Got a new tattoo in Japan, or traveling here while one heals? The basics are the same everywhere: follow your artist's instructions, wash it gently, moisturize lightly, don't pick, and keep it out of water and sun until it heals. In Japan, that means skipping onsen and sento for a while. This guide covers each step, a healing timeline, which products to use and how to get medical help, based on dermatologist and public health sources.
Key takeaways
- Leave the wrap or film your artist puts on for as long as they tell you
- Wash twice a day with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap, then pat dry with a clean paper towel
- Apply a thin layer of a simple moisturizer or the ointment you were given. A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist advises skipping petroleum jelly until it heals
- No onsen, sento, baths, pools or the sea until it is fully healed, and keep it out of direct sun
- Fever, spreading redness, worsening pain, pus or a bad smell: see a doctor right away
- Find tattoo-friendly onsen for when it has healed
Below are the two tattoo-care products featured in this guide, a moisturizing cream and a sunscreen for healed tattoos, from the Japanese brand Inkcare. While your tattoo heals, your artist's instructions come first.
* Some links include affiliate advertisements (PR).
Why Tattoo Aftercare Matters
A new tattoo is an open wound, so it needs care to avoid infection. (Source: Better Health Channel, Victorian Government, "Tattoos")
Dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, told Cleveland Clinic that poor aftercare can get in the way of healing and leave you with infections, rashes, scars or smudges. In her view, how a tattoo turns out depends on aftercare almost as much as on the artist's skill. (Source: Cleveland Clinic, "Tattoo Aftercare: Instructions and Healing Tips" (March 2026))
Tattoo Aftercare Step by Step: the First Week
Before you leave the studio, your artist should apply a thin layer of ointment and cover the tattoo with a clear bandage or film. After that, the routine looks like this. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
1. Take the wrap off when your artist says
Follow your artist's instructions on how long to keep it covered. Cleveland Clinic says that, depending on the size of the tattoo, you may need to leave it on for at least three hours or more.
Wash your hands first, then soak the bandage in warm water to soften it and peel it off gently. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
2. Wash it gently twice a day
Use a mild, fragrance-free antibacterial soap without perfumes or dyes, and warm (not hot) water. Don't scrub or rub. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
The Victorian Government's Better Health Channel suggests the first wash two to three hours after the tattoo is done, then patting it dry with a clean towel. (Source: Better Health Channel)
3. Pat it dry with a clean paper towel
Pat, don't rub. A clean paper towel works well. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
4. Apply a thin layer of moisturizer or ointment
Use a simple moisturizer or the ointment you were recommended twice a day, so the skin doesn't dry out, crack or bleed. (Source: Cleveland Clinic) Better Health Channel says to apply it lightly and repeat when the skin feels dry. (Source: Better Health Channel)
5. Wear loose clothing
If the tattoo is under your clothes, loose, breathable clothing keeps it from sticking and rubbing. (Source: Cleveland Clinic) Avoid tight or dirty clothes. (Source: Better Health Channel)
Tattoo Healing Timeline
Healing time depends on size and placement. Large tattoos can take a few months to fully heal, while small ones on the hands, wrists or arms tend to heal faster than tattoos on the chest or back. The table follows Cleveland Clinic's guidance. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
| When | What you may see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Covered with a wrap or film | Remove when your artist says |
| First 2 weeks | Redness, oozing, itching, scabs | Wash and moisturize twice a day |
| Around week 3 | Scabs heal, less flaking | Keep washing and moisturizing |
| Around 2 months | Top layer of skin healed | No need to wash it daily |
| After that | Deeper layers keep healing | Moisturize as needed |
In the first couple of weeks, a little oozing (a mix of blood and ink), soreness, redness, itching, flaking and scabs are all normal signs that your body is healing. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
Don't scratch or pick
Scabs fall off on their own. Picking them or pulling off flaky skin can irritate the area or cause an infection. Washing and moisturizing twice a day helps prevent scabbing and eases itching. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
For how long the soreness usually lasts, see our tattoo pain guide.
Choosing a Tattoo Aftercare Cream or Ointment
We couldn't find any research comparing aftercare brands. Health sources offer a few simple rules instead:
- Use what your artist gave you or recommended first (Source: Better Health Channel)
- If you're unsure, ask a pharmacist (Source: Better Health Channel)
- While it heals, apply a thin layer of a simple moisturizer or the recommended ointment (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
- Once healed, use a water-based lotion or cream if the skin feels dry (Source: American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), "Caring for tattooed skin")
Is Vaseline (petroleum jelly) OK on a new tattoo?
The Cleveland Clinic dermatologist recommends avoiding petroleum jelly until the tattoo is fully healed. It can block pores, which may lead to bacteria overgrowth and more inflammation, so she suggests a more pore-friendly product. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
The AAD also notes that petroleum-based products such as petroleum jelly can cause tattoo ink to fade. (Source: AAD) If your artist told you to use it, check with them before switching.
Buying aftercare products in Japan
If you're shopping at a Japanese pharmacy or drugstore, these label words help:
- 無香料 (mukōryō)
- Fragrance-free
- ワセリン (waserin)
- Petroleum jelly
- 日焼け止め (hiyakedome)
- Sunscreen
- 薬剤師 (yakuzaishi)
- Pharmacist
Inkcare After Care Cream (PR)
Inkcare (Inkケアプロダクト) is a Japanese tattoo-care brand, and its products are made in Japan. Its After Care Cream comes in a 100g tube. The maker describes it as a moisturizing and protective cream for freshly tattooed skin. It is free of parabens, synthetic fragrance and colorants, has been stability-tested, and has a geranium scent. (Source: maker's description on Amazon Japan)
The maker suggests applying nothing for the first two days or so, then starting the cream around day 3, once redness and soreness settle and a thin layer of skin forms. (Source: Inkcare official site, "Day 1-3" care guide (Japanese)) If your artist tells you otherwise, follow your artist.
Onsen, Sento, Pools and the Sea: Wait Until It Heals
Until your tattoo is fully healed, health sources say to avoid: (Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Better Health Channel)
- Soaking it in water: hot tubs, baths, onsen, sento, pools or the sea
- Direct sunlight
- Putting sunscreen on it (wait until it heals)
- Tight or dirty clothing
- Exfoliating the area
- Petroleum jelly
- Touching it or picking at scabs
When can I go to an onsen after a tattoo?
Washing is part of daily aftercare. Soaking is not. We couldn't find an official number of days to wait. Cleveland Clinic says to stay out of baths and pools until the tattoo is fully healed, and the top layer of skin is typically healed at around two months. (Source: Cleveland Clinic) If you're unsure, ask your artist.
Once it has healed, Japan's bathing rules still apply. The Japan Tourism Agency explains that many Japanese people link tattoos with organized crime, which is why tattooed people have been banned from most public bathing facilities. Ryokan policies vary widely: some have no restrictions, some decide case by case, and many offer private baths that guests with tattoos can use. (Source: Japan Tourism Agency, "Questions for Ryokan?")
Sun Protection: Keep Your Tattoo From Fading
While it heals, the tattooed skin can be sensitive to direct sunlight, and UV rays can make ink fade faster and look washed out. Keep it out of the sun, and don't put sunscreen on it until it has healed. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
Once it has healed, the AAD recommends: (Source: AAD)
- A broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
- Applying it 15 minutes before you go outside and reapplying at least every two hours
- Staying away from tanning beds and sunlamps, which can fade tattoo ink and raise your risk of skin cancer
Inkcare After Care UV Sunscreen (PR)
This 60g sunscreen is made for tattooed skin and rated SPF50+ and PA++++. SPF is the UVB protection rating and PA is the UVA rating. It is a non-chemical formula with no UV absorbers (chemical filters), scented with lavender and tea tree. (Source: maker's description on Amazon Japan)
The maker recommends using it on skin at least seven days after tattooing. The Cleveland Clinic dermatologist, though, advises no sunscreen until the tattoo is fully healed, so ask your artist when to start. Also note that the Amazon listing describes it as not water-resistant.
Inkcare's official online store (in Japanese) also sells the After Care UV and a medicated After Care Wash (150ml).
Signs of Infection and Getting Medical Help in Japan
Some redness, flaking and scabbing are normal. See a doctor if you notice signs of infection like these: (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
See a doctor right away if you have
A fever / skin that feels hot to the touch / a bad smell or a lot of drainage / pain that gets worse instead of better / redness that keeps spreading, or red streaks running from the tattoo toward the center of your body
Infections can also cause pus-filled bumps, chills and sweats. Some show up soon after the tattoo, and others months later. (Source: Cleveland Clinic, "Tattoo Infection") Better Health Channel adds that you should see a doctor straight away, and tell your tattooist, if the skin becomes very irritated, itchy, red or sore, doesn't heal, or keeps bleeding or oozing. (Source: Better Health Channel)
Skin can also react to tattoo ink, right away or years later. The AAD advises seeing a dermatologist if your tattooed skin changes in any way. (Source: AAD)
In Japan, a dermatology clinic is called 皮膚科 (hifuka). The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) lists these contacts for visitors: (Source: JNTO, "Emergency contact information")
- 119: ambulance and fire, if someone is seriously sick or injured
- Japan Visitor Hotline, 050-3816-2787: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English, Chinese and Korean
- JNTO's medical institution search lets you look up clinics by area, language and medical department
What to Do If Your Aftercare Goes Wrong
First, check the infection signs above. If any apply, see a doctor rather than trying to fix it yourself.
- The skin is dry and cracked, or the scabs are thick: don't scratch, and keep washing and moisturizing twice a day (Source: Cleveland Clinic)
- A product irritates your skin, with strong redness or itching: see a doctor and let your tattooist know (Source: Better Health Channel)
- After healing, some color has dropped out or lines look patchy: contact the studio that did the work. Whether touch-ups are free varies by studio, so it's worth asking at your consultation
For other costs to budget for, see our guide to tattoo prices in Japan.
Tattoo Aftercare FAQ
Can I go to an onsen with a new tattoo?
Not until it has fully healed. The top layer of skin is typically healed at around two months, though it varies by size and placement. After that, check each facility's tattoo policy, since many baths in Japan turn away tattooed guests.
How long should I keep the wrap on?
As long as your artist tells you to. Cleveland Clinic says it may be at least three hours or more, depending on the size of the tattoo.
Can I put Vaseline on a new tattoo?
A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist recommends avoiding petroleum jelly until the tattoo heals, because it can block pores. Use a thin layer of a simple moisturizer or what your artist recommends instead.
Can I shower after getting a tattoo?
Yes, as long as you don't soak it. Once the wrap comes off, washing it twice a day with lukewarm water is part of aftercare. What to avoid until it heals is soaking it in a bath, onsen or pool.
When can I put sunscreen on a new tattoo?
The Cleveland Clinic dermatologist advises waiting until it has fully healed and keeping it out of the sun until then. After that, the AAD recommends a water-resistant SPF 30+ sunscreen, applied 15 minutes before going out.
Where can I buy tattoo aftercare cream in Japan?
Inkcare's cream and sunscreen are sold on Amazon Japan and on Inkcare's own online store (in Japanese). For anything else, ask your artist what they recommend, or ask a pharmacist (薬剤師, yakuzaishi).
My new tattoo itches. What should I do?
Don't scratch. Keep washing and moisturizing twice a day. Itching and flaking are a normal part of the first couple of weeks. If the itch comes with strong redness or pain, see a doctor.
Final Thoughts
Good tattoo aftercare is simple: follow your artist, wash gently, moisturize lightly, don't pick, and keep it out of water and sun until it heals. If you get a fever, spreading redness or worsening pain, see a doctor early.
After it heals, moisturize when the skin feels dry, and use sunscreen in the sun to help protect the ink from UV fading.
* Some links include affiliate advertisements (PR).
This article is based on publicly available information as of October 2026.
