Aftercare
HOW TO HEAL YOUR new tattoo
A tattoo is a wound. Not in a dramatic way — it's a controlled, precisely placed wound that triggers your skin's healing process. How you manage that process in the first two weeks determines how your tattoo looks for the rest of your life. This is especially important in Savannah, where summer heat, sun, and beach proximity create specific challenges.
Your artist at Paris Joelle Tattoos, Savannah Ink Tattoo, or Drop Dead Tattoo will give you specific aftercare instructions when you leave. Follow them. What follows is the standard framework that most reputable Savannah shops align with — and some Savannah-specific additions for tourists.
"The tattoo is 50% the artist, 50% the client's aftercare. The best work in the world can be ruined by two weeks of bad decisions."
The specific demands vary by style. fine line tattoo guide and watercolor tattoo guide work are particularly sensitive to sun. realism guide requires careful long-term sun protection to maintain its tonal precision. traditional tattoo guide and bold blackwork are the most forgiving to heal — but they still need proper care.
What to Know
HOW TO DO IT right
LEAVE THE WRAP ON
Your artist will wrap your tattoo in plastic wrap or a second-skin bandage. Leave it on for the time they specify — typically 2–24 hours depending on the bandage type. Don't peek.
WASH GENTLY, TWICE A DAY
Use fragrance-free, dye-free liquid soap (not bar soap). Wash with clean hands — never a cloth or loofah. Lukewarm water only. Pat dry with a clean paper towel, not a cloth towel.
MOISTURIZE LIGHTLY
Once the tattoo is clean and completely dry, apply a thin layer of unscented lotion — Lubriderm, Cetaphil, or similar. Thin film, not a thick coat. Repeat when the skin feels tight or dry.
NO SUN FOR 2+ WEEKS
Direct sunlight on a healing tattoo causes fading and can damage the design permanently. Keep it covered and out of the sun for the entire healing period.
NO POOLS, OCEAN, OR BATHS
Submerging a healing tattoo in any water — pool, ocean, bath, or hot tub — risks infection and pulls ink out of the skin. Showers only for at least 2 weeks.
LONG-TERM SUN PROTECTION
After your tattoo is fully healed, apply SPF 30+ sunscreen every time you'll be in the sun. This is the single most important factor for keeping your tattoo sharp at 5, 10, and 20 years.
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COMMON QUESTIONS
How long does a tattoo take to heal?
The surface skin heals in 2–3 weeks. The deeper layers take 2–3 months to fully settle. Avoid sun and water for the first 2–3 weeks; continue SPF care indefinitely after.
Can I go to the beach after getting a tattoo in Savannah?
Not for at least 2 weeks. Saltwater, sand, and direct sun are all harmful to a healing tattoo. If you're visiting Tybee Island or Hilton Head, see our Tybee Island guide for specific timing advice.
My tattoo is peeling — is that normal?
Yes. Peeling typically starts around day 4–7 and is part of the normal healing process. Do not pick or scratch the peeling skin. Let it fall off naturally.
What should I avoid after getting a tattoo?
For the first 2+ weeks: direct sun, pools, oceans, baths, hot tubs, tight clothing over the tattoo, picking at peeling skin, and intense exercise that causes heavy sweating over the tattoo area.