A new tattoo is an open wound that has to heal. How you look after it has a big effect on the result. This guide brings together what a clinic, an association of skin doctors (dermatologists), the law of Andalucía and a Málaga studio say. The sources do not agree on everything, so the rule that counts is the one your tattooist gives you in writing.

First: your tattooist's instructions

In Andalucía, Decreto 71/2017 says the person who tattoos you must explain the aftercare, in speech and in writing. They must tell you how to clean the area, which products to use and which not to use, and for how long (art. 18). If they do not give you instructions, ask for them and keep them. They depend on the type of cover you get and on your design.

The first hours: the cover

Cleveland Clinic explains that the tattooist usually puts on a thin layer of ointment and a clear dressing. You leave it on for at least three hours, or longer, depending on the size and the instructions. To take it off: wash your hands, soak it with lukewarm water to soften it, and peel it away gently.

On its tattoo aftercare page, Ink'side Tattoo Studio says that with the film it uses, a small tattoo's film comes off the next morning. If it uses a gel that forms a skin, you do not remove it: it comes off by itself in 6 to 7 days. Each material has its own timing, so follow your studio's.

Washing and moisturising: what the sources say

There is no single routine. This is what they say:

  • Cleveland Clinic: wash the tattoo twice a day with mild, fragrance-free soap and warm (not hot) water. Do not rub. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Put on a simple moisturiser twice a day so the skin does not dry out or crack.
  • Decreto 71/2017 (Andalucía), art. 18: the instructions the tattooist must give include cleaning every day with saline solution, using dry cold in the first days, keeping the area dry, not scratching or rubbing, and avoiding cosmetics that are not made for this.
  • Ink'side Tattoo Studio: wash once a day with plain neutral soap (more often if you sweat a lot). When the tattoo is uncovered, put on a thin layer of cream two or three times a day. It warns that too much cream can dull the colour.

All three agree on the basics: clean hands, gentle washing without rubbing, a small amount of cream and no scratching. For how often and which product, ask your tattooist.

How healing usually goes, week by week

According to Cleveland Clinic, large tattoos can take several months to heal fully. Small ones on the hands, wrists or arms usually heal sooner than ones on the chest or back. Its rough timeline:

  • Weeks 2 to 4: keep washing and moisturising twice a day, and the scabs fall off by themselves.
  • Around week 3: the scabs have healed and the skin peels less.
  • Around 2 months: the top layer is usually healed. The deeper layers can need several more months.
  • After week 5: you no longer need to wash every day, but you can keep using moisturiser when you need it.

Times differ from person to person.

What is normal

Cleveland Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) list these as normal while healing: itching, peeling skin, scabs, a little blood and ink oozing, mild pain and redness. Ink'side Tattoo Studio also mentions clear fluid and extra ink.

Can I swim, sunbathe or go to the gym?

  • Pools, sea and hot tubs: not until the tattoo has healed. Cleveland Clinic says not to put the area in a bath, pool or hot tub. The Andalusian decree names pools, saunas and beaches.
  • Sun and UV rays: avoid them while it heals (decree, art. 18; Cleveland Clinic). Ink'side Tattoo Studio says to avoid beach, sun and swimming for one month.
  • Gym: Ink'side says at least one week, because sweat makes itching and stinging worse.

If you are on holiday, our guide on getting a tattoo in Málaga on holiday explains how to plan around sun and sea.

What to avoid

  • Scratching or picking scabs and peeling skin (Cleveland Clinic).
  • Tight clothes over the area. Loose clothes that let the skin breathe are better (Cleveland Clinic).
  • Exfoliating the area and using petroleum jelly, which Cleveland Clinic says can block the pores.
  • Antiseptic, alcohol or cologne on the tattoo. Ink'side says they "burn the skin" and can lead to infection.

When to see a doctor

The AAD advises going straight to a doctor or a dermatologist if you have any of these signs:

  • redness that gets darker or spreads;
  • pain that continues or gets worse;
  • red, painful bumps that itch;
  • fever or chills;
  • pus or open sores.

Cleveland Clinic adds skin that feels hot, a bad smell or a lot of fluid, and red lines that run from the tattoo towards the middle of the body. If it is a mild allergy to the ink and it lasts more than one or two weeks, the AAD advises seeing a dermatologist. If you have trouble breathing or tightness in the chest, get medical help at once. In Andalucía, the decree says that any reaction or problem in the days after the tattoo means you must see a doctor (art. 18).

After it has healed: protect it from the sun

The AAD warns that some people get a sun allergy on tattooed skin (itching, rash, swelling or blisters). It advises a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, put on about 15 minutes before you go out. It also advises covering the area with clothes and staying in the shade. Cleveland Clinic says that while the tattoo is still healing you should not put sunscreen on it, and should keep it covered from the sun.

Touch-ups

Some studios offer to check or touch up the tattoo once it has healed, but the conditions change from studio to studio. Before you start, ask if the touch-up is included, within what time and at what cost.

Find a studio in Málaga

Our directory lists tattoo and piercing studios in Málaga with their address and phone number. It is an information list: we do not rate or guarantee any studio. Always confirm details with the studio itself. Our guide on how to choose a tattoo studio in Málaga shows what to check.