Proper aftercare is crucial to ensure that your irezumi or waboriJapanese tattoo heals properly and looks its best. Follow these steps carefully to maintain the beauty of your tattoo and promote optimal healing.
1. First 3 Days: Use Plastic Wrap
For the first 72 hours after your tattoo, keep it wrapped in plastic film. This will help protect the tattoo from bacteria, dirt, and moisture. It also prevents irritation from clothing or friction.
How to do it: After your tattoo session, your artist will wrap the area in plastic film. Leave this wrap on for at least 2–3 hours after the tattoo is done. After that, clean the tattoo gently with mild, unscented soap and lukewarm water. Pat it dry with a clean towel.
Re-wrap: Once dry, apply a fresh piece of clean plastic wrap over your tattoo. This wrap should stay on for up to 3 days. Change the wrap 3 times a day (morning, afternoon, and night). This is important to keep the tattoo protected and allow it to breathe while also preventing infection.
2. From Day 4 Onward: Switch to Moisturizer
On the 4th day, remove the plastic wrap completely. Now, it’s time to start moisturizing your tattoo. This step helps to keep the skin hydrated and supports the healing process. Do not use ointments or petroleum-based products, as these can clog pores and cause irritation.
Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free, gentle moisturizer over the tattoo 2–3 times a day. Choose a moisturizer that is hydrating but not too greasy, such as a lotion designed for sensitive skin or a tattoo-specific balm.
3. Keep It Clean and Dry
For the entire healing period (usually 2–4 weeks), make sure your tattoo stays clean and dry. Avoid soaking the tattoo in water, such as in hot tubs, pools, or long showers. Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel after washing.
4. Avoid Scratching or Picking
Your tattoo will likely scab, peel, and itch as it heals. This is normal! Do not scratch, pick, or peel the skin. This can cause scarring and damage the design, particularly with detailed irezumi or wabori work. Let the skin naturally shed on its own.
5. Stay Out of the Sun
During the healing process, keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight. UV rays can damage the skin and cause the tattoo to fade. Once your tattoo is fully healed, apply sunscreen to protect the design if you plan to be in the sun.
6. Be Patient
Healing times can vary, but most Japanese tattoos like irezumi or wabori take between 2 and 4 weeks to heal. During this time, continue to moisturize regularly and avoid any activities that might irritate the tattoo, such as tight clothing or excessive movement that might cause rubbing.
