Tattoo Aftercare in Lombok's Heat and Humidity

Lombok's beach days, humidity and sun can make tattoo aftercare difficult to fit around a holiday. Start with the instructions your artist gives you for your specific tattoo and dressing. Here is the basic approach we use at Lalu Tattoo Studio in Kuta Mandalika.

Clean gently

Wash your hands before touching the area. Follow your artist's directions for removing any dressing. Our studio guidance is to wash gently twice daily with fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water, then pat dry rather than rubbing. Avoid picking at peeling skin or scabs.

Use a light amount of aftercare product

Our guidance is a light sheen, not a thick coat of cream. Too much product can leave the area damp, especially in humid weather. Ask the artist what product and amount to use for your tattoo; do not improvise with harsh cleaners.

Keep it out of the ocean and pool

Do not surf, swim or soak a fresh tattoo. The studio advises at least 14 days away from ocean and pools, and you should wait longer if healing is incomplete. Water can carry germs into broken skin. A quick shower and prolonged immersion are different situations.

Protect it from sun and friction

Keep a fresh tattoo out of direct sun and use loose, clean clothing to reduce rubbing. Once healed, sun protection helps preserve the tattoo; the American Academy of Dermatology recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher for tattooed skin exposed to sun. Do not treat sunscreen as a substitute for protecting freshly broken skin.

Know when to seek help

Some initial redness and tenderness can occur, but increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever or pain that gets worse needs medical attention. If you are travelling, find a local clinician instead of relying on a chat message to diagnose a possible infection.

Planning a tattoo while in Kuta Lombok? Tell us when your beach and surf days are scheduled, and we can discuss timing before you book.

Further reading

CDC recreational water safety — https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/safety/how-to-safely-visit-oceans-lakes-and-rivers.html . American Academy of Dermatology tattooed skin guidance — https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/tattoos/caring-for-tattooed-skin .