How To Care For A Foot Tattoo?
Julia
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All Healed Up – It usually takes about three months for a tattoo to heal. Until the healing process is finished, your tattoo is vulnerable to infection or irritation. After those first two critical weeks, you can begin to wear shoes when needed, but you still need to baby your tattoo a bit.
- Take your shoes off as soon as possible and then wash and treat the tattoo immediately;
- Keep it out of the sun as much as you can, and apply strong sunblock when you do expose your feet to the elements;
- Friction and UV rays can still cause serious fading, so until it’s been three months you need to be extra careful;
With the right care, your foot tattoo is sure to look amazing for a lifetime..
Contents
- 1 Should I cover my foot tattoo at night?
- 2 Are foot tattoos hard to heal?
- 3 How do you sleep with a foot tattoo?
- 4 How well do foot tattoos hold up?
How long after a foot tattoo can you wear socks?
FOOT TATTOO tips: Pain, healing, planning
And Shoes? Can I Wear Them, and What Kind? – Now, when it comes to foot tattoos, the same sock thing applies to shoes as well. You cannot wear shoes for 2 to 3 weeks, or until your tattoo is fully healed. Shoes might be even more damaging of a tattoo than socks, but when combined, they might mess up your tattoo completely. However, here are two main reasons you should wait for your foot tattoo to heal before you start wearing shoes again;
- To wear shoes, you need to put on socks; socks could stick to your tattoo even more, and if you wear shoes without socks, you could cause a serious tattoo infection.
- Shoes can cause your feet to sweat , which could introduce bacteria to the tattoo, resulting in tattoo inflammation and infection.
But, what if you simply have to wear shoes after you get a tattoo? After all, you still have a life to live, a job to go to, and places to be. We still advise you to wait for at least 2 weeks before you put on any kind of socks or shoes. After all, the tattoo you got is permanent, so you don’t want to mess with something that will remain a part of your body. However, after 2 weeks, you can start wearing open shoes. Even then, there are some things to consider;
- You can wear sandals, slides or slip-on shoes
- You should apply sunscreen to the tattoo and protect it from UV rays
- You should wash the tattoo regularly
- You cannot wear open shoes for too long (you could risk injury or infection)
- Consider wrapping your tattoo when going outside
No te : Some people experience difficulties walking after getting a foot tattoo. It is essential to not put pressure on the tattooed foot until the tattoo is fully healed. A new tattoo is an open wound, so chances are it will be painful and uncomfortable to use your feet until the tattoo is healed. The tattoo will also be swollen and painful so it is best to rest the feet until the tattoo heals.
What can you not do after getting a foot tattoo?
How to Care for a Foot Tattoo – Once your tattoo is completed, here are the basic foot tattoo care instructions you should follow at home:
- Right away when you get home, stay off your foot as much as possible.
- If you experience swelling, use a cold compress.
- It’s important not to touch your tattoo unnecessarily until it has healed.
- Keep the foot clean, but do not take baths or go into pools or bodies of water. It’s important not to soak your tattoo. Showers are okay.
- To clean your tattoo, make sure you are especially gentle. Don’t use a washcloth or loofah. Instead, use just your hand and a pea-sized amount of mild cleanser. Rinse well.
- It’s important not to let your tattoo dry out, so keep it moisturized with a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion. You may apply cling wrap over top to lock in moisture and keep the area clean.
- Do not wear clothing or shoes that chafe or rub your tattoo. Open-toed shoes are usually okay. Soft slippers are best.
- To avoid corrupting the results of your tattoo, keep it out of sunlight for the duration of the healing process.
Haven’t gotten your foot tattoo yet? Keep these things in mind:
- If this is your first tattoo, remember that tattoos where there is thin skin and little cushioning tend to be more painful (i. tattoos on the top of your foot).
- You’ll have some restrictions after getting your tattoo, so plan your schedule accordingly. If you must go out, wearing shoes can be difficult, so it’s best to have ample time for rest and relaxation at home. Don’t plan on going a lot of places, and take a few days off from work if possible — especially if you have a physically demanding job.
- Having both feet in recovery from tattoos can be extra challenging, so it’s best to only do one foot at a time.
Once your tattoo is completed, good tattoo artists will also provide you with a list of detailed aftercare instructions. Follow these closely as well.
Is it OK to wear shoes after a foot tattoo?
‘With ankle/foot placement tattoos it is pretty easy for the healing — don’t wear boots,’ he explains in an email with Bustle. ‘While having a tattoo heal in that placement, you should be wearing a sneaker or something that gives your foot room to breathe.
Should I cover my foot tattoo at night?
This info should guide you through the care of healing your tattoo, but if you have any other questions while it is healing, do not hesitate to contact your artist directly or call the shop for immediate reply. There are no stupid questions about healing.
- – After your tattoo is completed, your artist will bandage your tattoo for your trip home;
- Leave the bandage on for one to three hours;
- When you take the bandage off, wash it with very warm water (as hot as is comfortable) and mild liquid hand soap (like Dr;
Bronner’s, Dial or Softsoap, just no perfumed or exfoliating body washes). Pat it dry gently with a paper towel, and let it air dry the rest of the way (never scrub the tattoo with a towel or sponge). Then you will apply a very small amount of Aquaphor Ointment or plain, unscented skin lotion (we recommend Aveeno, Lubriderm, Curel, or any of their generics) to the tattoo, just enough to lightly moisturize.
- Your first night sleeping, your artist might recommend you re-wrap the tattoo with plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap) to sleep without the tattoo sticking to your sheets. This is generally for larger or solid-color tattoos. If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight.
- Every day from then on, you will wash the tattoo in the morning and at night, and apply lotion 3 times a day or so, or whenever the tattoo feels dry or tight.
- Always wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
- DO NOT apply Vaseline, Neosporin, Bacitracin or any other medicated or perfumed product to your tattoo.
- After a few days, the tattoo will form a thin scab over it, and in about a week the scab will begin to flake off in the shower. DO NOT pick or scratch at the scab, just keep it clean and moist and the scabs will all fall off by themselves in about two weeks. Picking any of the scabs off will cause faded color and damage to the skin.
During healing do NOT:
- Wrap the tattoo after the first night (wearing breathable clothes over it is fine as long as they are not causing friction. (Keeping tattoos wrapped in plastic or bandages will stop air from getting to the tattoo, slow healing, and make gross stuff grow in there. )
- Submerge the tattoo in water. This means baths, pools and oceans. Regular showering is fine.
- Expose it to strong sunlight (Like outdoor activities or beach days. Walking to your car is fine)
- Shave over the tattoo (ouch!)
When all the scabs fall off and the skin feels smooth again to the touch, it is all healed and you can shave over it again, and swim and everything else. Sometimes after the scab falls off there is a secondary shiny, raised or waxy coat over the tattoo. This is just another healing layer of skin. Continue to moisturize it and it will smooth out by itself over time. If you have any questions about your tattoo while its healing you are always welcome to come by the shop and have us check it out, or email the artist who did the tattoo with “AFTERCARE” in the subject line for an immediate response.
Do not slather a big, thick coat of product over it; just enough for it to stay moist and flexible. If you are using Aquaphor, you can switch to a plain lotion after the first few days. Lotion is generally fine for everyone, your artist will recommend if you would benefit from ointment.
If something doesn’t look perfect After your tattoo is finished healing, we’ll do our best to make it right. Sometimes with excessive scabbing, or other unpredictable reactions during healing, your skin can reject some ink, leaving a “light spot” that is closer to your skin color in the tattoo (or a line might get thinner or lighter in one spot).
- This is common as its unlikely your body will accept every spot of pigment uniformly, so just contact your artist via email after your tattoo is finished healing with a photo to see if a small touch up is in order;
Unless you were negligent during the care of your tattoo, touch-ups are very minor and quick, and guaranteed by our artists if you contact them about it within 3 months of getting the tattoo. Because older tattoos that have settled in fully and aged require more work to make uniform, we suggest coming in as soon as possible when it’s healed, as touch ups are performed for a fee at the artist’s discretion after 3 months.
Are foot tattoos hard to heal?
Not all tattoos are created equal, and neither are the methods required to heal them properly. Tattoo aftercare instructions are usually one general set of rules, but some tattoos require specific care. Foot tattoos are one of the most difficult to heal for some, and others shy away from getting a foot tattoo because they’re afraid it will be a painful or difficult healing process.
Can I wear flip flops after foot tattoo?
Can I Wear Shoes After a Foot Tattoo? – The same thing applies to shoes as socks with a new tattoo. You shouldn’t wear anything that could possibly rub your tattoo and cause infection or even scarring. Your foot may be swollen after getting the tattoo and this will make shoes rub even more.
Flip flops are a good choice of footwear if you do have to wear anything at all in the first two or three weeks following a tattoo. The best advice would be to take some time off work if possible or work from home.
This will help as you won’t have to wear anything on your feet and the tattoo will be free to heal without any issues. After two to three weeks you can start to wear open shoes, sandals, or sliders. These will allow your foot to still breathe but will allow you to go ahead with your daily routine.
Can I wear a sock on my foot tattoo?
There’s a lot of information out there when it comes to tattoo aftercare, and not all of it is good information. We compiled a list of the most common questions concerning healing tattoos and posted them here for the benefit of everyone! Whether you’re an ABA client or not, we hope this helps answer some of your tattoo aftercare questions.
- Happy healing! Okay, I just got tattooed;
- What do I do first? We send each of our clients out of the shop with a covering on their tattoo;
- Your first step after getting home is to remove this covering, and wash your tattoo;
We recommend removing this covering within the hour, to prevent the build up of fluids. Gently wash your tattoo with warm water and a mild, unscented liquid soap (we like Dr. Bronner’s). Pat your tattoo dry with a fresh paper towel. Do not apply a new cover or bandage.
How often should I wash my tattoo? For the first 5-7 days, wash your tattoo 2-3 times a day. After this initial healing period is over, you can cut back to once a day. Make sure you’re still using that same mild, unscented liquid soap we talked about earlier.
How long will my tattoo take to heal? Generally speaking, you’re looking at 1-2 weeks for most small tattoos to heal. Larger pieces and pieces with solid sections of black or color may take longer. Should I put anything else on my tattoo? Like A&D ointment? Nope! The only time you should put anything on your tattoo is during/after the flaky stage.
Then, you can start applying a thin layer of unscented lotion (Lubriderm is great for this) once or twice a day. I heard you were supposed to keep your tattoo bandaged while it heals, to keep it from getting wet.
Is that true? Heck nope! Your tattoo is just like any other minor wound, you don’t want to suffocate it. Your body will having a much easier time healing if it is simply kept clean (this includes washing it! with water!) and dry. Can I go swimming with a fresh tattoo? Soaking or submerging your healing tattoo in any body of water is not advised.
- Hold off for a couple of weeks, and then you can show off your beautifully-healed tattoo at the beach all you want;
- I just got a tattoo on my foot;
- Can I swear socks? You sure can! Wear clean socks & shoes just like you normally would, and wash the tattoo after you take them off;
It is not necessary to apply a barrier between the tattoo and your sock. Can I exercise with a healing tattoo? Definitely! Live your life! If the exercise is causing your tattoo to become irritated, it might be a good idea to do something else. Otherwise, you’re fine.
Your sweat will not damage the tattoo, and you can simply wash it away after you’re done. Part of my tattoo looks like it’s missing. What do I do? It is possible that your tattoo requires a touch-up. It happens.
If the tattoo is still healing, continue to follow aftercare until it is completely healed (the skin is no longer flaky or shiny). When your tattoo is healed, call us to schedule a free touch-up appointment (if we did your tattoo, that is)..
How painful is a tattoo on your foot?
Hands, fingers, feet, and toes – The tops and insides of the hands and feet, as well as fingers and toes, are popular places to be tattooed. Being tattooed anywhere on your hands and feet can cause severe pain. The skin here very thin, and it contains numerous nerve endings that can trigger pain when hit by a tattoo needle.
Can I wear jeans 3 days after tattoo?
What Kind Of Clothes Should I Avoid After Getting Tattooed? – For the ladies out there; if the tattoo is placed in the chest/breast area, ladies should avoid wearing a bra, at least while at home. At work or outdoors, one can wear a looser-fitting bra, to avoid moisture build-up and putting pressure onto the tattoo.
Tight-fitting bras can make the area sweaty, but also restrict the airflow, which can trap moisture and lead to infections. If loose-fitting bras don’t do the job, then we advise the ladies to simply go braless.
For both, ladies and gentlemen, avoid wearing jeans and pants (with tight waistband), for tattoos placed on hips, gluteus area, thighs, intimate area, lower abdomen, lower or middle back. To avoid putting pressure and restricting airflow, avoid tight-fitting jeans and pants.
The same goes for leggings and skinny jeans. The best alternative is sweatpants, loose-fitting pants, or loose-fitting shorts. In the case of a foot tattoo, it is essential to go barefoot for as long as possible.
Socks are a no-go , since they’re tight-fitting, as well as boots, heels, strappy sandals, and tight-fitting footwear overall. If you do have to wear shoes, try to wear slides or flip-flops to avoid the shoes or socks rubbing against the tattoo. It is also important to avoid tight-fitting gym clothing, like leggings, tops, yoga pants, gymnastics clothing , etc.
How do you sleep with a foot tattoo?
How well do foot tattoos hold up?
PurSan – PurSan Aftercare is a specially formulated Vegan skin cleanser used to clean and moisturize as part of an aftercare regimen for fresh tattoos and piercings. It revitalizes, refreshes and purifies skin without drying it out. Gentle yet effective, PurSan contains no parabens, fragrances, colourants or alcohol.
Chloroxylenol (PCMX) is a proven antimicrobial ingredient shown to be effective against bacteria and viruses without burning or irritating the skin. Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (Hypromellose) is an ultra-high grade lubricant ideal for sensitive skin.
Get Yours Today In addition to selecting proper footwear, you’ll want to gently wash your tattoo with a fragrance-free soap at least twice a day. After washing, pay the tattoo dry with a clean towel or fresh paper towel and then apply a thin layer of unscented lotion or tattoo aftercare balm.
You’ll also want to resist the urge to pick at any scabs or peeling skin. Scabbing is normal and should be left alone. Once the tattoo is fully healed, take care to protect it from the sun by either covering it or applying sunblock before going out.
Do keep in mind however that foot tattoos will almost always need touching up at some point in their life-span, as they will usually fade a bit over time, even when cared for properly.
How do I take care of my tattoo the first week?
Aftercare for Your Tattoo – So, how can you make sure that new tattoo is something you don’t end up regretting? Follow these steps while your new tattoo heals.
- Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage.
- Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water and be sure to pat dry.
- Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don’t put on another bandage.
- Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and water and gently pat dry before reapplying the antibacterial/Vaseline ointment.
- Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean it to keep it moist.
You should repeat this process for 2 to 4 weeks. Also try not to wear clothes that will stick to your tattoo, and avoid swimming and the sun for about 2 weeks. And take cool showers. Scalding hot water will not only hurt, but it can also fade the ink. Wear a physical blocker sunscreen with at least 7% zinc oxide sunscreen during the daylight hours and/or cover it up (with clothing, a bandage).
How often should you moisturize a new tattoo?
Should I apply lotion to my tattoo? What kind of tattoo care products do you recommend? – Yes! Moisturizing your tattoo regularly is extremely important. You should moisturize your clean tattoo 3 – 6 times per day, for roughly two weeks (though proper skincare is always important, and most tattoo enthusiasts moisturize their tattoos daily for life!). A white cream lotion or moisturizer, preferably unscented, should be used! We recommend these fragrance-free, white cream lotions: Aveeno , Curel , and Eucerin . Be warned: your favorite fragranced lotion is not a good option for moisturizing your tattoo – this can cause an excruciating burning sensation when applied to the tattoo, which is essentially an open wound. The fewer chemicals in the product, the better! Pure cocoa butter or shea butter is also popular for darker skin tones and is a fine option. There are some manufacturers who design products specifically for tattoo aftercare that work well for long-term care (such as Tattoo Goo , H2Ocean , and Hustle Butter ). Do NOT use aloe vera gel to moisturize, and we don’t recommend A&D ointment either, as the oil in these products can extract some of the ink from your tattoo.
Can I drink 2 days after getting a tattoo?
Drinking before or after – That drink beforehand is not smart. Bruno Vincent/Getty Images If you’re thinking about downing some liquid courage before taking the plunge, think again. Drinking before and after getting a tattoo is a no-no. Alcohol thins your blood, which means excess bleeding. When you bleed more than normal, it can cause visibility issues for the artist, potentially compromising the quality of the design.
Excess bleeding can also thin the ink. Of course, there’s also the fact that alcohol impairs judgment, and you don’t want to make permanent decisions while impaired. And it’s not cute if you have to stop and puke in the middle of a four-hour tattoo session.
Furthermore, drinking after the fact can compromise the healing of the tattoo because of its effects on your blood, so take it easy for a bit.
Should I put ointment on my tattoo before bed?
The best tips to sleep on the new tattoo – Let’s explore how not to worry about the tattoo condition when you wake up. There are also tips to ensure that you don’t get the ink from your tattoo on your bed sheets or end up ruining them!
- Applying ointment can be a way to create a barrier between the tattoo and anything that will potentially cause infection. Don’t use vaseline as this will not let your tattoo breathe. Specific tattoo ointments are required.
- Change your bedsheets and use old sheets for sleeping. It’s not unusual for some seeping to take place. If your tattoo comes in touch with the sheets then you can ruin your bedsheets, ink is not designed to wash out. It’s a good idea to sleep using old sheets you don’t mind throwing away.
- You can shower before you sleep, but keep showers short, and do not put the showerhead directly over the area you have had tattooed, as this can cause damage to the tattoo and skin, plus it can hurt.
- Talk to your tattoo artist. They should give you a guide to aftercare. Depending on whether they have decided to wrap the tattoo and what they have used to create the tattoo may influence how the tattoo needs to be cared for.
- Elevate the tattoo if you can. This helps the blood flow and can allow the tattoo to heal much quicker. This makes sleep easier and means you don’t have to worry so much about sleep.
- Moisturize your tattoo. This can make your sleep much more comfortable and easy. If you don’t, the skin can get tight and itchy, and this can make it hard to even get to sleep.
- Germs are the enemy. The absolute worst-case scenario is getting an infection. Keeping your tattoo clean is absolutely imperative, otherwise, it can cause you health issues.
Aftercare is absolutely vital for your tattoo and you should always follow the tips that your tattoo artist gives you. Keep the tattoo clean and moisturized, as well as wrapping and re-wrapping to keep it isolated. Your tattoo should never be subjected to germs or bacteria or you might end up with a trip to a doctor or emergency room. If the tattoo doesn’t start to heal or if it seeps up then you may have to seek medical attention or at least contact the tattoo shop where you got inked.
Can I wear a sock on my foot tattoo?
There’s a lot of information out there when it comes to tattoo aftercare, and not all of it is good information. We compiled a list of the most common questions concerning healing tattoos and posted them here for the benefit of everyone! Whether you’re an ABA client or not, we hope this helps answer some of your tattoo aftercare questions.
- Happy healing! Okay, I just got tattooed;
- What do I do first? We send each of our clients out of the shop with a covering on their tattoo;
- Your first step after getting home is to remove this covering, and wash your tattoo;
We recommend removing this covering within the hour, to prevent the build up of fluids. Gently wash your tattoo with warm water and a mild, unscented liquid soap (we like Dr. Bronner’s). Pat your tattoo dry with a fresh paper towel. Do not apply a new cover or bandage.
How often should I wash my tattoo? For the first 5-7 days, wash your tattoo 2-3 times a day. After this initial healing period is over, you can cut back to once a day. Make sure you’re still using that same mild, unscented liquid soap we talked about earlier.
How long will my tattoo take to heal? Generally speaking, you’re looking at 1-2 weeks for most small tattoos to heal. Larger pieces and pieces with solid sections of black or color may take longer. Should I put anything else on my tattoo? Like A&D ointment? Nope! The only time you should put anything on your tattoo is during/after the flaky stage.
- Then, you can start applying a thin layer of unscented lotion (Lubriderm is great for this) once or twice a day;
- I heard you were supposed to keep your tattoo bandaged while it heals, to keep it from getting wet;
Is that true? Heck nope! Your tattoo is just like any other minor wound, you don’t want to suffocate it. Your body will having a much easier time healing if it is simply kept clean (this includes washing it! with water!) and dry. Can I go swimming with a fresh tattoo? Soaking or submerging your healing tattoo in any body of water is not advised.
Hold off for a couple of weeks, and then you can show off your beautifully-healed tattoo at the beach all you want. I just got a tattoo on my foot. Can I swear socks? You sure can! Wear clean socks & shoes just like you normally would, and wash the tattoo after you take them off.
It is not necessary to apply a barrier between the tattoo and your sock. Can I exercise with a healing tattoo? Definitely! Live your life! If the exercise is causing your tattoo to become irritated, it might be a good idea to do something else. Otherwise, you’re fine.
- Your sweat will not damage the tattoo, and you can simply wash it away after you’re done;
- Part of my tattoo looks like it’s missing;
- What do I do? It is possible that your tattoo requires a touch-up;
- It happens;
If the tattoo is still healing, continue to follow aftercare until it is completely healed (the skin is no longer flaky or shiny). When your tattoo is healed, call us to schedule a free touch-up appointment (if we did your tattoo, that is)..
Do socks fade tattoos?
Think About Tattoo Placement For example, tattoos on body parts like your palms feet will likely experience way more more friction, than say, a tattoo on the back of your neck. Shoes and socks can potentially cause fading over time, since your feet may constantly have something rubbing against them.
Can you wear compression socks over a new tattoo?
Answers from doctors (10) Your compression hose should not affect your new tattoo in any truly negative way. It may be uncomfortable to wear the hose as they will be touching the tattoo and if the area is tender and the hose rub against the newly tattooed skin, there may be some discomfort.
Do foot tattoos fade fast?
Do Foot Tattoos Fade Quickly? – As far as tattoo locations go, the feet are known to fade more quickly than other placements. “The reason foot tattoos fade more quickly is because they come in contact with your shoes,” Woodburn says. “If you’re worried about fading, I would choose a bolder design to ensure it lasts the rest of time.
” What she means is that those delicate fine line tattoos might not be the best choice for a foot tattoo placement, as the thin lined design will fade as opposed to something bolder. However, you truly can get whatever you type of tattoo you want, as it’s just a blank canvas.
“Foot tattoos can be any size, but because my style of tattooing is focused on creating designs that fit the body, they tend to be on the larger size,” Woodburn says. Foot tattoos can bleed ink over time, as the foot is used so regularly, and small tattoos can become tiny smudgy masses if they’re placed on parts of the foot you use.
Behind the ankle, you’re safe, but anywhere else, you’ll have to scale the image up. Some tattoo artists choose not to do foot tattoos at all, on the grounds that they can be easily infected if not taken care of and fade very fast.
Make sure to do your research and discuss your tattoo idea with an artist or two first, so you don’t bombard an artist who isn’t willing to do one or who doesn’t work in an artistic style that lends well to foot tattoos — i. fine line and color tattoos that will rub off and fade over time.