Tattoo & Piercing Aftercare Instructions | Miami Tattoo Studio

Proper tattoo and piercing aftercare is essential for healing, preventing infection, and maintaining the quality of your tattoo or piercing.

Follow these professional aftercare instructions from our Miami tattoo studio to ensure safe healing and long-lasting results.

Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

First 24 Hours

• Keep bandage on for 2–4 hours (or as directed by your artist)
• Wash your hands before touching the tattoo
• Gently clean with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap
• Pat dry with a clean paper towel (do not rub)
• Apply a thin layer of recommended aftercare ointment

Tattoo aftercare first 24 hours showing bandage removal cleaning tattoo with fragrance free soap and applying ointment.png

During the first two weeks, your tattoo will begin to heal and may peel or itch. This is normal.

Healing Days 2–14

• Wash the tattoo 2–3 times daily
• Switch from ointment to a fragrance-free lotion
• Do not pick, scratch, or peel the tattoo
• Avoid soaking (no pools, oceans, or hot tubs)
• Avoid tight clothing over the tattoo

Tattoo healing process days 2 to 14 showing washing tattoo applying fragrance free lotion and avoiding scratching.png

What to Avoid While Your Tattoo Heals

  • Direct sun exposure

  • Swimming or soaking

  • Heavy sweating or friction

  • Petroleum-based products

  • Over-moisturizing

Tattoo aftercare mistakes including sun exposure swimming petroleum based products and excessive sweating.png

Normal Healing Signs

• Mild redness and warmth during the first few days
• Peeling and flaking
• Mild itching

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Watch for these signs:

• Yellow or green discharge
• Severe swelling or pain
• Redness spreading from the tattoo
• Fever or chills

Professional Body Piercing Aftercare

Piercings heal from the outside in, which means consistent aftercare is critical to prevent irritation and infection.

Cleaning Instructions

  • Clean 2–3 times daily

  • Use sterile saline solution or saline spray

  • Wash hands before cleaning

  • Gently remove crusties with clean gauze

  • Do not twist or rotate jewelry

  • Do not remove or change jewelry until fully healed.

Cleaning instructions for ear piercings showing steps: clean 2-3 times daily with a cloth, use sterile saline solution or spray, wash hands before cleaning, gently remove crusts with gauze, do not twist or rotate jewelry.

Healing Times (Approximate)

Earlobes: 6–8 weeks

Cartilage: 3–6 months

Nose: 2–4 months

Lip: 6–8 weeks

Navel: 6–12 months

Healing times vary depending on the type of piercing, placement, and aftercare consistency.

A chart showing approximate healing times for various body piercings, including earlobes (6-8 weeks), cartilage (3-6 months), nose (2-4 months), lip (6-8 weeks), and navel (6-12 months).

What to Avoid

  • Touching with dirty hands

  • Changing jewelry too early

  • Sleeping on fresh piercings

  • Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh soaps

  • Swimming in pools, oceans, or hot tubs

A poster titled "What to Avoid" with five images with red crossed-out symbols and accompanying text. The images depict touching dirty hands, changing jewelry too early, sleeping on fresh piercings, using alcohol or harsh soaps, and swimming in pools, oceans, or hot tubs.

Normal Healing Signs

  • Mild swelling

  • Clear or whitish discharge

  • Slight tenderness

An infographic showing three different types of healing signs in ears: mild swelling, clear or whitish discharge, and slight tenderness, with a note that healing varies by individual and placement.
A guide illustrating three signs to seek professional help for ear issues: yellow or green discharge, severe pain or swelling, excessive redness spreading from the area.

Seek professional help if you notice:

  • Yellow/green discharge

  • Severe pain or swelling

  • Excessive redness spreading from the area

Recommended Aftercare Products

Professional aftercare products are available in-studio at InkArt. Ask your artist or piercer for recommendations.

A display of professional-grade aftercare products including sprays, soaps, and solutions, with a green checkmark indicating approval for use and a red crossed-out sign indicating products to avoid, such as perfumes and oils.

⚠️ Important Notes

Healing times vary from person to person

Always follow your artist’s specific instructions

If you have medical conditions, consult a healthcare professional before getting tattooed or pierced

Following proper aftercare is essential to prevent complications and protect your results.

A notice with important notes about tattoo or piercing aftercare, including tips such as healing times vary, follow artist instructions, consult healthcare if needed, client's responsibility for aftercare, and emphasizing the importance of aftercare for health and longevity. The background is dark gray with a small cluster of ice and greenery in the lower left corner.

Your Healing Matters

If something feels off, don’t ignore it.
Reach out. We’re here to help.

Need Help With Healing?

If you have questions about your tattoo or piercing aftercare, our team is here to help.

Visit our Miami studio or contact us directly — we’ll guide you through the healing process.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Most tattoos heal on the surface in 2–3 weeks, but full healing can take several weeks depending on size and placement.

  • Avoid swimming for at least 2 weeks or until the tattoo has fully peeled and healed.

  • Light exercise is usually fine, but avoid heavy sweating or friction on the tattoo during the first week.