Tattoo Aftercare Guide in Interlaken
Thank you for trusting Entre Lagos Tattoo & Art Gallery. Proper tattoo aftercare helps your new tattoo heal cleaner, protect the details and keep the final result looking strong.
Your healing process starts today
This official tattoo aftercare guide from Entre Lagos Tattoo & Art Gallery in Interlaken explains how to wash, protect and care for your new tattoo during the first healing days.
The way you clean, protect and care for your tattoo can make a big difference in the final result.
Important: Every skin reacts differently. If something feels unusual, if your skin reacts strongly, or if you are unsure about the tattoo healing process, contact the studio directly.
Choose your tattoo protection type
When you leave the studio, your new tattoo will usually be protected with either protective tattoo film or absorbent tattoo protection. Open the option that matches what you have.
If your tattoo is covered with protective tattoo film, you can usually keep it on during the first day.
If everything feels normal and your skin does not react badly, the film can normally stay on for up to two days.
Remove the film immediately if you feel:
- strong irritation
- burning
- excessive itching
- unusual discomfort
- a possible allergic reaction to the adhesive
- too much liquid trapped under the film
After removing the film:
- Wash your hands carefully.
- Remove the film slowly and gently.
- Wash the tattoo with cold water and neutral soap.
- Remove plasma, ink residue or adhesive residue from the film.
- Dry the tattoo carefully without rubbing.
- Keep the tattoo clean and protected.
If your tattoo is protected with absorbent material such as Tattoo Armor, it is usually best to keep it on during the first night.
The next day, remove it carefully and wash the tattoo gently.
- Wash your hands carefully.
- Remove the absorbent protection slowly.
- Wash the tattoo with cold water and neutral soap.
- Dry the tattoo carefully without rubbing.
- Wear clean clothes over the area.
- Keep the tattoo clean and protected.
If you already removed the protection, keep the tattoo clean, dry and away from unnecessary contact.
During the first two days:
- wash gently when needed
- use cold or lukewarm-cold water
- use neutral soap
- dry carefully without rubbing
- do not apply cream yet
- avoid touching the tattoo unnecessarily
- wear clean clothes
Keep it clean
Always wash your hands before touching your new tattoo. Clean it gently with neutral soap and cold or lukewarm-cold water.
Do not rush healing
Peeling, dryness and mild itching can be normal. Do not scratch, pick or remove skin from the tattoo.
Protect the result
Avoid swimming, sauna, direct sun, pets and heavy friction while your tattoo is healing.
First wash: use cold water
For the first wash, we recommend using cold water. Cold water helps calm the skin and, according to our studio protocol, helps the pores close and keeps as much pigment as possible inside the skin during the first healing stage.
- Wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
- Use neutral soap, not perfumed or aggressive products.
- Use cold or lukewarm-cold water, not hot water.
- Dry gently with clean paper or a clean towel.
- Do not rub the tattoo.
- Avoid hot water during the first days.
Tattoo hygiene during the first days
During the first days, your tattoo should be treated like a fresh skin wound. Always make sure that anything touching the tattoo is clean.
- Use clean hands.
- Wear clean clothes.
- Use clean bedding.
- Use clean towels or paper.
- Avoid touching the tattoo unnecessarily.
- Keep dust, sweat and dirty surfaces away from the tattoo.
If you have pets at home
If you have animals at home, avoid direct contact between your pet and the fresh tattoo.
- Do not let pets lick the tattoo.
- Do not let pets rub against the tattoo.
- Do not let pets sleep on the tattooed area.
- Avoid contact with paws, fur or saliva.
Animals can carry bacteria, and during the first healing stage a fresh tattoo should be treated like an open skin wound.
The first two days: no cream
For the first two days, our recommendation is simple: do not apply cream yet.
During this time, focus on keeping the tattoo clean, dry and protected. Wash it gently when needed, always with clean hands, cold or lukewarm-cold water and neutral soap.
After two days: start using tattoo cream
After the first two days, you can start applying tattoo aftercare cream.
- Wash your hands before applying cream.
- Wash the tattoo gently with water and neutral soap.
- Dry the tattoo carefully without rubbing.
- Apply a thin layer of tattoo cream.
- Use only a small amount.
- Apply once or twice a day, ideally morning and night.
You can continue using the cream for one week or longer if the skin still feels dry.
Use the right tattoo aftercare cream
We recommend using a cream made specifically for tattoo aftercare.
Avoid products that contain antibiotics or strong medical ingredients unless a doctor has specifically recommended them. Some products can affect the healing process or damage the appearance of the tattoo.
If you are unsure which product to use, contact the studio before applying anything.
What to avoid while your tattoo is healing
During the tattoo healing process, avoid anything that can irritate the skin, expose the tattoo to bacteria or affect the final result.
- No hot water during the first days.
- No swimming pools, lakes, hot tubs or sauna.
- No direct sun or tanning.
- No scratching or picking dry skin.
- No tight or dirty clothing over the tattoo.
- No aggressive soaps or perfumed products.
- No direct contact with pets.
- Do not apply too much cream.
Normal tattoo healing signs
During the tattoo healing process, your tattoo can change in appearance. This can be normal.
- Dryness.
- Light peeling.
- Mild itching.
- The tattoo looking less shiny.
- The skin feeling slightly tight.
- Small changes in texture.
Do not scratch or remove peeling skin. The final look becomes clearer once the skin has fully settled.
When to contact the tattoo studio
Contact Entre Lagos Tattoo & Art Gallery in Interlaken if you feel unsure about the healing process, if the tattoo feels unusually irritated, if you notice a strong reaction to the protective film, or if you have questions about washing or cream.
It is always better to ask than to guess.
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Tattoo Aftercare FAQ
How long should I keep the protective tattoo film on?
If your tattoo is covered with protective film, you can usually keep it on during the first day. If your skin feels normal and there is no strong reaction, it can normally stay on for up to two days.
Can I wash my new tattoo with hot water?
No. During the first days, avoid hot water. At Entre Lagos Tattoo & Art Gallery, we recommend using cold or lukewarm-cold water for the first washes.
When should I start using tattoo cream?
Our recommendation is to avoid cream during the first two days. After two days, wash the tattoo gently, dry it carefully and apply a thin layer of tattoo aftercare cream once or twice a day.
Can pets touch my new tattoo?
No. Pets should not lick, rub, sleep on or touch a fresh tattoo. Animals can carry bacteria, and a fresh tattoo should be treated like an open skin wound during the first healing stage.
What should I avoid while my tattoo is healing?
Avoid hot water, swimming pools, lakes, sauna, direct sun, tanning, scratching, tight or dirty clothing, aggressive soaps, too much cream and direct contact with pets.
When should I contact the tattoo studio?
Contact the studio if you feel unsure about the tattoo healing process, if the tattoo feels unusually irritated, if you notice a strong reaction to the protective film or if you have questions about washing or cream.
