Every week, we get asked the same question: “Can I ruin a new tattoo?” And honestly — yes, you can. But not because your tattoo artist did a bad job. Most tattoo issues come down to the healing process and how you handle aftercare in those first few days.
We’re Uliana Kasperska and the Beauty Brisbane team — professional tattoo artists with over 15 years of experience in both cosmetic and body tattooing. Whether it’s a fine-line design or a soft lips, we’ve seen how proper aftercare instructions make or break your final result.
So let’s go through what can go wrong, how to prevent it, and how to protect your skin (and your investment) from things like UV rays, hot tubs, and even chlorinated pools.
Once you leave the tattoo shop, the responsibility shifts from your artist to you. The first two weeks are crucial for tattoo healing — think of it as wound care with a touch of patience. Here’s what can ruin your expensive full sleeve or small fine line tattoo faster than you’d think:
We had a client who did aerial silks training just 3 days after getting a full sleeve — the repeated friction and sweat caused patchy pigment. Thankfully, a few touch-ups fixed it, but it’s a good reminder: tattoos are art, and wounds need to rest.
| Mistake | Impact | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Taking long baths or swimming in chlorinated pools | Opens skin to bacteria; can cause tattoo infections | Stick to short, lukewarm showers; avoid soaking for 2 weeks |
| Sun exposure in the first month | Fading and inflammation | Use tattoo sunscreen SPF 30+ after healing; cover up outdoors |
| Using petroleum jelly | Clogs pores and suffocates the skin | Switch to breathable tattoo balm or fragrance-free moisturiser |
| Ignoring aftercare instructions | Leads to uneven healing and dry scabs | Follow your tattoo artist’s advice daily |
| Wearing tight gym clothes too soon | Causes irritation and impacts friction | Opt for loose, breathable fabrics until healed |
Skin is a living organ, not a canvas — it regenerates every 27 to 40 days. During this time, pigment settles into the dermis while the outer epidermal layers heal and shed.
In the first week, you’ll notice mild swelling, tightness and maybe some light oozing — all normal. By week two, flaking begins as dead cells lift away. By week three or four, your tattoo may look faded or cloudy (this is the “ghost phase”). Once the new skin matures, clarity returns, usually around week six.
From a cosmetic tattooing perspective, pigment retention depends on:
A 2024 clinical study published in Dermatologic Therapy found that over 70% of poor tattoo outcomes were due to aftercare errors — not artist technique. The science is clear: your daily habits shape your final result.
Don’t panic — most “ruined” tattoos are fixable. If you see light scabbing, uneven tone or patchiness, your skin’s still doing its job. Here’s what to do:
One of our regulars once came back after catching a healing brow tattoo on her jumper sleeve — she thought it was ruined. It wasn’t. The pigment had simply lifted in one small area and was easily corrected during her perfecting session.
Tattoos are technically controlled injuries, and infection prevention is half the job. Here’s how to protect your new ink and your health:
Also, remember that tattooing carries a rare risk of bloodborne disease when done by unlicensed operators. Always check your studio follows Queensland Health infection control standards to avoid exposure to hepatitis B, hepatitis C or other pathogens.
When your tattoo is fully healed, establishing long-term care habits is key to keeping that colour looking great and your skin in top shape. The truth is, how your tattoo looks in the long run depends on how you live—UV exposure, hydration, and even your metabolism all play a part.
If your tattoo is looking faded or problematic, options like saline tattoo removal or a cover-up may help — but only after a proper skin health assessment. Safety always comes first.
With professional experience since 2016, Anastasia specialises in tattoo healing and aftercare, with particular expertise in lip blush and fine line tattooing. Fully certified and licensed in Europe and Australia, she applies advanced healing protocols to support skin recovery, colour retention, and smooth, long-lasting results.
Yes, hot water is a no-no, especially early on — it opens pores, increases blood flow and can cause pigment loss. Stick to cool or lukewarm showers.
Lotions with alcohol or fragrance can irritate healing skin. Use fragrance-free moisturisers or proper tattoo balms.
Look for deep redness, pus, severe pain or fever. If that happens, see a doctor immediately.
No way — sweat, bacteria and tight clothing increase infection risk. Avoid the gym for at least two weeks.
Sorry, no — ocean water and pools introduce bacteria and delay healing. Wait at least 14 days.
