Aftercare for your tattoo & piercing
Our studio’s aftercare guides – step by step, plus the original flyers as PDF (in Swedish).
Spicy Tattoo
Tattoo aftercare
Well cared for looks best! Here's how your new tattoo heals beautifully.
1Protective film / dressing
Medical film (second skin)
Leave the medical film on your tattoo for 2 days. The easiest way to remove it is to moisten the edges or take it off in the shower under lukewarm water.
Regular plastic wrap
Remove the wrap when you get home. Apply a fresh wrap overnight. Remove it the next day.
2Cleaning & care
Once the film has been removed, clean your tattoo every morning and evening.
- Wash your hands
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Wash the tattoo
Gently wash the tattoo with mild soap and lukewarm water.
- Rinse well
Rinse everything thoroughly with water.
- Pat dry
Carefully pat the skin dry with a clean, dry towel or paper towel.
- Apply cream
Apply a thin layer of the aftercare cream your tattoo artist recommended.
Sensitive skin or allergies? Always check the ingredients before using any care products.
3During the healing process
- If scabs form, don't pick at them. They will come off by themselves.
- After about 2 weeks the tattoo starts to peel. Don't pull off any flakes of skin.
- If your tattoo itches, apply a thin layer of aftercare cream.
Full healing takes about 6 weeks.
4What to avoid while it heals
- Don't scratch or touch
- Tight clothing or jewellery that rubs
- Sunbathing and direct sun
- Baths, swimming and sauna
- Intense workouts in the first 2 weeks
5Sun protection
Once your tattoo has healed and you're out in the sun, always use sunscreen with at least SPF 50 to keep the colours looking great for a long time.
Always follow your tattoo artist's instructions and feel free to contact us if you have questions or feel unsure during the healing process.
In depth: how your tattoo heals
The healing stages
- Day 1–3Fresh wound
The skin is red, warm and slightly swollen. A little fluid with ink may seep out – that is normal. Keep it clean and only apply a thin layer of cream.
- Day 4–14Scabs & itching
Thin scabs form, the skin feels tight and itches. Do not scratch – a light pat with a flat, clean hand helps against the itch.
- Week 2–4Peeling
The skin peels like after a sunburn. Afterwards the tattoo often looks a little milky or dull – that is the new layer of skin.
- Week 4–6Healed
The surface has healed and the colours become clear. The deeper layers of skin are still regenerating – keep avoiding the sun.
More tips
Apply thin layers more often. Too much cream softens the skin – gently massage in or dab off any excess.
Use a mild, fragrance-free soap. No scrubs, no alcohol and no disinfectants on the tattoo.
Ideally pat dry with fresh disposable paper towels – bacteria collect in cloth towels.
Put on fresh bedding and try not to sleep on the fresh tattoo.
Loose and breathable, e.g. cotton. Dark clothes in the first days in case ink still seeps out.
Light training is fine as long as nothing rubs or gets dirty – wipe down equipment first. Intense training only after 2 weeks.
No other tattoo, no laser and no peeling on the area until it has fully healed.
This is normal
- Redness, warmth and slight swelling in the first days
- A little clear or coloured fluid on the first day
- Itching, tightness and peeling in the first weeks
- A milky sheen before the colours become clear again
Warning signs – contact your artist or piercer
- Redness or swelling that gets worse instead of better after day 3
- Throbbing, increasing pain
- Yellowish pus or an unpleasant smell
- Red streaks spreading out, or fever
If you notice these signs, please contact your tattoo artist or piercer first. If you are far from the studio, have a reputable tattoo or piercing studio you trust take a look – professionals know how tattoos and piercings heal and can judge whether medical care is needed. If you have a fever or red streaks that spread, please seek medical help immediately.
Looking good long-term
- Keep the skin moisturised with a mild lotion – well-hydrated skin makes colours pop.
- Avoid sunburn and use sun protection of at least SPF 50.
- Once healed, we are happy to look at your tattoo and discuss whether a touch-up makes sense.
Södertälje Piercing
Piercing aftercare
Well cared for looks best! Here's how your new piercing heals well.
1What to avoid while it heals
- Don't touch or twist your piercing – keep your hands away
- Avoid baths, swimming and sauna
- No cosmetics, perfume or hair products – on the piercing
- Skip intense sports – in the first 1–2 weeks
- Don't sleep on the piercing – avoid pressure and friction
- Avoid direct sun and sunbeds
- Avoid tight clothing or jewellery
2How to clean your piercing
Wash the piercing thoroughly with unscented soap and water.
Clean it with your hands or, alternatively, with a clean washcloth.
Dry it thoroughly.
Spray with piercing spray, move the jewellery gently back and forth and let it air-dry.
Always clean your piercing twice a day – morning and evening.
3Good to know
- Every piercing heals differently. Healing can take anywhere from one month to several months.
- It's normal for the piercing to be tender, swollen or irritated at first.
- Only remove the jewellery when your piercer tells you it's okay.
- If you have severe pain, ongoing swelling or any other unusual symptoms – contact us or a doctor.
4Extra tips
- Sleep on the opposite side or use a travel pillow.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing.
- Use high-quality jewellery made of implant-grade titanium or gold. Avoid plated or low-quality materials.
- Change your jewellery after 2–3 months, once the initial swelling has gone down.
- Your body heals at its own pace. Be patient and give your piercing the time it needs.
Always follow your piercer's instructions and contact us if you have questions or feel unsure during the healing period.
In depth: how your piercing heals
Healing times (guide values)
| Earlobe | 4–6 months |
|---|---|
| Ear cartilage: helix, forward helix, flat, conch, tragus, rook, daith, industrial | 6–8 months |
| Nose (nostril) | 6–8 months |
| Septum | 4–6 months |
| Eyebrow | 6–8 months |
| Lip & tongue | 3–4 months |
| Navel | 9–12 months |
Even if it looks healed on the outside, the channel inside often needs longer. Every body heals at its own pace.
Tips by body area
Do not sleep on that side – a travel or neck pillow helps. Be careful with headphones, hats and hairbrushes, hold your phone to the other ear and keep hairspray away.
Clean the inside too and blow your nose gently. Keep make-up and face cream away from the piercing.
Glasses and sunglasses must not press on it. Keep make-up away and avoid knocking it.
Rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash after eating, after drinks other than water and after smoking. Cool drinks help against swelling in the first days. Small bites, eat slowly, no kissing for about 10 days and do not play with the jewellery against your teeth.
Avoid high, tight trousers and belts, sleep on your back and do not submerge it during the first month (bath, lake, sea).
This is normal
- Swelling, redness and slight bleeding in the first days
- Clear to whitish fluid that dries into small crusts – loosen it gently with the aftercare spray
- Itching while it heals
- Oral piercings: noticeable swelling in the first days
Warning signs – contact your artist or piercer
- Increasing redness, heat and severe pain
- Yellow-green pus or an unpleasant smell
- Red streaks spreading out, or fever
- If you suspect an infection, do not remove the jewellery yourself – the channel could close over the infection.
If you notice these signs, please contact your tattoo artist or piercer first. If you are far from the studio, have a reputable tattoo or piercing studio you trust take a look – professionals know how tattoos and piercings heal and can judge whether medical care is needed. If you have a fever or red streaks that spread, please seek medical help immediately.
A small bump on your piercing?
Small bumps at the piercing are usually caused by pressure, snagging, sleeping on it or a bar that is too long. Avoid the cause, keep up the aftercare and come and see us – a downsize often helps. No harsh products such as tea tree oil, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
Please do not use a home-made salt solution – use the piercing spray we recommend.
Any questions?
Send us a WhatsApp message or give us a call – we reply as soon as we can during opening hours.
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