Why Aftercare Matters
A new tattoo is an open wound for the first days. How you treat it during healing has a direct effect on how sharp the lines stay and how bright the shading and colour look for years. A great tattoo can be let down by poor aftercare, and on the Costa del Sol there are a few extra risks: strong sun, the sea, swimming pools and heat.
After every session at Oxygen Ink we explain aftercare in person and give you instructions to take home. This page is a general guide; if our personal instructions for your tattoo differ, follow those.
The First 24–48 Hours
- Keep the wrap on for the time we tell you. Depending on the tattoo, this is either a classic wrap for a few hours or a breathable second-skin film for longer.
- Wash gently once the wrap comes off: clean hands, lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Use your fingertips, never a sponge or cloth.
- Pat dry with clean kitchen paper. Don't rub.
- Apply a very thin layer of the aftercare cream we recommend. The tattoo should shine slightly, not be smothered.
- Wear loose, clean clothing over the area and sleep on clean sheets.
Days 3–14: The Healing Phase
- Wash the tattoo two to three times a day and keep moisturising thinly.
- Some flaking and itching is normal around days 4–10. Don't scratch or pick; let the flakes fall off by themselves.
- The tattoo may look cloudy or dull for a while. That's normal and clears as the skin settles.
- Avoid tight clothing, straps or shoes rubbing directly on the tattoo.
Sun, Sea and Pool: The Costa del Sol Rules
| Activity | When it's okay again (general guide) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Direct sun on the tattoo | Avoid until fully healed (around 2–4 weeks) | UV damages healing skin and fades ink |
| Sunscreen on the tattoo | Only once fully healed and no longer flaking | Sunscreen on an open wound can irritate it |
| Swimming in the sea | Not until fully healed, usually at least 2 weeks | Bacteria in the water and salt can cause infection and ink loss |
| Swimming pools and hot tubs | Not until fully healed, usually at least 2 weeks | Chlorine and bacteria irritate the wound |
| Short showers | Fine from day one | Keep them short and don't soak the tattoo |
| Baths, saunas | Avoid for about 2 weeks | Soaking softens scabs and pulls out ink |
| Gym and heavy sweating | Take it easy for the first few days | Sweat, friction and gym equipment can irritate the area |
Getting tattooed on holiday? Plan your appointment so you have about two weeks without sea or pool swimming on that part of your body. Many visitors book their tattoo early in a longer stay, or on their last days and then heal at home. Tell us your plans and we'll help you choose the best timing.
Long-Term Care: Keeping Your Tattoo Sharp
Once your tattoo is fully healed, the biggest threat to it is the sun. On the Costa del Sol you get a lot of it.
- Use a high-SPF sunscreen (SPF 50) on the tattoo whenever it's exposed. Reapply after swimming.
- Cover up with clothing when you're out for a long day at the beach.
- Keep your skin moisturised; healthy skin shows ink better.
- Fine line and colour tattoos benefit most from careful sun protection. Blackwork is the most resistant, but still benefits.
Normal Healing vs Signs to Contact Someone
Normal: some redness and mild swelling for the first two or three days, tenderness, a little clear or ink-coloured fluid on day one, flaking and itching after the first few days.
Contact us, and see a doctor: redness that spreads or gets worse after day three, increasing heat or pain, yellow or green discharge, a bad smell, fever, or red streaks spreading from the tattoo. Infections are rare with good aftercare, but don't wait if you're worried.
Touch-Ups
Sometimes a small area heals a little lighter than the rest, especially on hands, feet or areas that rub against clothing. Once the tattoo is fully healed, get in touch and we'll look at whether a touch-up is needed.
Where Our Aftercare Clients Come From
Our studio is on Avenida de España in Calahonda, right on the coast road between Marbella and Fuengirola, so it is an easy drive from most of the western Costa del Sol. Clients regularly come to us from:
- Marbella – about 20 minutes by car
- Calahonda – right here in Calahonda
- Fuengirola – about 15–20 minutes by car
- La Cala de Mijas – about 10 minutes by car
- Cabopino – about 10 minutes by car
See all the areas we serve or browse our other tattoo styles.