Tattoo Aftercare in Berlin: The First Two Weeks

A tattoo is finished the moment the needle stops, but how it looks in a year is decided in the two weeks right after. This is the aftercare routine recommended to every client at Kas Inks in Berlin, for fine line, micro-realism, or anything in between.

The first 24 to 48 hours

Keep the original wrap or dressing on for the time your artist specifies, usually a few hours to overnight. Once removed, wash the area gently with your hands using an unscented, pH-neutral soap and lukewarm water, then pat it dry with a clean towel. Don't scrub, and don't re-cover it with plastic wrap or a bandage.

Days two through fourteen

Apply a thin layer of a fragrance-free, tattoo-safe moisturiser two to three times a day, less is more here. The skin will look glossy, then dry and flake, then itch: this is normal and it's the reason not to pick at it. Loose, breathable clothing over the area helps far more than any product does.

What to avoid entirely

No swimming, saunas, or long soaking baths until it's fully healed. No direct sun, and sunscreen afterwards for good, since fine detail and light shading fade fastest with UV exposure. Avoid tight clothing and unnecessary friction on the area, and resist the urge to over-moisturise, which can trap moisture and slow healing.

If anything looks more inflamed after the first week rather than less, or shows spreading redness, warmth, or fever, see a doctor rather than waiting it out. For everything else, the studio is always reachable through the contact form on the site if you want a second opinion on how healing is going.