Aftercare

This is the aftercare Alex Roze gives his clients at Rocky Mountain Tattoo in Kelowna, BC. A tattoo heals in two phases: the skin closes in 2–3 weeks, and the ink settles over 2–3 months. Everything below follows one principle — your tattoo is designed to look good in year 3, and healing is where that starts. Follow the base protocol first, then the section for your season.

Base protocol — every season

  1. Hours 0–4
    Keep the wrap on as instructed at the studio. If you got a second-skin film, it stays on 3–5 days. Do not re-wrap with plastic yourself.
  2. Days 1–3
    Wash 2× daily with lukewarm water and unscented soap. Pat dry with clean paper towel — never rub. Apply a thin layer of unscented healing ointment.
  3. Days 4–14
    Switch to unscented lotion, thin layers, 2–3× daily. Itching and flaking are normal. Do not scratch, do not pick the flakes.
  4. Weeks 2–12
    Skin looks closed but ink is still settling. Keep moisturizing daily. No direct sun, no soaking, until week 4 minimum.

Summer tattoo aftercare

SUN, WATER, SWEAT

No sun on fresh ink

UV is the single biggest cause of tattoo fading. Zero direct sun for 4 weeks. After that: SPF 50, every time, for life. Clothing beats sunscreen while healing.

No swimming for 4 weeks

Lakes, pools, ocean, hot tubs — all of them soak the wound and carry bacteria. Showers are fine from day 1; keep them short and not hot.

Sweat is manageable

Light sweating is fine — rinse the tattoo with lukewarm water afterwards and re-apply lotion. Skip the gym for the first 3–4 days, and avoid gear that rubs the area.

Book big pieces off-season

If you are planning a sleeve or back piece, fall and winter heal easier.

Winter tattoo aftercare

DRY AIR, LAYERS, HEAT

Fight the dry air

Heated indoor air dries healing skin fast. Moisturize 3× daily instead of 2×, and consider a humidifier in your bedroom for the first two weeks.

Loose layers only

Wool and tight synthetics rub and stick to fresh ink. Wear a loose cotton layer directly on the tattoo, warmer layers over it.

Hot showers are the trap

Long hot showers feel great in January and are terrible for healing skin. Keep water lukewarm and exposure short for the first two weeks.

Snow sports can wait

Ski and snowboard gear presses and rubs exactly where tattoos live. Give new ink 2 weeks before a mountain day, and pad the area if it sits under a strap.

Tattoo healing tips & tricks

FOR YEAR 3 AND BEYOND
  1. 01 SPF 50 is the cheapest tattoo insurance that exists. A $15 sunscreen protects a $2,000 piece. Make it a habit, not an exception.
  2. 02 Moisturized skin reads better. Contrast and line crispness visibly improve when skin is hydrated — daily lotion keeps your tattoo sharp for years.
  3. 03 Weight changes stretch skin, not ink. Large fluctuations can distort a piece. Nothing to fear — just worth knowing when you choose placement.
  4. 04 Sleep off the tattoo for the first week. Clean sheets, and position yourself so the fresh piece is not pressed into the mattress.
  5. 05 Touch-ups: if something heals unevenly, email the studio with a photo after week 6. Honest assessment, and a touch-up slot if it needs one.
  6. 06 Photograph your tattoo at month 3, not day 1. That is the real result — and the version I designed for.

Safety boundary and sources

This aftercare page records Alex's artist-specific client protocol; it is not a diagnosis or a replacement for medical care. Follow the bandage instructions you receive for your tattoo, because the correct timing can vary by product and situation.

If anything about your healing looks wrong — spreading redness, heat, swelling after day 3, pus, or fever — contact a doctor first, then email the studio. Do not self-diagnose an infection.

Safety references: HealthLink BC: Tattoo Problems lists warning signs and when to seek care. The BC Guidelines for Body Modification require operators to provide aftercare instructions and discuss possible complications.

For the published pigment, sunlight, and uncertainty evidence behind long-term appearance claims, read whether black-and-grey tattoos fade. That evidence page separates healed-skin sun protection from fresh-tattoo care.

Page updated August 14, 2026. The seasonal and product-specific instructions remain Alex's protocol; the linked public-health references support the safety boundary, not every aesthetic recommendation above.