Proper aftercare for a fresh tattoo is just as important as the tattooing process itself. If you want your colours to remain vibrant and your lines crisp, it is essential to care for your healing tattoo with maximum attention and consistency.
A fresh tattoo is essentially an open wound, which is why it is always covered with a protective film immediately after completion. At Root Down, we use modern self-adhesive “Second Skin” film, while larger pieces may be covered with traditional cling film.
Each covering method requires slightly different aftercare, but one essential rule always applies: before touching or caring for your tattoo, thoroughly wash your hands with antibacterial soap.
Aftercare with “Second Skin” Film
Leave the film on your tattoo for three days. If dark fluid accumulates underneath, there is no need to worry—this is a natural process during which the body releases plasma and small amounts of excess ink.
How to Remove the Film Correctly
After three days, gently remove the film under lukewarm running water by slowly pulling it away at approximately a 90-degree angle to the skin.
Washing Your Tattoo
Use an antibacterial cleanser such as OTZI Easy Tattoo Soft Cleansing Gel or Protex Fresh. Gently wash the tattooed area, rinse thoroughly, and pat dry with a clean paper towel.
Moisturising with Cream
Apply a small amount of tattoo aftercare cream to clean skin. Suitable products include OTZI Easy Tattoo Cream, Bepanthen Plus, or Bepanthen Tattoo. These products moisturise, soothe, and support proper healing without unnecessarily burdening the skin.
Keep your tattoo moisturised, but avoid applying excessively thick layers of cream—exposure to fresh air is essential for proper healing. During the first 14 days, wash and moisturise the tattoo three times a day. For the following week, reduce this routine to twice daily.
Aftercare with Cling Film
The First Night
Leave the film on the tattoo until the evening. Before going to bed, carefully remove it, wash the tattoo with antibacterial soap (such as OTZI Easy Tattoo Soft Cleansing Gel or Protex Fresh), rinse thoroughly, and pat dry. Cover the tattoo again with fresh cling film overnight.
The Second Day
In the morning, remove the film, wash the tattoo again, dry it carefully, and allow it to breathe. We recommend wearing loose-fitting clothing throughout the day. Wash the tattoo several times during the day and, in the evening, apply a healing cream (Easy Tattoo Cream, Bepanthen Plus, or Bepanthen Tattoo) for the first time, allowing it to absorb fully into the skin.
From the Third Day Onwards
Just as with the Second Skin method, wash and moisturise your tattoo three times a day for the first 14 days. During the following week, continue the routine twice a day.
What You Should NEVER Do While Your Tattoo Is Healing
- Do not pick or remove scabs; they will come off naturally during washing and moisturising.
- Do not soak your tattoo in baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, or natural bodies of water.
- Avoid saunas and tanning beds.
- Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight for at least 4 weeks.
- Avoid friction or pressure on the tattooed area.
- Limit intense physical activity and avoid alcohol during the first 3 days.
Additional Tips for Faster Healing
- Get plenty of sleep and rest.
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients.
- Stay well hydrated.
- Use only high-quality products specifically designed for tattoo aftercare.
- Avoid stress and excessive physical strain.
- Listen to your body—if something irritates your tattoo, avoid it.
Itching During the Healing Process
During the final stage of healing, it is completely normal for your tattoo to become itchy. However, it is very important not to scratch it. Scratching can remove flakes of skin along with pigment particles and may introduce bacteria that can cause infection. Applying a very small amount of aftercare cream and gently massaging the area with your fingertip can help relieve the itching. If the urge becomes too strong, you may very carefully scratch over your clothing instead. Never scratch directly on the skin with your fingernails!
Long-Term Tattoo Care
Even after your tattoo has fully healed, ongoing care is important because the condition of your skin directly affects how vibrant the colours and sharp the lines will remain over time. Tattooed skin is more sensitive and, without regular protection, may gradually fade or lose definition.
As a basic form of protection, we recommend using sunscreen with a high SPF rating (SPF 30 or higher) whenever you spend time in the sun. This helps prevent UV damage, which is the most common cause of tattoo fading.
To preserve the vibrancy of your tattoo and maintain healthy-looking skin, we also recommend using high-quality body lotions or creams that provide long-term hydration and nourishment. Well-cared-for skin remains more supple, helping your tattoo stay fresh, vibrant, and clearly defined for years to come.
All OTZI Easy Tattoo products are available directly at our Root Down studio. We will be happy to help you choose the product best suited to your tattoo and skin type.