Heat, sweat and motorbikes
- Sweat: rinse and pat dry after you sweat, then a thin layer of moisturiser. Salt and bacteria sitting on fresh skin cause most irritation.
- Motorbike sun: the tattoo on your forearm or hand gets more sun on a 20-minute ride than in an hour outside. Cover it with a loose long sleeve, not a tight one, for the first month.
- Rain and dust: wash the tattoo when you arrive, before anything else.
- Air conditioning: dry air makes healing skin tight and itchy. Moisturise a little more often, but just as thinly.
- Beach trips: wait until the tattoo is fully healed, about four weeks, before swimming in the sea in Vũng Tàu, Nha Trang or anywhere else.
Notes by style
- Fine line: heals fastest, often in two weeks. Light lines can look faint at first and come back as the skin clears.
- Colour: flakes more and looks cloudy longer. Never pull the coloured flakes off.
- Large pieces: sleeves and back pieces can feel sore and warm for two or three days. Rest, drink water, and sleep on clean sheets.
- Lettering: keep it out of the sun so thin letters stay crisp.
When to see a doctor
Some redness and swelling for the first two or three days is normal. See a doctor if, after day three, you notice:
- redness that spreads or grows instead of shrinking
- increasing heat, swelling or pain
- pus, a bad smell or yellow crust
- red streaks running from the tattoo, or fever
Then tell us, so we can help you through the rest of the healing.
This guide is general advice. If we gave you different instructions for your piece or your film, follow those.