After a tattoo, skip alcohol for 7 days, stay out of pools, the sea and direct sun until it heals, never scratch or peel it, and avoid heavy sweating for about a week. Does it hurt? It depends on placement: fleshy areas hurt less, areas close to bone hurt more. Here are the 12 questions we get asked most, answered straight.
Electric has tattooed in Hanoi since 2011. Everything in this guide matches the aftercare instructions we give every client, so you know exactly what to do before, during and after a tattoo.
Before your tattoo
1. How old do I need to be?
18 or older. We may ask for ID.
2. How should I prepare?
- Sleep well and eat a proper meal before you come. An empty stomach makes you dizzy.
- No alcohol the day before or on the day.
- Wear loose clothes that make the area easy to reach.
- Bring reference images and a photo of the area you want tattooed.
3. When should I not get tattooed?
When you are sick, have a fever, or the skin on that area is damaged. Our booking form asks you to confirm your health, and the artist checks your blood pressure before starting. If you have a medical condition or take medication, tell us first.
Does a tattoo hurt?
4. How much does it hurt?
Yes, it hurts, but most people handle it fine. It feels like a constant scratch or sting. How much depends on placement, size and your own body. The area often feels warm and a little sore for a few days after a tattoo, a bit like a mild sunburn.
5. Where does it hurt most?
- Least painful: outer upper arm, calf, outer thigh, shoulder.
- Moderate: forearm, upper back, inner calf.
- Most painful: ribs, sternum, ankle, back of the hand, elbow, knee.
6. Do you use numbing?
Ask your artist before the session. For large pieces we split the work into several sessions (up to about 7 hours each) so you never have to push past your limit.
What to avoid after a tattoo
Healing is your part of the job. A tattoo heals well when you keep it clean, covered from the sun and left alone. Most problems after a tattoo come from a few habits: drinking, swimming, sun, scratching and the wrong products on the skin.
7. What foods should I avoid after a tattoo?
Most food and drinks are fine. The exception: if your skin is prone to keloids, is sensitive, or you got a Japanese-style tattoo, avoid beef, seafood, sticky rice and river spinach for the first 7 days. Drink plenty of water and fresh juice.
8. How long without alcohol after a tattoo?
At least 7 days. Alcohol and other stimulants slow healing, so skip them for the whole first week.
9. When can I shower or swim?
You can shower from day one with clean water only, and keep shampoo, shower gel and fragrance away from the tattoo while the second skin is on. Avoid very hot water. No pools, sea or long baths until the tattoo is fully healed.
10. What is the daily routine after a tattoo?
- First 72 hours: leave the second skin we applied in place. Larger pieces may get a plastic wrap for 30 minutes to an hour instead.
- After 3 days: gently remove the film and rinse with clean water. No bar soap or wet wipes. Pat dry with a clean paper towel, never rub.
- From day 3: apply ointment, tattoo balm or vitamin A&D up to 3 times a day, or whenever the skin feels dry. Keep going daily until healed.
- Always: wear loose clothes, stay out of the sun, and never scratch or peel, however itchy it gets.
More things to avoid after a tattoo
- Heavy workouts: avoid training that makes you sweat a lot for about a week. Light walking is fine.
- Sun: keep the tattoo out of direct sun until it heals. Loose clothing is the easiest cover.
- Makeup and lotions: do not use makeup, body lotion or creams that are not made for tattoos on the area.
- Tight clothes: tight fabric rubs the skin and can pull at the scab. Choose loose, clean clothes.
- Scratching and peeling: the itch in week 2 is normal. Let the flakes fall off on their own.
Traveling? Plan your tattoo near the end of your trip, so the beach and boat days come before it, not after a tattoo. Hanoi is hot and humid for much of the year, which means more sweat, so rinse gently with clean water and keep the skin dry and covered.
What you can do
- Shower: from day one, with clean water and no very hot water.
- Eat normally: most food is fine. Only sensitive or keloid-prone skin, or a Japanese-style piece, needs the 7-day food list above.
- Walk and explore: city days are fine. Just keep the tattoo covered and out of the sun.
- Drink plenty of water: it helps your skin while it heals.
- Message us: send a photo any time you are unsure. We answer questions long after a tattoo session ends.
Healing after a tattoo, week by week
11. How long does healing take?
About a month. Week 1: mild swelling, redness, some fluid or ink. Week 2: scabbing and peeling, a little itchy. Weeks 3 to 4: the scab is gone but the deeper skin is still healing, so the color may look a bit lighter than the final result.
12. When should I come back?
If swelling, redness or pain gets worse after the first few days, if you see pus, yellow or green discharge, notice an unusual smell, or get a fever or chills. Redness or heat that spreads around the tattoo is another warning sign. Do not wait. Message us straight away and we will take a look, or see a doctor.
For general questions about tattoos and your skin, such as allergic reactions or skin conditions, the American Academy of Dermatology has a useful guide. For your own tattoo, follow the steps your artist gave you.
Lifetime warranty
Every Electric tattoo has a lifetime warranty once healed, as long as you followed the aftercare. We also check in with you about one month after a tattoo. If it fades, blurs or the color looks uneven later, come back to the studio. Details are on our aftercare page.
- Covered: natural fading, patchy color or gaps once healed, and lines that soften as skin ages. Areas that fade easily, like fingers, palms and ankles, get up to 2 touch-ups.
- Not covered: damage from poor care (infection, scratching, sun), tattoos changed by another studio, fading from laser or chemical peels, and big skin changes such as weight change, pregnancy, surgery or scars.
Tattoo prices at Electric
One formula for everyone: 1,800,000–2,200,000 VND (about $69–85) per hour with a standard artist, and a flat 1,000,000 VND (about $38) for anything under 30 minutes. Same price for everyone, Vietnamese or foreign. See real examples in our Hanoi tattoo price guide.
Book a free consultation
Visit 59C Ly Nam De (near the Old Quarter) or 18th Floor, B14 Building, Lane 65 Pham Ngoc Thach, open 09:00 to 21:00 every day. Send us your idea, or message us on WhatsApp: (+84) 94 391 3174.
