Remove the plastic wrap or second-skin bandage your artist applied. With clean hands, wash the tattoo using lukewarm water and a fragrance-free, gentle soap. Pat , never rub then dry with a clean paper towel.

Once skin is completely dry, apply a thin, even layer of RA Tattoo Balm. You want the skin to look hydrated, not smothered. Apply a pea-sized amount per palm-sized area is enough. Balm creates the moisture seal that prevents scabbing and plasma weep from hardening.

Don't let the tattoo fully dry out. Reapply Tattoo Balm every 3–4 hours, or any time the skin feels tight or looks dull. Tightness is dehydration and the leading cause of ink loss during healing.

Wash again before sleep. Apply a slightly more generous layer of Tattoo Balm so it can work overnight. Sleep on clean, dark sheets because the ink weep can transfer and stain.

What to Avoid during Days 1-3

• Submerging in water - No baths, pools, hot tubs, or ocean. Showers only
• Direct sun exposure - UV on fresh ink causes severe fading and skin damage immediately.
• Tight clothing - Fabric friction over fresh ink can lift color and introduce bacteria.
• Touching or picking - Hands carry bacteria. Never scratch, peel, or pick at any flaking.

If you see a whitish plasma film forming, that is normal. It is lymph fluid. Gently cleanse it off and reapply balm. Leaving it to dry will create a thick scab that pulls ink out when it falls off.

Wash with fragrance-free soap, pat dry, and apply a thin layer of Tattoo Balm. Your skin is peeling and rebuilding. Keep it hydrated from the moment you wake up.

Check the tattoo around midday. If skin looks dry or flakes are pulling tight, apply another light layer of balm. Peeling skin should fall on its own so NEVER pull it off.

After any shower, reapply Tattoo Balm first then let it absorb for 5 minutes. Next,  layer your UV protectant on top if you will be spending time outdoors. By day 7 the skin is closed enough to safely receive SPF. Apply balm first, UV second, always

One final wash and balm application before sleep. By week 2, the flaking should be nearly complete and the tattoo will start to look slightly milky or cloudy, so this is normal. It means the healing layer is forming over your ink.

What to Avoid during Days 4-14

• Peeling or picking flakes - Removes ink with the skin, let it shed naturally
• Heavy gym sessions - Sweat and friction on a healing tattoo creates bacteria risk.
• Scented lotions - Alcohol and fragrance dry out healing skin and cause irritation.
• Unprotected sun exposure - From day 7 you may use SPF layered over balm — never skip it outdoors.

The milky or frosted appearance at days 10–14 is your healing layer forming , not ink loss. Do not over-moisturize. Keep the routine steady and it will clear within days of full healing.

Apply Tattoo Balm first, wait 3–5 minutes, then apply your UV tattoo protectant or broad-spectrum SPF 30+. This two-step morning routine becomes your permanent habit for any tattooed skin that may see sunlight.

Weeks 3–4 can bring deep-layer itch because the nerves under the skin are regenerating. Apply balm directly to the area. Do not scratch. The itch is a healing signal, not a problem.

Apply balm before bed to keep the deeper skin layers supple. This is when elasticity work happens. Consistent overnight moisture prevents the long-term tightening that makes older tattoos crack and fade.

 This is the right time to introduce a UV tattoo shield into your permanent routine. Sun exposure is the single greatest cause of ink fading over time. Building the habit now protects the investment you made in your art.

• Gentle cleanse with lukewarm water. Skip soap unless visibly dirty over-washing strips natural oils.
• Pat dry with a clean towel. Never rub tattooed skin. Micro-friction accumulates over years.
• Apply RA Tattoo Balm in a thin, even layer. Allow to absorb for 3–5 minutes.
• Layer UV protectant over balm if you will be outdoors. SPF 30+ minimum; SPF 50 preferred for large or colorful pieces.

• Cleanse to remove sunscreen, sweat, and environmental buildup. Use fragrance-free soap.
• Pat dry completely before applying any product.
• Apply RA Tattoo Balm generously as an overnight conditioning treatment because skin absorbs more deeply at rest.
• Hydrate internally. Dehydrated skin makes tattoos look flat and dull regardless of topical care.

• Exfoliate around healed tattoos to keep surrounding skin clear and prevent buildup that dulls edges.
• Check for dry patches, especially in low-humidity months. Add a midday balm application when skin feels tight.
• Inspect your ink in natural light. Early dryness or fading is easier to address before it becomes permanent.

• Unprotected sun exposure — the leading cause of tattoo fading over time.
• Harsh exfoliants on ink — acids and scrubs accelerate pigment breakdown.
• Petroleum-based products — suffocate skin and trap bacteria over time.
• Alcohol-based toners — strip natural moisture and fade pigment.