Take care of it.
A tattoo is an open wound for the first 1–2 weeks. Saigon's tropical climate — heat, humidity, sun, sudden rain — adds real complexity to healing. Follow these guidelines for the first 4 weeks and your tattoo will heal cleanly and hold its vibrancy long-term.
What to expect, day by day.
Healing isn't linear. Each phase brings different challenges. This is what's normal — and what isn't.
The first 24 hours
Leave the protective wrap on for 2–4 hours (or overnight if we've used Saniderm or Second Skin film). Remove it gently — never tear. Wash the area with cool or lukewarm water and unfragranced antibacterial soap, using only your clean hand. Pat dry with a clean paper towel or fresh cloth — never rub. Apply a very thin layer of recommended aftercare ointment.
The "oozing" phase
Wash twice daily. Continue thin ointment after each wash. The tattoo may leak plasma and excess ink — this is normal. Don't apply too much ointment; the skin needs to breathe. Light swelling continues. Sleep on a clean sheet, ideally with the tattoo exposed to air at night.
The itch & peel phase
The tattoo will start to itch — sometimes intensely. Do not scratch. Light scabbing and peeling begins. The tattoo may look dull, cloudy, or even faded. This is the top layer of skin shedding — completely normal. Switch from ointment to a lighter unscented moisturizer if your skin feels oily or breaks out. Slap (not scratch) if the itch becomes unbearable.
Outer healing complete
The surface skin has healed, but deeper layers are still repairing. Colour returns and the tattoo regains vibrancy. Continue moisturizing 1–2 times daily. You can resume gentle exercise, but avoid heavy sweating directly on the tattoo for the full 4 weeks. Sun exposure is still off-limits.
Long-term care
Fully healed. Now it's about protection. Moisturize when the skin feels dry. Always use SPF 50+ on exposed tattoos — UV is the single biggest cause of fade. Tattoos darken slightly during the final settling weeks. If you notice patchy areas or light spots once fully healed, contact us for a free touch-up within the 1-year window.
What makes healing different here.
Aftercare advice from temperate climates doesn't translate directly to Saigon. Four factors deserve extra attention.
Heat & Humidity
Saigon's humidity sits at 70–95% most of the year. That's a problem for two reasons: bacteria multiply faster in humid environments, and ointment doesn't absorb the same way it does in dry climates.
UV Intensity
Vietnam's UV index regularly hits 11+ (extreme). Direct sun on a new tattoo will burn the wound, fade the ink, and slow healing. This isn't optional caution.
Sweat & Rain
Heavy sweating during the first 2 weeks reintroduces bacteria into the wound. Monsoon-season rain can soak a tattoo before you find shelter — also problematic.
Motorbike Travel
Riding bare-skinned with a new tattoo is asking for problems: dust, exhaust particles, sun exposure, fabric chafing from jackets, sweat trapped under clothing.
The wash & moisturize, step by step.
Twice daily for the first 2 weeks. Once daily after that until fully healed. Same five steps each time.
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01
Wash your hands first
Always. Soap and water, 20 seconds. Dry on a clean towel. The biggest infection risk is your own hands carrying bacteria onto the tattoo.
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02
Cool or lukewarm water only
Never hot. Hot water opens pores, increases swelling, and can fade fresh ink. Cool water tightens the skin and slows seepage.
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03
Unfragranced antibacterial soap, gentle palm only
Work soap into a lather in your palm first, then apply to the tattoo with light circular motions. No cloths, no loofahs, no scrubs. Rinse thoroughly.
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04
Pat dry with a clean disposable surface
Paper towel, kitchen roll, or a freshly laundered cotton towel used only on the tattoo. Pat — never rub. Bathroom towels carry bacteria; don't use them.
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05
Thin layer of ointment
Pea-sized amount per palm-sized area. Spread thinly until the tattoo looks shiny but not gunky. Too much suffocates the skin and traps moisture — worse in humid climates. Less is more.
Do's & don'ts.
The full healing rules condensed into two lists. Bookmark this section.
Do
- Wash hands before touching the tattoo
- Wash the tattoo 2× daily with unfragranced soap
- Pat dry with disposable or fresh cotton
- Apply a thin layer of recommended ointment
- Wear loose, breathable, clean cotton clothing
- Sleep on a freshly washed sheet for the first 3 nights
- Use air-con — dry air helps healing
- Drink plenty of water, eat well, sleep enough
- Stay shaded outdoors for the first 4 weeks
- Apply SPF 50+ daily once fully healed
- Contact us if anything looks off
Don't
- Scratch, pick, or peel scabs or flakes
- Soak in baths, pools, the sea, or hot springs (3 weeks min.)
- Expose to direct sun for 4 weeks
- Sweat heavily — no gym, hot yoga, or long runs (2 weeks)
- Wear tight, rough, or coloured fabric over fresh ink
- Use scented soap, lotion, or perfume on the area
- Apply makeup, sunscreen, or other products in the first 2 weeks
- Drink heavily or smoke heavily — both slow healing
- Let pets or others touch the tattoo
- Ride a motorbike bare-skinned with the tattoo exposed
- Self-medicate with unknown creams or "traditional" remedies
Warning signs to watch for.
Most healing discomfort is normal. These specific signs aren't — see a doctor and let us know.
Signs of infection
- Increasing redness or swelling after Day 3
- Yellow, green, or thick discharge (pus)
- Red streaks spreading outward from the tattoo
- Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell
- Severe pain that worsens day-on-day instead of fading
- Hot to the touch beyond Day 5
- Foul smell from the tattoo
If any of these appear: see a doctor immediately. Don't wait. Infections caught early are usually minor; left late, they're serious. Bring photos of the tattoo's appearance day-by-day if you have them.
Allergic reactions
- Persistent itching past Week 2
- Bumpy, raised, or lumpy texture in colour areas
- Rash extending beyond the tattoo outline
- Skin flaking heavily past Week 3
What this means: rare, but possible — usually a reaction to red or yellow pigments. See a doctor for treatment, and message us so we can document and learn.
Quick answers.
How long until my tattoo is fully healed?
The surface layer heals in about 2 weeks. Deeper layers take 4–6 weeks. The tattoo is considered fully healed at 4 weeks for most pieces — longer for large compositions or pieces over joints.
When can I exercise again?
Gentle exercise — walking, slow cycling — is fine from Day 4 if it doesn't make you sweat heavily on the tattoo. Hold off on the gym, hot yoga, or anything intense for at least 2 weeks. Avoid stretching the skin over the tattoo (yoga, pull-ups) for the first 10 days.
When can I swim or go to the beach?
No swimming for at least 3 weeks — that's pools, the sea, and Saigon's river. Salt water and chlorine both irritate fresh ink, and any submersion risks infection. Quick showers are fine from Day 1.
My tattoo looks dull and cloudy — is something wrong?
No — that's completely normal during the peeling phase (Days 4–10). The top layer of skin sheds, which makes the tattoo look milky or faded. Colour returns once the new skin layer fully settles around Week 3–4.
Can I use baby oil, coconut oil, or local remedies?
No. Stick to fragrance-free aftercare-specific products. Baby oil clogs pores. Coconut oil is comedogenic and varies wildly in purity. Traditional remedies (turmeric, herbal pastes, etc.) are well-intentioned but unsterile and unpredictable. If our recommended products aren't available, plain unscented Cetaphil or Cerave moisturizer works.
What about touch-ups?
Every tattoo comes with a one-year touch-up window. If your tattoo shows fading, patchy spots, or breaking lines within 12 months of completion, message us and we'll book you in for a touch-up at no extra cost. Heavy aftercare-related damage (heavy sun exposure, swimming during healing) may not qualify — we assess case by case.
We're here for it.
Healing not going to plan? Send us a photo on WhatsApp. We've seen it all — we'll tell you whether it's normal or worth seeing a doctor. Touch-ups within 12 months are on us.