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How Long Do I Keep Tattoo Wrapped?

• Julia
• 09.12.2022
• 0
• 44

You’ll need to keep your tattoo wrapped in cling film from one to three days. Depending on the size of your artwork this may be longer and your artist will let you know but a general rule of thumb is: Small line-work pieces – keep the cling film on for one to two days.

How long should you wrap a tattoo before it exposed?

How Long To Keep Tattoo Covered In Cling Film – When you receive a tattoo it is usually covered by cling film in order to prevent infection and reduce bleeding. Most artists recommend wrapping tattoos for between one and three days but there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to how long to keep the wrap on tattoos before they are exposed.

• Generally, tattoo artists suggest that after the tattoo has been wrapped in cling film it is essential that you do not remove the bandage or expose your tattoo to direct sunlight for at least 24 hours;

One of the biggest factors involved when deciding how long a tattoo will need to remain wrapped in cling film concerns the area on which the design was created. Generally speaking, tattoos that cover larger areas will require more time to heal than those covering smaller areas.

Another important factor to consider is the age and general condition of the individual. Overall, young people heal faster than adults. People who are generally in good health recover from tattoos more quickly than those with a weakened immune system.

If you have a tattoo done at a parlour or professional studio, it can be helpful to inquire as to their wrapping policies. A parlor or artist should inform their clients for how long they should keep the bandages on after tattooing. In getting a tattoo done, it is important to make sure that you follow instructions from your parlor or artist, because they know the right time to take off the tattoo wrap – and don’t forget to thank them properly !  There may be particular factors that lead them to wrap tattoos for longer periods of time than usual.

• Make sure that your tattoo is wrapped securely in cling film. This helps prevent seepage as well as keeping the area moist as it heals;
• Keep one hand clean and use this hand when unwrapping your bandages so that you do not re-contaminate the tattoo;
• Follow aftercare instructions provided by your parlour or artist. If you are unsure about anything, ask questions;
• Do not ever soak your tattoo unless specifically advised to do so by a professional;
• Do not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight for the first few days after it has been wrapped in cling film, even if some time has elapsed since the bandage was removed.

Do Tattoo wraps expire?

How Long Should I Keep My Tattoo Wrapped? – With so much conflicting information about tattoo wraps, it is easy to become overwhelmed about when you should be removing your tattoo wrap. Though the wrap acts as an ultimate barrier of protection for your tattoo, it does have an expiry date on efficiency! A tattoo wrap keeps bacteria out of your tattoo, ensures a hydrating environment to soothe swelling and irritation, and allows your tattoo the opportunity to rest directly after trauma.

• While there is a sweet point of tattoo wrap success, it’s important to always remember that more damage can be done to a tattoo by keeping a wrap on for too long than can be done to a tattoo by taking it off too early;

Your tattoo artist may give you specific directions about your tattoo wrap and the length of time it should remain on for. If this is the case, it’s always best to follow the direction of the artist who knows your skin and knows their art. If your tattoo artist does not give you any direction, we always recommend removing the wrap after four to six hours.

While some people like to keep a tattoo wrap on for their first sleep to avoid the tattoo making contact with bedsheets and collecting dirt and grime, we don’t see the necessity of sleeping with a tattoo wrap, especially when rest gives it the optimal time to breathe and heal.

How Long Should You Keep Your Tattoo Wrapped? *Cling vs Tattoo Film* | Sorry Mom

For sleeping with a new tattoo, simply check out How To Sleep With A New Tattoo – Your Helpful Guide. When unwrapping a new tattoo, you can’t merely dive in and get going. It’s important to follow some specific steps in order to ensure your vulnerable wound receives optimal aftercare.

1. Prior to unwrapping your new tattoo, ensure you have washed your hands thoroughly.
2. After washing your hands, you can gently remove your wrap. Have patience and do this slowly, as pieces may stick to your wound. If this happens, simply wet the area with some lukewarm water to unstick the wrap from your tattoo. Do not pull at these pieces.
3. Using antibacterial soap , you can now begin to clean your unwrapped tattoo. For more information on cleaning your new ink, check out our article How Do I Clean My New Tattoo? – An Ink Aftercare Guide.

Depending on the wrap used, your experience removing the wrap may differ.

• Saran Wrap – You may notice this wrap coming undone earlier than four hours, so it’s better to remove the wrap earlier and wash your tattoo than allowing germs to go under the wrap.
• Cloth Gauze – This product may stick to a tattoo, so be extra careful during the removal process.
• Medical Grade Adhesive Wraps – These are usually stuck directly onto the tattoo, so it may cause additional sensitivity when peeling them away.
• Plastic Gauze – Though these are excellent at absorbing excess ink, blood, and plasma without sticking to your tattoo, be sure to thoroughly wash your ink as usual.

If you are ever in doubt as to when a wrap should be removed, don’t hesitate to call your tattoo shop and ask for directions.

How often should you change your tattoo wrap?

How long should you keep your tattoo re-wrapped? – Well, it truly depends on the kind of wrap used. If you use cling film (it doesn’t let the air in), then you’d definitely need to let it breathe often. In this case, you’d need to change the wrap every 4-6 hours or so.

For other wraps like sterile bandage, gauze, cheesecloth, and breathable tattoo films, then a once-daily change may be fine. Note, however, that for some brands of breathable tattoo protection films, manufacturers claim it’s okay to leave the film on for up to 4-5 days.

So, check the label for instructions. If unsure, speak with your tattooist.

How long do you leave the tattoo on after getting done?

Tattoo Aftercare Tips, How Should I Look After My New Tattoo? –

• Tattoo Aftercare Tips, How Should I Look After My New Tattoo? Practical and tested tattoo aftercare Instructions. Why do you need to do it, and how effective aftercare is done.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Anne (author) from Hobart, Tasmania ~ Australia. (The little bit broken off the bottom of AUS) on June 01, 2019: ALL COMMENTS WITH SELF PROMOTION LINKS WILL BE REMOVED Mark on April 02, 2019: So I got a tattoo on my foot & decided to read on the aftercare after I got my tattoo.

• pretty stupid of me;
• Anyways I have to go to work & i’m wearing dress shoes for 8 hours at a time;
• So I’m wondering what the maximum amount of hours I can have my tattoo wrapped? JR on March 22, 2019: I’ve been tattooing for years;

I never covered my tattoos. The best healing process is to wash your tattoo twice a day, morning and night or between if needed. Hustle butter is good for the healing process. Just do what’s best for you and always keep your tattoo clean. Holkska on January 13, 2019: MAN i really hate when i hear about “reputable” tattoo artists telling their clients to leave a tattoo wrapped/covered :'( I am in no means covered in tattoos, but i have just had my 16th and so i do have some limited experience.

• my 1st one (young and about 16 years ago) i was told to keep it covered – so i did, i didnt know any better, and it was a mess;
• A total mess;
• The lines bled out, ink was lost, it was truly awful, luckily it was relatively small;

But the point is, the artist is meant to be giving proper help and advice, a lot of people do not know what to do and thr artist is supposed to be trustworthy – and telling clients to leave a piece of work covered for a week (even a day is bad enough) is just bad form.

1. Really bad form;
2. They shouldnt be doing it (i wonder if some “artists” do this to ensure the person returns for a touch up;
3. If so thats even worse!!) So Thanks for this article, it will inform people of the caring and healing process, and avoid some ruined tattoos and unhappy people (which is awful, a tattoo is exciting!!) Libby on December 27, 2018: Got my 2nd tattoo recently from a different artist who said to keep it covered with cling film for the 2 weeks it’s healing, unlike my first artist;

Must say, thanks to this, I realised how bad his advice was and began letting the air get to it so it’s finally healing – altho there’s very small gaps from the confused healing process. Emiljano on December 05, 2018: Hi I have a question. 8 days ago I got a tattoo in Germany Berlin.

1. First look after getting done was exactly as I wanted it to look;
2. He wrapped it with a tattoo plastic wrap and said me to leave it on for 6-7 days;
3. After 6 days I removed it cozz it was very dry and itchy and a lot of ink and skin came out with the plastic papper;

It was like a copy of my tattoo in the plastic wrap. I did the process slowly and washing with warm water. But the tattoo looks nicht top as in the beginning when it was done. The tattoo is a cross with hands that pray and up is a writting in latin language Fide Nemini.

But the cross details look blurry the lines look a little fadded and I dont know if its normal or not becouse its my first tattoo. Do you think my tattoo artist had fake instruction given? I have read many tattoo artists instructions and there is nowhere said that the plastic wrapp must 6-7 days on skin stay.

Thanks for your answer! Sherry on June 23, 2017: My son just got his first tattoo all we need to know does he need to keep it wrapped up the next day? 6/23/17 Terri Marshall on April 16, 2017: I just had my first tattoo done on my back, I went to a very pronoun shop, very clean and professional.

1. They also put a air tight film over my tat and told me I could shower but leave the wrap on for seven days;
2. On the 7th day remove wrap and wash lightly and then several times a day put Palmers Coconut Butter on my tattoo;

I am now on my third day and I have no pain at all and tattoo looks good even though it still is wrapped with that air tight wrap. Hope all goes well and can’t wait till Friday when I can remove the air tight wrap. james on April 09, 2017: hey Raul I’m a nurse and I’m planning on getting my first tattoo next month.

• I’ve done a lot of research and I’m planning on using Saniderm on my healing tat;
• It’s the same type of tech that hospitals use to allow wounds to heal while being able to breath;
• I’ve used dressing like this on prior patients and it just makes scene to me to use it on healing tattoos;

The only negative thing I’ve read if you are sensitive/ allergic to adhesive it shouldn’t be used Raul on April 01, 2017: My Tatto guy did a Tat on my leg. He put a medical plastic wrap on it. Its air tight. He informed me too leave it on for 5 days and it will heal itself.

• Im a lil sceptical;
• Is this something new or a bad idea? Fellow on January 28, 2017: Hey gal, nice post! I’m probably quite late to the party,but the info was still nice;
• Just one little thing, tho, you said wrapping protects from “bacteria and other antibodies”, while I think you meant pathogens;

Antibodies are what we make to fight off diseases, aren’t they? Anyways, thanks and cya!.