Day one to day thirty.
Slide through the days to see what's normal and what to do. Written for Bali: sun, sea and surf included.
Day
3
Tender
What's normal
Redness and swelling settle. It may feel like a mild sunburn.
What to do
Wash two or three times a day and use a thin layer of aftercare balm. Loose clothes over it.
- Sea, pool or surf
- Not yet
- Sun on it
- Not yet
A general guide; your artist's instructions come first. Spreading redness, heat, pus or a fever are not part of normal healing: see a doctor.
The island rules.
Sea, pools and surf
Wait until it has fully stopped peeling, usually about two weeks. Planning a surf trip? Get tattooed at the end of it.
Sun
Cover it while it heals; no sunscreen on fresh, open skin. Once healed, SPF 50 every time, or the black goes grey.
Hands off
Itching means it's healing. Tap it, never scratch or pick the flakes.
Keep it simple
Clean hands, mild soap, a thin layer of balm. More cream is not better.
A general guide. Your artist's instructions come first, and the studio stays reachable on WhatsApp while it heals.
WhatsApp