Tattoo aftercare
You’ve just joined the Tattooed Llama herd with some brand new ink, but now it’s time to make sure it heals as beautifully as it deserves. Aftercare is where the real magic happens - it’s the quiet, behind-the-scenes phase that keeps your tattoo looking sharp, vibrant, and ready to show off for years to come.
Think of aftercare as the loyal llama companion on your tattoo journey - not the star of the show, but absolutely carrying the weight to make sure everything turns out perfectly. A little attention now saves you from a whole lot of sadness later.
Have a read through the guidelines below so you can give your new tattoo the love it needs. Treat it well, and it’ll reward you with lifelong, llama-approved greatness.
1. Leave your bandage on for as long as your artist recommends.
Every artist has their own method - some may tell you to keep it on for an hour, others for a full day. Trust their advice; they know what’s best for your skin and the tattoo they’ve just created.
3. Pat it dry, don’t rub.
Use a clean paper towel and gently pat the area until it’s completely dry. Rubbing can damage your healing skin.
5. Keep it clean.
Wash your tattoo twice a day using fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water. Continue this routine until it’s fully healed.
7. Hands off! Don’t pick or scratch.
As tempting as it might be, picking at scabs or flakes can cause fading, infection, or even scarring. Let your skin do its thing.
9. No swimming or soaking.
Pools, baths, hot tubs, and open water can all contain bacteria that could harm your tattoo. Stick to short showers until healing is complete.
2. Wash your tattoo gently once the bandage is off.
Use warm water and a fragrance-free soap to carefully remove any dried blood or plasma. Be thorough, but gentle - no scrubbing needed.
4. Apply a thin layer of aftercare lotion.
We recommend Easy Tattoo or Tattoo Goo. Make sure the skin is fully dry, then apply a very thin layer to keep it moisturised and nourished. A little goes a long way!
6. Be patient through the healing process.
Your tattoo isn’t fully protected from bacteria until all scabs and peeling have finished - usually around 2–4 weeks. Keep up your cleaning routine until then.
8. Avoid the sun.
Keep your new tattoo out of direct sunlight and skip the sun lotion until it’s completely healed. UV rays are a tattoo’s worst enemy.
10. Look after it for the long run.
Once healed, protect your tattoo from the sun and keep the skin moisturised. Healthy skin means your tattoo will stay vibrant for years.