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Bob's Tattoo Joint — RiNo, Denver

AFTERCARE

Your tattoo is a permanent investment. How you treat it in the first few weeks determines how it heals — and how it looks for the rest of your life.

CUSTOM DESIGNS•TRADITIONAL•NEO-TRADITIONAL•BLACKWORK•FINE LINE•REALISM•GEOMETRIC•WATERCOLOR•
CUSTOM DESIGNS•TRADITIONAL•NEO-TRADITIONAL•BLACKWORK•FINE LINE•REALISM•GEOMETRIC•WATERCOLOR•
CUSTOM DESIGNS•TRADITIONAL•NEO-TRADITIONAL•BLACKWORK•FINE LINE•REALISM•GEOMETRIC•WATERCOLOR•
CUSTOM DESIGNS•TRADITIONAL•NEO-TRADITIONAL•BLACKWORK•FINE LINE•REALISM•GEOMETRIC•WATERCOLOR•

Healing Timeline

Days 1–3

Fresh Wound

  1. 01

    Leave the wrap your artist applied on for 2–4 hours (or overnight if using second-skin film).

  2. 02

    Wash gently with unscented antibacterial soap and lukewarm water — no scrubbing.

  3. 03

    Pat completely dry with a clean paper towel. Never a reused cloth towel.

  4. 04

    Apply a very thin layer of unscented lotion or artist-recommended ointment.

  5. 05

    Rewrap loosely only if clothing will rub directly on it.

Days 4–7

Early Healing

  1. 01

    Wash 2× daily — morning and night — same gentle method.

  2. 02

    Switch to a plain unscented lotion (Lubriderm, Aveeno, CeraVe).

  3. 03

    Apply lotion sparingly — a thin coat, not a thick layer. Over-moisturizing suffocates the skin.

  4. 04

    Peeling and light flaking are normal. Do not pick or peel.

  5. 05

    Itching is normal. Slap gently to relieve it — never scratch.

Weeks 2–4

Surface Healing

  1. 01

    The outer skin will finish peeling on its own. Keep moisturizing daily.

  2. 02

    Tattoo may look dull or cloudy — the skin is still forming over the ink. This is normal.

  3. 03

    Continue avoiding direct sun, pools, and soaking until fully healed.

  4. 04

    If any area looks raised or abnormally faded, contact your artist before assuming touch-up.

What to Avoid

DON'T DO THIS.

These are the most common mistakes people make during healing. Any one of them can cause patchy healing, lost color, or worse — infection.

  • Submerge in pools, hot tubs, lakes, or oceans
  • Expose to direct sunlight during healing
  • Pick, scratch, or peel flaking skin
  • Apply Vaseline, Neosporin, or petroleum-heavy products
  • Wear tight clothing directly over the tattoo
  • Shave over the healing area
  • Work out intensely and sweat heavily in the first 48 hours

Long-Term Care

SPF

Sunscreen Forever

UV rays are the single biggest cause of tattoo fading. Once healed, apply SPF 50+ any time the tattoo is exposed to sun.

H2O

Stay Hydrated

Healthy, well-hydrated skin holds ink better. Moisturize daily even after fully healed.

FIX

Free Touch-Ups

We offer a free touch-up within 3 months of your appointment. Reach out once fully healed if anything needs correction.

DR.

Signs of Infection

Excessive swelling, hot skin, pus, or spreading redness beyond the tattoo area are red flags. See a doctor immediately — do not wait.

Questions about your healing?

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