Moisturize regularly
Healthy, hydrated skin keeps linework and shading looking crisp.
Protect your art. Support the healing process.
Tattoo & Piercing Aftercare Guide
Good aftercare is part of the work. How you clean, protect, and leave a new tattoo or piercing alone shapes how it heals and how it looks years from now. Synergy Body Art cares for clients in Lakewood, Denver, and the surrounding Colorado communities — and we’re here after your appointment, too.
Tattoo aftercare
New tattoo aftercare instructions
Every tattoo — and every person — heals a little differently. Use this as a general guide for how to care for a new tattoo, and always prioritize the specific instructions your tattoo artist gave you at the end of your appointment.
- Keep your tattoo clean and dry for the first 24 hours.
- After the first day, wash your tattoo gently with mild soap and water twice a day.
- Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer to keep the tattoo hydrated.
- Never pick or scratch at your tattoo — let it heal on its own.
- Avoid direct sunlight and swimming for at least two weeks.
- Wear loose clothing over the tattoo while it heals.
Avoid during healing
What to avoid after getting a tattoo
- Swimming of any kind for at least two weeks
- Direct sunlight for at least two weeks
- Picking at scabs or peeling skin
- Scratching or irritating the tattoo
- Tight clothing that rubs the tattoo
- Fragranced soaps or products on the tattoo
- Hot tubs, lakes, rivers, and prolonged soaking
- Tanning beds
- Thick layers of lotion or ointment
Normal showers are generally preferable to soaking a healing tattoo.
Tattoo healing stages
What to expect while your tattoo heals
Days 1–3
The tattoo may look bright and feel slightly swollen, tender, or red. Some clear fluid, plasma, or excess ink can be present.
Days 4–7
Dryness, itching, light scabbing, or flaking may begin.
Week 2
Peeling and itching may continue, and the tattoo can temporarily look dull or cloudy as the surface heals.
Weeks 3–4+
The surface may look mostly healed, while deeper layers of skin can keep healing.
Healing times vary depending on tattoo size, placement, skin, lifestyle, and individual healing.
Long-term care
Keep your tattoo looking its best
Limit sun exposure
UV exposure can contribute to tattoo fading over time, so cover up when you can.
Use sunscreen on healed work
Broad-spectrum sunscreen on fully healed tattoos helps protect color and contrast.
Stay hydrated
Skin condition shows in your tattoos — drink water and eat well.
Maintain healthy skin
Treat the area like the rest of your skin care routine, not an afterthought.
Come see us
Touch-ups and future projects start with your artist — browse the portfolio any time.
Planning your next piece? See recent work in the gallery or explore tattoo services.
Piercing aftercare
Body piercing aftercare instructions
Piercings heal best when they’re kept clean and otherwise left alone. Follow the routine your Synergy Body Art piercer gave you for your placement.
- Wash your hands before touching or cleaning the piercing.
- Don’t use alcohol, Neosporin, or Betadine to clean the piercing, as they can cause irritation.
- Avoid removing jewelry during healing, as the hole may close quickly.
- Avoid turning or rotating jewelry to aid healing.
- Don’t apply creams, makeup, moisturizers, or perfumes directly on the piercing.
- Be cautious in the shower, keeping soaps and shampoos away, and rinse thoroughly.
- Avoid picking or pulling at dried matter, it may be connected to healing tissue.
- Be careful not to irritate the piercing, and try not to sleep on it.
Piercing healing
How long does a piercing take to heal?
Healing time varies a lot depending on the type and location of the piercing. Some placements settle relatively quickly, while cartilage and other placements can require several months or longer — and a piercing can look healed on the surface well before it truly is.
Ask your Synergy Body Art piercer what to expect for your specific piercing, and stop by when it’s time for a downsize or a jewelry change. Planning another placement? See piercing services or read how to prepare for a piercing.
Healing check
Normal healing vs. when to get help
Common during healing
Depending on the tattoo or piercing, you may notice temporary:
- Tenderness
- Mild redness
- Itching
- Dryness
- Flaking
- Minor swelling
When to seek professional help
If you experience any signs of infection — such as excessive redness, swelling, or pus — seek medical attention immediately. Contact an appropriate healthcare professional if you notice concerning or worsening symptoms such as:
- Redness that keeps spreading
- Significant or worsening swelling
- Severe or increasing pain
- Skin that becomes increasingly hot
- Pus-like discharge
- Red streaking
- Fever or chills
- Anything else that concerns you
For piercings, don’t automatically remove your jewelry because you suspect an infection — seek guidance from an appropriate healthcare professional and/or your professional piercer.
If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is part of normal healing, contact Synergy Body Art. Our team can help you determine whether you should visit the studio or seek medical care.
Answers
Aftercare FAQ
How often should I wash a new tattoo?
Keep the tattoo clean and dry for the first 24 hours. After that, wash it gently with mild soap and water twice a day, pat it dry with a clean paper towel, and apply a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer. Always follow any specific instructions your artist gave you.
Can I shower after getting a tattoo?
Yes, short showers are fine after the first 24 hours. Wash the tattoo gently with mild soap and lukewarm water and pat it dry. Avoid baths, hot tubs and long soaks while it heals.
Can I work out after getting a tattoo?
Heavy sweating, stretching and equipment rubbing on fresh work can irritate a healing tattoo. Take it easy for the first few days, wear loose clothing, keep the area clean, and wash gently afterwards. Ask your artist about your placement.
When can I swim after getting a tattoo?
Avoid swimming of any kind for at least two weeks, including pools, hot tubs, lakes and rivers. Soaking healing skin exposes it to bacteria and can damage the tattoo.
Can I put lotion on a new tattoo?
Yes. Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer to keep the tattoo hydrated. A thick layer traps moisture and won't speed up healing, so less is more.
Is tattoo peeling normal?
Yes. Light flaking and peeling are a normal part of healing. Let it come off on its own and never pick or scratch, since that can pull ink out and leave patchy spots.
Why is my tattoo itchy?
Itching is common as the skin heals and flakes. Don't scratch. Keep a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer on it instead.
How long does a tattoo take to heal?
The surface usually looks settled within a few weeks, while deeper layers keep healing longer. Size, placement, skin type and how closely you follow aftercare all affect the timeline. Avoid sun and swimming for at least the first two weeks.
Should I use sunscreen on a new tattoo?
Keep a healing tattoo out of direct sunlight for at least two weeks rather than putting sunscreen on it. Once it's fully healed, a broad-spectrum sunscreen helps protect it from fading.
How should I sleep with a new tattoo?
Try not to sleep directly on fresh work. Use clean bedding and wear loose clothing so nothing sticks to or rubs the tattoo overnight.
What should I do if my tattoo or piercing looks irritated?
Contact Synergy Body Art and the team will help you decide what to do. If you see signs of infection, such as excessive redness, swelling or pus, seek medical attention immediately.
How do I clean a new piercing?
Always wash your hands before touching or cleaning your piercing. Don't use alcohol, Neosporin or Betadine, and keep creams, makeup, moisturizers and perfumes off the area. In the shower, keep soaps and shampoos away from the piercing and rinse thoroughly. Don't remove or rotate the jewelry while it heals.
Should I rotate my piercing jewelry?
No. Avoid turning or rotating your jewelry while it heals, since it irritates the tissue and can bring in bacteria. Leave it alone apart from gentle cleaning with clean hands.
How long does a piercing take to heal?
Healing time depends heavily on the placement. Lobes usually heal faster, while cartilage, navel and other placements can take several months or longer. A piercing often looks healed on the outside before it is fully healed inside, so keep following aftercare and check with your Synergy Body Art piercer before changing jewelry.
When can I change my piercing jewelry?
Don't remove or change the jewelry while it is healing. When your piercer says it's ready for a downsize or change, stop by the studio and the team will handle the swap with quality jewelry.
What should I do if my piercing looks irritated?
Don't remove the jewelry yourself. Contact Synergy Body Art for guidance. If you see signs of infection, such as excessive redness, swelling or pus, seek medical attention immediately.
Studio support
Questions about your tattoo or piercing?
Your appointment doesn’t end when you leave the studio. The Synergy Body Art team is here to help you understand the healing and aftercare process — for clients across Lakewood, Colorado and the wider Denver metro area.
Colorado Mills Mall — 14500 W Colfax Ave 551A - 103, Lakewood, CO 80401 (inside Phenix Salon Suites)
More answers on the studio FAQ, or read the piercing aftercare page.
Disclaimer: this aftercare guidance is general education, not medical advice, and it does not diagnose infections or guarantee results. If you have health concerns or symptoms that worry you, contact a qualified healthcare professional.