Healing takes two weeks. Keep it clean with gentle washing morning and night. Do not soak your tattoo underwater such as in kitchen sinks, bath tubs or swimming pools. Avoid pet fur, touching with unwashed hands or any unclean surfaces. Ensure your bedding is clean and washed. Apply a small amount of non-fragrant moisturising balm when dry or itchy — do not smother it. Bepanthen is fine. You can also use Inky Tattoo Salve (an Australian-made, plant-based product) sold at Deadly Nightshade Atelier. Your tattoo may 'leak' with ink and plasma. This can stain bedding. You can use a clean towel to protect your bedding.