AFTERCARE
Your tattoo's final result depends on aftercare. It's not complicated — just follow this order for one week and you'll be fine.
Aftercare sets (protective film, white-cap antibacterial ointment, red-cap topical steroid) are available at our partner clinic inklinic, so you can start caring for your tattoo right away. From visits on 1 September 2026 they carry a separate fee; for visits up to 31 August 2026 they are provided at no additional charge, as before.
DO
Check the care guide below for the exact timing and steps.
DON'T
KIT
Protective film
When
Day 1–3
Role
Protect & keep moist
Antibiotic
When
Day 2–1 week
Role
Prevents infection
Steroid
When
Day 4–1 week, only when itchy
Role
Relieves itching
After the first week, keep the area moisturized (a heparinoid moisturizer is recommended) to prevent dryness and itching.
SUPPLIES
The ointments, protective film, and moisturizer used for aftercare are provided by our partner clinic inklinic on the 1st floor of the same building, following a physician consultation. They are not included in the tattoo price. For first-timers, we recommend the set, which covers everything you need.
| Item | Contents | Price (incl. tax) |
|---|---|---|
| Aftercare Set (S)For first-timers | Protective film (30cm), ointments (cap size), moisturizer | ¥1,500 |
| Aftercare Set (L)For first-timers | Protective film (90cm), ointments (tube size), moisturizer | ¥2,000 |
| Ointment Set | Antibacterial ointment and topical steroid | ¥500 |
| Protective Film Set | 30cm | ¥300 |
| Moisturizer | Contains heparinoid | ¥1,000 |
All of the above are self-pay (non-insured) medical services. Prices shown are tax-inclusive totals; no other charges apply.
Topical medicines can rarely cause contact dermatitis such as rash, itching, irritation, or stinging. Long-term or widespread use of a topical steroid may thin the skin or dilate capillaries. Protective film may cause moisture build-up, itching, or irritation where it is applied. If anything seems wrong, stop using the product and contact inklinic.
inklinic / Jiido Bldg 1F, 3-22-3 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0005 / TEL 03-4400-1862
The ointments and protective film are provided for a fee from visits on 1 September 2026 onward; for visits up to 31 August 2026 they are provided at no additional charge, as before. The moisturizer is not part of this transition — it has always been an optional purchase.
CARE GUIDE
01
Use during this stage
02
Use during this stage
03
Use during this stage
Don't scratch, even when it itches — always moisturize!
WHY IT MATTERS
Why this care works, explained with the evidence (papers and dermatology associations) behind it. Each explanation ends with source numbers linked to the references below.
A tattoo is essentially a shallow abrasion that deposits pigment into the dermis. Keeping it lightly moist under a protective film — rather than letting it dry into a scab — speeds re-epithelialization and helps prevent color loss from scabbing, as shown by classic wound research and clinical reviews of occlusive dressings.
Note: there are no large tattoo-specific trials of the films themselves; this rests on the established moist-wound-healing principle.
Keeping the area clean is the foundation of infection prevention, and washing with soap is the global aftercare standard. Large reviews confirm tap water is as safe as saline for cleansing. Wash gently by hand — never scrub.
When healing skin with a broken barrier meets contaminated water, serious infection can follow. The medical literature documents an outbreak of waterborne nontuberculous-mycobacterial tattoo infections, and a fatal Vibrio vulnificus septic shock in someone who swam in the sea just three days after being tattooed. That is why we avoid submersion until the skin has closed.
Analytical studies show UV light chemically breaks down tattoo pigments and causes fading. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 30+ sunscreen to prevent fading. Sun protection is the key to keeping colors vivid for years.
Forcibly picking scabs disrupts orderly skin regeneration and raises the risk of patchy color, scarring, and infection. Itching is a sign of healing, but scratching ruins the result. When it itches, cool it, moisturize, and (if needed) use the red-cap ointment.
Note: no clinical trial directly measures "scratching causes ink loss"; this advice rests on moist-healing principles and expert consensus.
Moisturizing helps restore the skin barrier and eases dryness and itch. Dry skin itches more, which leads to scratching. After the first week, keep the area hydrated with a moisturizer (a heparinoid product is recommended).
White cap (an antibacterial ointment) is for preventing infection; red cap (a topical steroid) is for itch and inflammation. Both are useful, but use the steroid only when itchy and only short-term — never long-term or on infected skin. Antibiotic ointments can also occasionally cause redness or itching (contact dermatitis). If anything looks wrong, stop and consult our partner clinic.
All sources are peer-reviewed papers or public information from dermatology associations.
01Islam PS, et al. "Medical Complications of Tattoos: A Comprehensive Review". Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, 2016.
View source02Winter GD. "Formation of the Scab and the Rate of Epithelization of Superficial Wounds in the Skin of the Young Domestic Pig". Nature, 1962.
View source03Kannon GA, Garrett AB. "Moist wound healing with occlusive dressings. A clinical review". Dermatologic Surgery, 1995.
View source04Liszewski W, et al. "An Analysis of the Content and Recommendations of 700 American Tattoo Aftercare Instructions". Dermatology (Karger), 2023.
View source05Fernandez R, et al. (Cochrane) "Water for wound cleansing". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2022.
View source06Griffin I, et al. (Florida DOH / CDC / FDA) "Outbreak of Tattoo-associated Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Skin Infections". Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2019.
View source07Hendren N, Sukumar S, Glazer CS. "Vibrio vulnificus septic shock due to a contaminated tattoo". BMJ Case Reports, 2017.
View source08Hauri U, Hohl C. "Photostability and Breakdown Products of Pigments Currently Used in Tattoo Inks". Current Problems in Dermatology (Karger), 2015.
View source09American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) "Caring for tattooed skin". aad.org（米国皮膚科学会）.
View source10Shahbazian JH, et al. "Allergic Dermatitis Due to Topical Antibiotics". Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2012.
View source11Stacey SK, McEleney M. "Topical Corticosteroids: Choice and Application". American Family Physician, 2021.
View source12Gonzalez CD, Walkosz B, Dellavalle RP. "Aftercare Instructions in the Tattoo Community: An Opportunity to Educate on Sun Protection". Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020.
View sourceIf you have a medication allergy, or a doctor has told you to avoid these, do not use them.
If you notice strong redness, swelling, pus, or fever, contact the studio or our partner clinic immediately.
This page is general information and does not replace individual diagnosis or treatment. Your clinic's and doctor's instructions always take precedence.
