Why Investing in your Skincare Matters
Protect your tattoos with aftercare designed by a tattoo professional. Food-grade, chemical-free, and cruelty-free for vibrant, healthy skin.
Take a minute to learn the value in what goes into an optimal tattoo care process to ensure your best tattoo results.
Tattoo Aftercare Guide: How to Heal a Tattoo Step-by-Step (Day by Day)
The Complete Tattoo Aftercare Guide: How to Heal Your Tattoo Step-by-Step
Getting tattooed is only half the process — how you heal it determines how it looks forever.
Proper aftercare protects your investment, keeps lines crisp, prevents scarring, and helps your tattoo heal faster and more comfortably. Whether it’s your first tattoo or your fiftieth, following a simple, consistent routine makes all the difference.
At Black Swan Tattoo Care, we break healing into three simple phases:
Clean It. Heal It. Soothe It.
Here’s exactly what to do — and when.
Why Tattoo Aftercare Matters
A fresh tattoo is technically a controlled wound. Your skin needs time, hydration, and protection to repair itself.
Without proper care, you risk:
Fading or patchy color
Heavy scabbing
Infection
Scarring
Blurred or uneven lines
The goal is simple:
Keep it clean. Keep it lightly moisturized. Don’t irritate it.
Phase 1: CLEAN IT (Days 1–7)
Your first priority is keeping bacteria, sweat, and debris away from your fresh tattoo.
Step 1 — Wash Gently
Thoroughly wash your tattoo with:
Warm water
BSTC Cream Cleanser or a mild, fragrance-free soap
Use clean hands only — no washcloths or loofahs, do NOT scrub.
Step 2 — Pat Dry
Pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
Do not rub, which can irritate or disrupt healing skin.
Step 3 — Avoid Soaking or Sun
For the first 2 weeks: (or until fully healed depending on your personal healing time)
No baths
No swimming pools or oceans, lakes etc.
No hot tubs
No prolonged sun exposure (ideally use a physical sunscreen like a cover up/ SPF protection shirt)
Showering is completely fine — just don’t soak the tattoo.
There’s also no need to overwash. Once or twice daily is enough unless you sweat heavily or get dirty.
Step 4 — Don’t Pick or Scratch
As your tattoo heals, you may notice:
Light scabbing
Peeling
Itching
This is all completely normal.
Do not pick, scratch, or peel, as this can cause:
Patchy healing
Ink loss
Scarring
Permanent imperfections
Let your skin shed naturally.
Phase 2: HEAL IT (Days 1–7)
After cleaning, it’s time to protect and nourish your skin.
Apply a Thin Layer of Healing Balm
For the first week:
Use a very small amount of BSTC Healing Balm
Gently massage it into the tattoo using clean hands only
Apply 1–3 times daily or whenever the skin feels dry, tight, or itchy
Less is more.
Your tattoo should feel hydrated, not greasy or suffocated. Over-moisturizing can slow healing.
What to Expect This Week
During this stage, you may notice:
Redness
Tightness
Light scabbing
Mild itching
These are all normal signs your skin is repairing itself.
Phase 3: SOOTHE IT (Days 7+)
Once heavy peeling and scabbing have passed, your tattoo enters the final healing phase.
Switch to Soothing Salve
After about 7 days:
Apply a thin layer of BSTC Soothing Salve
Use whenever the tattoo feels dry or tight
Continue until fully healed
The salve helps:
Restore softness
Reduce lingering dryness
Brighten healed tattoos
Nourish the skin long-term
Many people continue using it even after healing to keep their tattoos looking bold and fresh.
Tip: The Balm and Salve can be used interchangeably, but together they create an ideal healing progression.
Tattoo Healing Timeline (What’s Normal)
Here’s a quick overview of what most people experience:
Days 1–3: Tender, slightly red, fresh
Days 4–7: Peeling and itching begin
Days 7–14: Skin flakes off, tattoo looks dull temporarily
Weeks 2–4: Skin settles, color returns brighter
Full healing can take 3–4 weeks, sometimes longer for large pieces.
Common Aftercare Mistakes to Avoid
Even great tattoos can heal poorly if you:
- Over-moisturize
- Pick scabs
- Swim too soon
- Use heavily fragranced lotions
- Expose it to sun early
- Overwash or scrub
Keeping your routine simple is always best.
Keep It Simple
Tattoo healing doesn’t need to be complicated. Best approach always is to leave it be as much as possible, the body knows how to heal as long as we don’t get in it’s way. So be smart, use proper products, and don’t mess with it.
Just remember:
Clean It. Heal It. Soothe It.
A gentle cleanser, a nourishing balm, and consistent care will help your tattoo heal smoothly and look its absolute best for years to come.
Your skin — and your artwork — deserve it.
Still unsure what to do? Here are some Frequently Asked Questions for healing your tattoo
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Most tattoos heal on the surface within 2–3 weeks, but complete healing beneath the skin can take 3–4 weeks or longer, depending on size and placement. Larger or heavily saturated tattoos may take slightly more time. Continue moisturizing even after peeling stops to support full recovery.
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Wash your tattoo once or twice per day with warm water and a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. Overwashing can dry and irritate the skin. If you sweat heavily or get dirty, an extra gentle wash is fine.
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Begin applying a thin layer of healing balm immediately after your first wash. Keeping the skin lightly hydrated helps reduce tightness, itching, and heavy scabbing. Avoid thick layers — your skin still needs to breathe.
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Less is more. Use just enough to create a light, breathable layer. Your tattoo should feel soft and hydrated, not greasy or sticky. Over-moisturizing can slow healing.
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Yes. Showering is completely fine and recommended to keep the tattoo clean. Avoid soaking or submerging your tattoo in baths, pools, hot tubs, or oceans for at least 2 weeks or until there’s no visible scabbing.
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Wait until your tattoo is fully healed and finished peeling, usually 2–3+ weeks. Submerging too early can introduce bacteria and soften scabs, which may lead to ink loss or infection.
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Yes — peeling is a completely normal part of the healing process and often feels similar to a mild sunburn. Let the skin shed naturally. Do not pick or peel, as this can cause patchy healing or scarring.
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Avoid:
Fragranced soaps or lotions
Alcohol-based products
Petroleum-heavy ointments
Harsh exfoliants
Stick to gentle, skin-safe, nourishing products designed specifically for healing tattoos.
The most wonderful AND dry time of the year…
Maybe I’m alone in this, but once the colder weather hits I always run into the downfall of this season… dry skin. Being in a field where I wash my hands frequently, working with my hands day in and day out - dry skin is a real issue this time of year.
Our aftercare products here at Black Swan Tattoo Company are intended to be used not only for caring for your fresh, or older tattoos - but any sensitive or dry skin in need of nourishment.
I find the balm especially useful for chapped hands or cuticles, or any areas where you find your skin drying out too fast between applications using traditional lotions.
The salve is also pleasant for when you are starting to feel the tightness in your dry skin start to begin and you’d like something a bit lighter to help it out.
Something a bit lighter to keep your skin moisturized and happy! Our clean ingredient salve leaves a non-greasy finish while still lasting longer than your average lotion application.
When I cook and entertain over the holiday season, I get the red irritated dry hands from the constant, relentless hot water and dish soap. And I get tired of the tightness and pain when I get back to work, so the balm and salve are a real lifesaver during the winter months.
If you’re looking for a gift idea for that hard to shop for tattoo collector, our trio- set of balm, salve and cleanser comes with free shipping. And all of the products should fit smoothly into most stockings if you are looking for some natural stocking stuffers this year!
The gentle cream cleanser is ideal to keep as much moisture as possible in your skin when cleansing vs harsh stripping soaps. Many of our clients find it is gentle enough to be used as a facial cleanser as well as for their tattoos and body.
I created this line to solve a problem for people out there looking for products with simple clean ingredients without all the extra chemicals. And I’m looking forward to more people having the chance to try them out and see how they like it.
If you have any questions about the product line, we have a FAQ PAGE that tries to answer some of the most commonly asked questions. But if you still have some things you need clarified prior to purchase, please feel free to get in touch with us here.
Thank you for checking out our products and stay moisturized out there!
Clean, Conscious Tattoo Aftercare: Meet Our All-Natural Healing Essentials
When it comes to tattoo aftercare, what you put on your skin matters — not just for healing, but for your long-term health and the vibrancy of your well earned body art. That’s why we’re proud to introduce our clean, all-natural line of tattoo aftercare products: the Healing Balm, Soothing Salve, and Cream Cleanser. Each formula is crafted to support your skin’s healing process with food-grade, petroleum-free, and synthetic-free ingredients — because your aftercare routine should be as intentional as the art on your body.
Why Clean Ingredients Matter for Tattooed Skin
Fresh tattoos are essentially open wounds, and applying harsh or synthetic-laden products can lead to irritation, clogged pores, or even delayed healing. Our formulas are:
Paraben-free, petroleum-free, and GMO-free
Made with food-grade (FCC/USP) ingredients
Free from hexane, phenoxyethanol, and synthetic preservatives
Cruelty-free and sustainably sourced
Rich in natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties
We believe in healing without compromise — and that includes protecting both your skin and the planet.
Healing Balm: Extra Protection When You Need It Most
Thicker than our Salve, the Healing Balm is designed to provide an added layer of protection during the first week after getting a tattoo. Use it during your procedure in place of Vaseline or Petroleum products, or apply it in the initial phase of healing to soothe inflammation and lock in moisture.
Perfect for trouble areas or spots needing extra care
Naturally derived antimicrobial protection (Silver Dihydrogen Citrate)
Made with castor oil, jojoba, shea butter, and aloe vera
Whether you’re a professional artist or a freshly tattooed client, this balm is a cleaner, safer alternative to conventional ointments.
Soothing Salve: Lightweight Hydration for Ongoing Healing
Our Soothing Salve is your daily go-to for natural tattoo aftercare — lightweight, velvety, and packed with ingredients that deeply hydrate without clogging pores. Start using the Salve after the initial healing phase to keep your skin moisturized, protected, and your ink looking fresh.
Ideal for everyday moisture and tattoo revival
Shea butter and aloe vera nourish skin naturally
Absorbs easily and leaves skin feeling smooth, not greasy
Unlike petroleum-based salves, ours is fully biodegradable and supports the skin’s natural renewal process.
Cream Cleanser: Gentle, Nourishing Tattoo Wash
Clean skin heals better. Our Cream Cleanser is a gentle, lotion-like wash designed to cleanse new tattoos or dry skin without stripping your body’s natural oils. It’s perfect for daily use — especially in the early stages of healing — and keeps your skin feeling soft, not tight.
No sulfates or harsh surfactants
Leaves skin clean, balanced, and hydrated
Use as a tattoo-safe alternative to traditional soap
Because washing your tattoo shouldn't mean drying it out.
Tattoo Aftercare, Reimagined
We're committed to providing tattoo aftercare that’s rooted in integrity, sustainability, and skin health. Whether you're looking for a petroleum-free tattoo balm, a paraben-free salve, or a natural cleanser that respects your skin’s microbiome, our aftercare line is here to support your healing journey — the clean way.
Explore the full collection here, and give your skin the care it deserves.