it or wanna make sure - please, of course do! And if I have even the slightest feeling that I’m not sure what is happening or I think you should go to the doctor just in case - I will tell you so immediately. Dm me in instagram or e-mail.

I checked brands against the BDS-safe list (https://bdsmovement.net/what-bds),
but please, let me know if you think it’s not a brand that should be supported.

These are usually considered vegan-friendly and cruelty-free brands.

good fragrance-free creams:

• LV Moisturizing Cream / Perusvoide
• L300 Sensitive Face & Body Cream
• Miniderm Cream
• Aqualan L Cream
• The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors
• Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Cream

good fragrance-free soaps:

• LV Sensitive Liquid Soap
• Sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash
• Erisan Sensitive Liquid Soap
• The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser

whatever product you choose:

• fragrance-free
• no essential oils
• thin layers only
• skin should look moisturized, not greasy