When Should I Wash My Tattoo After Getting It?
The first wash – After usually no less than 5 hours, it is safe to remove the bandage and wash the tattoo. After thorough hand-washing, a person can gently wash the tattoo with hypoallergenic soap and warm water using their fingers. The moisturizer on the skin will come off, and the tattoo may appear as if it is oozing ink or a thick, sticky substance.
This reaction is not usually a cause for concern, as it is just the excess fluid and ink from the tattoo process. After washing, a person should pat the skin with a clean paper towel and allow it to air-dry for up to an hour.
When the area is completely dry, they can apply a thin layer of moisturizer to the tattoo, but leave it uncovered to allow the skin to breathe.
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Can You Wash your tattoo after it’s done?
Wash The Tattoo With Antibacterial Soap – It is not only important to wash your hands when handling the tattoo, you also must wash the tattoo and the tattooed area. Apply antibiotic ointment or moisturizer to do this, making sure to remove the bandage that is covering the tattoo (the tattoo artist will wrap the tattoo after the session is completed), and wash the area with antibacterial soap and lukewarm water.
However, you cannot wash your tattoo immediately after it is completed. The bandage needs to cover the tattoo for several hours, or however many hours the tattoo artist recommends. Only after several hours can you remove the bandage and clean the tattoo, when all the blood or plasma starts oozing from the tattoo.
Even if you don’t see the tattoo oozing after a few hours (which may be the case with simple line work) you should still take off the tattoo film when directed by your tattoo artist. This is important because keeping trapped blood and plasma close to your skin will cause an infection – it needs to be gently cleaned away.
How soon can you shower after getting a tattoo?
Exactly when to wash your new tattoo – She adds that, when you do go to clean your new tattoo, do so with a fragrance-free, antibacterial soap (like one of these choice recommendations ) and warm water. Be sure to dry it completely, either using a blowdryer on a cool setting or gently dabbing the area with a paper towel, then apply a moisturizing ointment like Aquaphor (after the first few days, Richmond says you can switch from an ointment to a lotion).
So, you can (and should ) clean your new tattoo pretty soon after getting it. But, as far as showering goes, Richmond says to wait 24 hours — and, even then, don’t let the water’s stream hit your tattoo directly.
Keep up that initial cleaning routine a few times a day for two to four weeks while your skin heals. You might start to notice scabbing or crusting around your tattoo, but this is totally normal. A tattoo is like any other wound — it has to scab in order to heal (so resist the urge to pick at it).
With that in mind, it’s still very important to keep your tattoo out of direct contact with water during this period. Richmond explains that your skin barrier isn’t fully intact until the tattoo is done healing, so any possible contaminants in a swimming pool or bath tub could very easily find their way into your skin and cause an infection.
In other words, wait until your skin looks healed and free of scabs (depending on the size and location of your tattoo, this might take longer than four weeks) before you think about taking a dip. Bottom line: Try your best to stay aware of your new tattoo and be cautious of water, sun and cleanliness for the first few weeks.
How do I care for my Tattoo at home?
How Long Should I Wrap My New Tattoo? – A common error when wrapping a new tattoo has to do the length of time that it is actually wrapped. Most bandages and other wraps can be worn for a bit longer than cling film. Suggested Time Frames for Wrapping Your Tattoo
- Wrap your tattoo for the first hour or two, for the journey home. Once home, wash and let your tattoo air dry before applying any aftercare cream.
- Wrap tattoo during sleep for approximately three to five days. When you wake, remove wrapping the and wash immediately with anti-bacterial foam wash.
- Stop wrapping your tattoo when your tattoo has completely sealed itself naturally with a healthy layer of skin.
- If you’re wrapping your tattoo to avoid a dirty environment, only remove the wrapping once you have washed your hands and are in a clean place.
What is the best time to wrap a tattoo?
How Long Should I Wrap My New Tattoo? – A common error when wrapping a new tattoo has to do the length of time that it is actually wrapped. Most bandages and other wraps can be worn for a bit longer than cling film. Suggested Time Frames for Wrapping Your Tattoo
- Wrap your tattoo for the first hour or two, for the journey home. Once home, wash and let your tattoo air dry before applying any aftercare cream.
- Wrap tattoo during sleep for approximately three to five days. When you wake, remove wrapping the and wash immediately with anti-bacterial foam wash.
- Stop wrapping your tattoo when your tattoo has completely sealed itself naturally with a healthy layer of skin.
- If you’re wrapping your tattoo to avoid a dirty environment, only remove the wrapping once you have washed your hands and are in a clean place.
