How Long Should You Keep The Wrap On A Tattoo?

How Long Should You Keep The Wrap On A Tattoo

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.

When can I remove my tattoo wrap?

Method 1: Ointment – Remove the bandage after 3-12 hours. For example, if you get tattooed early in the day, leave the bandage on until the evening, but if you get tattooed at night and go to bed soon after, it’s ok to leave the initial bandage on until the morning.

Either way, don’t remove the bandage until you can properly clean the tattoo with mild soap and warm water. Rinse it well, gently rubbing off the slimy coating that may have formed over the tattooed area while underneath the bandage.

Gently pat it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel, then allow it to air dry for 15 minutes before applying ointment. Apply a tattoo healing product like Vitalitree to the tattoo as needed, massaging a very small amount into the skin to keep the tattoo slightly moisturized, but NOT smothered.

Use just enough ointment to give the tattoo a barely noticeable, slight shine, and blot off any excess. For the first day or two, your tattoo may require more cleaning or blotting, as the traumatized skin may still be seeping a small amount of plasma.

The proper minimal amount of ointment, along with daily cleaning, will prevent this small amount of plasma from forming into a thicker scab that could pull out color or cause cracking. The healing tattoo should never stay submerged in water. Therefore, limit yourself to only short showers until the tattoo has finished peeling.

  • It’s also important that a fresh tattoo be protected from the sun and dirty environments (gyms, pet dander or saliva, etc;
  • ) with clothing or by simply avoiding certain activities, as it’s still an open wound for 3-5 days until the skin has peeled;

All normal activities involving water, sun exposure, or dirty environments can usually be resumed after one week. Only apply ointment for as long as it takes for your tattoo to peel, usually 3-5 days. When the peeling begins, the outermost layer of tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn.

Should I keep my tattoo wrapped for 5 days?

⏳ How long should I keep my tattoo covered with cling film? – After you leave the salon or your tattoo artist, you need to keep the tattoo wrapped for 2-4 hours if you use simple cling wrap (plastic foil). If you have a protective tattoo film, then keep it for 3-5 days.

What happens if you take the wrap off your tattoo too early?

Fresh tattoos can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to heal. During this healing phase, there are 7 things that can ruin your new tattoo before it has even healed. Bad art from a bad artist It’s possible to ruin your new tattoo by choosing an unskilled artist.

When speaking about skills, I’m not referring to their artistic skills. This would be about the artists’ tattooing procedure and application skills. Everyone’s skin is different skin. Healthy, unhealthy, plump, loose, tight, oily, or dry.

Our skin’s surface, thickness, and tightness are also different throughout our bodies. These differences can have a detrimental impact on how the ink lays into your skin. An inexperienced artist can further implicate this. Finding and choosing an experienced artist goes without question 2.

  • Keeping your fresh tattoo covered too long Fresh tattoos are open wounds, and after the tattoo session, the artist will cover your new tattoo;
  • Every artist has a different preference for what they use;
  • Some still use the old school plastic Saran Wrap crap made for sandwiches;

Try to avoid using this food cellophane wrap on new ink. Fresh tattoos should be wrapped with a sterile bandage. The best options are medical-grade adhesive bandages and protective tattoo films like Saniderm or Dermalize. Wrapping a fresh tattoo is essential to help the initial healing while providing protection from environmental contaminants like dirt, germs or anything else that should not go near an open wound.

  • After the wrap has been on for a few hours, you will start to see blood and plasma underneath;
  • Once this happens, it’s time to remove the wrap, as this can block your skin pores from breathing;
  • This can ruin your new tattoo before the first day is over;

And trust me, I’ve ruined two tattoos by leaving the wrap on too long as per the artist’s instructions. The bandage or wrap should stay on no longer than 6-8 hours max. If using products like Saniderm or Dermalize, you can always remove it, clean the tattoo and apply a new layer.

  • Tattoo Infections As discussed above, the post-procedure wrapping helps protect your skin from getting infected;
  • Once unwrapped, keep your skin clean and follow proper tattoo aftercare instructions;
  • This will ensure your new tattoo heals without getting infected;

During tattoo healing, avoid touching your ink unless washing or applying aftercare. It’s very easy to transfer dirt and germs onto your fresh tattoo (open wound) from dirty hands. Sleeping with a fresh tattoo Getting a goods night’s sleep can be awkward during the tattoo healing process.

  1. Even more awkward is the size and location of your new tattoo;
  2. Try to avoid laying on the tattoo, and or having it covered under the sheets or blankets;
  3. Covering a fresh tattoo under blankets or sheets can cause a risk of infection;

The bed is a great place for hidden germs that you do not want to get into an open wound. The same as above, your skin needs to breathe, so not covering up under the sheets helps. Then there’s the issue of laying on the tattoo. You risk having the tattoo stick to the bed or pick up dirt and germs.

  1. You can always lay down a clean towel on the bed if you need to;
  2. Another option for sleeping is applying a breathable medical wrap like Saniderm;
  3. Make sure to remove it as soon as you wake up so that there’s not too much blood and plasma accumulation;
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Cleaning and excess water exposure Keeping a fresh tattoo clean goes without question. So never submerge a fresh tattoo underwater. Also, avoid excessive water exposure while showering. Our skin is like a sponge and it will absorb the water, which can damage the tattoo.

  1. When it comes to cleaning your new tattoo, make sure you do this several times a day;
  2. You can read our 17 Best Tips To Heal New Tattoos here;
  3. Picking or scratching itchy or peeling skin During the tattoo healing stages, some people experience itchy and scabby skin;

The reason for this to happen is part of your skin’s healing process. But whatever you do, resist the urge to pick or peel your skin as this can damage the color and lines of your new tattoo. To avoid or end any itchy peeling skin during tattoo healing, always use a good aftercare product.

  1. Keep your tattoo clean and moisturized several times throughout the day;
  2. Don’t let your tattoo get dry, and only apply a thin layer of tattoo aftercare after every cleaning;
  3. Now, in regards to peeling and itchy skin, I have never suffered from this;

I followed the above directions and none of my 21 tattoos have ever peeled or got itchy. Excessive sun exposure Excessive sun exposure is a fast way to ruin a new tattoo. Be aware of any direct sun exposure on your fresh ink. If you must be outside, always keep your tattoo covered, for at least the first 40 days.

  • Cover Up with clothing or try to stay out of the sun;
  • Never apply any sunscreen on a fresh tattoo;
  • Some of these products have ingredients that are not good for your fresh ink during healing;
  • A list of nasty skincare ingredients will be for another blog;

After your new tattoo has healed, make sure to keep it protected with quality sunscreen product if going outside. Excessive direct UVA/UVB sun exposure  accelerates skin aging, which causes tattoo fading.

Should I let my tattoo breathe?

Your tattoo needs to breathe, so once you remove the original bandage — usually it’ll be bandaged in clear plastic or surgical wrap by the artist — it’s best not to cover it. Wrapping it may result in extra moisture and a lack of oxygen, which can cause scabbing and slow healing.

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.

What should you avoid after getting a tattoo?

How do you sleep with a fresh tattoo?

Can you sleep on a new tattoo? – In an ideal world, you would be able to sleep and not have to worry about the tattoo. Actually, tattoos are effectively open wounds. This means that you need to take some precautions. Going days without sleep isn’t an option.

  1. People have different techniques;
  2. If you can, you should try to avoid sleeping directly on the tattoo;
  3. For instance, if you have a tattoo on your back, try to sleep on your front and let the tattoo breathe;

A lot of tattoo artists recommend sleeping with the wrap that was put on. Others recommend re-wrapping, or just applying healing ointment and keeping the tattoo clean. The important thing is avoiding infection.

Do and don’ts after tattoo?

How often do 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.

How can I speed up my tattoo healing?

What happens if I take Saniderm off a day early?

Saniderm Aftercare ​ To purchase Saniderm and Sanibalm please visit  Saniderm. com and use the code rosenoir  at checkout for a 10% discount!  ​ Day 1: So you got a new tattoo? It’s probably on fire- use ice packs or ibuprofen to reduce the stinging. Your first piece of Saniderm applied by the artist must be worn for 24 hours, do not remove it early.

You will have irritation, redness, bleeding, seeping, and ink collect under the bandage. You will notice plasma (looks like clear watery liquid), ink, and blood trapped in the bandage, and it may leak out of the Saniderm.

This is NORMAL and part of the healing process. Don’t freak out over this. Day 2: Remove 1st bandage after 24 hours- peel off slowly (this will likely be uncomfortable). Wash thoroughly with plain anti-bacterial hand soap – no exfoliating beads, no oils, no scents.

(You may consider removing your Saniderm under luke warm or cool soapy water in the shower to loosen the adhesive. ) Pat dry with a paper towel and let air dry for 2-5 minutes. Blot with paper towel. To apply 2nd Saniderm remove the paper backing first, apply sticky side to tattoo, then remove plastic backing (it’s ok if there are air bubbles/wrinkles).

Day 2-6: Leave on for 6 FULL DAYS – During the next 6 days you may still have some plasma, ink, or blood. (If you have an excessive amount of liquid collecting under your bandage and feel replacement is necessary please check out the web link https://www.

  1. rosenoirstudio;
  2. com/alternate-aftercare-instructions for replacements;
  3. ) You may notice the skin looks dry/peeling/crusty/”cracked”- this is normal;
  4. The bandage and area may smell a little bit, this is ok;
  5. DO NOT REMOVE BEFORE THE SIXTH DAY;
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Doing so will result in color loss and can require a touch up at an additional cost. It is harmful to the tattoo and to your health to leave a healing tattoo untreated. If your Saniderm peels up before the 6th day, carefully cut the excess off. If the tattoo is exposed place another small piece of Saniderm (or similar product) to cover it.

  1. (See drugstore products at QR code link;
  2. ) Day 6: Now it’s time to remove;
  3. Wash again and apply a thin layer of Sanibalm or lotion/moisturizer to your tattoo;
  4. Day 7 +: Use thin layers of Sanibalm/lotion/moisturizer for several days or weeks until skin is smooth again;

You will most likely experience peeling and itchiness. Your tattoo is fully healed when your skin is smooth and no longer shiny. This can take several weeks or several months. Everybody’s skin is different. Long term care: Keeping your skin moisturized will keep your tattoo looking fresh and bright. ​ While your Saniderm is on DO NOT: ​

  • DO NOT soak your new tattoo- no baths/swimming (running water/showering is ok). Soaking can lead to major infections.

  • DO NOT apply soap, lotions, oils, on or around the patch.

  • DO NOT expose you tattoo to direct sunlight, this will be painful and can damage the skin until it is healed over.

  • DO NOT allow shampoo/conditioner to run down the patch.

  • DO NOT sweat excessively- this can push ink out and weaken the adhesive- sweat will collect under the Saniderm and smell bad and clog your sweat glands resulting in bumpy skin, raised scarred tissue, color loss, and possible infection.

  • DO NOT move or stretch your tattooed skin excessively until it is fully healed (up to 14 days).

  • DO NOT allow pets or animals to come into contact with your healing tattoo (if contact occurs with exposed (uncovered) skin, wash immediately with antibacterial soap, then apply plain lotion).

  • DO NOT allow plants (such as when gardening) to come into contact with your healing tattoo (if contact occurs with exposed skin, wash immediately with antibacterial soap, then apply plain lotion).

  • Most importantly, do not listen to your friends who say you can’t have a tattoo wrapped that long. This product is much different from what they’ve used before. It is intended for long wear. This is not saran wrap.

Signs of Infection: Signs and symptoms of an infection include but are not limited to, redness, swelling, tenderness of the procedure site, red streaks going from the procedure site to towards the heart, elevated body temperature, or pus-filled drainage from the procedure site. Seek medical care if you have a fever, extreme pain 3 or more days after the tattoo procedure, spreading rash well outside of the tattooed area, worsening and spreading redness around the tattoo, blisters on the tattoo, red streaking around tattoo, or foul odor and pus drainage.

  1. I highly recommend Sanibalm or Sanibalm+ from the makers of Saniderm;
  2. Always wear sunscreen, tanning and sun fading will make a tattoo look dull and will diminish the pigments;
  3. How it works: After a tattoo your skin is left damaged so your body begins working immediately to heal itself by sending liquid enzymes and plasma to your skin’s surface;

These dry out and become scabs. With a tattoo, it is vital to avoid scabs. The healing patches allow the enzymes and plasma to stay moist and therefore heal your skin without drying out. The patches are breathable so your skin is not suffocated. Saniderm also keeps your new tattoo clean and safe from outside bacteria, dirt, lint from clothing, etc.

which will help prevent infection. Furthermore, the patches help to protect your clothing and bedding from ink and blood that seeps out during the first several days. Long term care: Keeping your skin moisturized will keep your tattoo looking shiny and bright.

Always wear sunscreen, tanning and sun fading will make a tattoo look dull and will diminish the pigments. Frequently asked questions: Q: What do I do if my skin looks irritated around the edges of the Saniderm? A: Irritation can occur for several reasons such as:

  • Saniderm has been applied too tight
  • There is excessive movement of the skin around the Saniderm
  • The area wasn’t washed clean of the adhesive from the previous Saniderm piece
  • Too much sweat.

Irritation can look like:

  • Bumps, hives, clogged pores/pimples  •   Blisters  •    Redness  •    Itchiness

When this happens, gently clean the area with antibacterial soap. Then use some rubbing alcohol on a paper towel to wipe the area. Apply some light moisturizer and give the skin a few days to heal. Q: What do I do if I take my Saniderm off early? A: If for any reason you remove your Saniderm early, it is extremely important to take necessary steps to prevent infections and to ensure your tattoo heals properly. ​ Q: Why is my tattoo oozing liquids after the first day? A: This can be caused by several factors:

  • Some people bleed and/or excrete plasma more than others during the healing process.
  • Too much movement and stretching of the skin.
  • The area was not cleaned well enough before application.

If there is excessive liquid, your Saniderm should be replaced again. ​ HELP! My Saniderm was removed early- Alternate Instructions for Early Removal: If you have removed your Saniderm wrap early or it has peeled up on its own, exposing your tattoo and you do not have enough Saniderm for a replacement, you have two options to ensure your tattoo heals properly and vibrantly.

  • Scroll down for further instructions;
  • Early means before a total of 7 days wrapped, 6 days for second set;
  • ​ OPTION 1 (best and easiest option): Go to your local Walgreens/CVS and purchase Tegaderm (usually near the bandaids);

Do not purchase anti-bacterial bandages, they look similar. See photos below for different product packaging, and look for similar products. Apply and wear the Tegaderm for the remainder of the week. Make sure to apply it to your freshly cleansed tattoo, lease use antibacterial soap.

Follow all instructions provided on your aftercare sheet (listed above). ​ OPTION 2: You must keep your tattoo clean and prevent it from drying out and scabbing. To do this, wash your tattoo thoroughly with antibacterial soap 3 times a day.

Immediately following use Sanibalm or plain lotion to moisturize (plain lotion should be unscented, free of oils, perfumes, butters, etc. Apply a thin layer and rub into skin well, do not leave excess lotion on skin. Try Aveeno, Cetaphil or Lubriderm. I do not recommend petroleum based products like Aquaphor.

It is vital to wash a full 3 times daily until your tattoo is fully healed. Washing removes infection causing bacteria. Moisturizing is important to prevent think scabs from forming. Scabs will pull out ink and dull or eliminate color.

You will have peeling for several days, this is normal. Your tattoo is fully healed once your skin has peeled completely and is smooth again which may take several weeks..

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Can I take Saniderm off after 3 days?

SANIDERM Leave your Saniderm on for four full days after getting your tattoo. It is waterproof, so go ahead and shower as usual – however, please don’t tempt fate with a bath or soaking. Its normal for your saniderm to fill with plasma, ink and blood. It typically creates a dark brown liquid that sits on your tattoo under the plastic.

Leave it Alone. After a couple of days, the liquid will start to harden up under the saniderm. If you experience redness around the saniderm that lasts longer than a couple of days, you may be having a slight reaction to the adhesive on the bandage.

You can always remove the saniderm if you feel like you’re having a reaction – You know your body best. But, if something feels wrong, please reach out to your artist directly with a photo of the area you’re concerned about as this may save you un-necessary trauma to the area, caused by removing the bandage too soon.

If for some reason the liquid leaks out the bottom of the Saniderm, the saniderm rolls up exposing the tattoo, or there is a puncture made in the plastic, you need to remove the saniderm or re-apply the saniderm.

* You cannot leave saniderm on your tattoo, if it is leaking. If bacteria can get out of your bandage, it can get in – leaving you susceptible to infection. You cannot Tape saniderm back on, this is not a sanitary way to re-attach your saniderm. You cannot re-apply saniderm if it has been over two days since your tattoo session, at this point in the healing, re-applying new saniderm can cause more harm than good.

  • If you would rather not re-bandage the tattoo or its been over two days since your tattoo was done , please remove the saniderm immediately and care for your tattoo using the directions provided below;

If you would like to Re-apply saniderm to your tattoo and it hasn’t been over two days since your tattoo was done, please follow these instructions: Wash your hands and remove the original saniderm slowly, THOROU GHLY CLEAN THE TATTOO WITH ANTIBACTERIAL, FRAGRANCE FREE SOAP.

  • (This step is crucial as any bacteria left on the tattoo will be trapped underneath the new application of saniderm, possibly causing infection;
  • ) Then, let the tattoo air dry – do not touch any towels to the area;

Once area is completely dry and your hands are also clean and dry, re apply the saniderm with at least an inch border on every side of the tattoo. You can purchase replacement saniderm on Amazon Prime, or buy it at target or Walmart. Sometimes its called Teccaderm – however its the same product.

Please only re-apply the saniderm if you can follow the instructions perfectly. If you cannot follow these instructions perfectly, you should not replace the saniderm. Any fault in this process, can result in complications that I, nor any other tattoo artist, will not be liable for.

After four days, the best way to remove your saniderm is to slowly peel it off in the shower. It might be sore, so don’t panic if it’s tender. After the saniderm is removed, wash and moisturize your tattoo as usual using the directions below. REGULAR BANDAGES Leave the bandage on for one to four hours.

Remove the bandage, wash your hands – then gently wash the new tattoo with Dial Antibacterial Unscented hand soap and warm water. You will want to do this 3 times a day for about a week after getting the tattoo.

Stick to unscented until the tattoo is healed to avoid a nasty stinging sensation on your fresh tattoo. Carefully dry the tattoo with clean paper towels using a soft dabbing motion, or let it air dry. For Larger Tattoos: Massage a very thin, almost translucent layer of Aquaphor, Hustle Butter, or Coconut Oil on the tattoo.

  1. After three or four days, switch from the thicker ointments to a gentle unscented lotion of your choice, THIS STEP IS CRITICAL;
  2. Massage in thoroughly, this helps keep the itchy, “peely” healing process under control;

Make sure to dab off excess ointment after application, you don’t want your tattoo to be shiny. For Smaller Tattoos: No need for ointments of any kind, just use a gentle unscented lotion of your choice. Massage a thin layer into your tattoo thoroughly, apply 3-5 times a day.

  • This helps keeps the itchy, peely healing process under control;
  • Don’t freak out if your tattoo is red and/or irritated for a few days after your appointment, this is totally normal;
  • Don’t re-bandage your tattoo for any reason, we want it to breathe in the fresh air;

Do keep up the washing regiment at least once a day for 7-10 days after getting the tattoo. It helps speed up the healing process and relieve the itching. Don’t overdo the ointment , it can clog your pores and ultimately mess up your tattoo – try to keep the applications thin and down to 3-5 times a day.

This is the most common issue I see clients deal with. Don’t pick! Its normal for the tattoo to be itchy, but resist the scratching! If you pick or scratch a healing tattoo, you can pull out pigments and create scar tissue.

Don’t get into any hot tubs, swimming pools, baths or anything else that might submerge your tattoo underwater for long periods of time for two weeks. Avoid saunas and tanning beds for two weeks as well. Do call us with questions! Although usually helpful, don’t ask Google or your friends for advice regarding tattoo stuff.

If you have any questions or concerns about your new artwork, please don’t hesitate to call or stop by the shop – that’s what we’re here for! Remember, severe redness that spreads outward or in streaks, extreme swelling, and yellow or green puss can all be signs of an infection.

If you believe there is an infection, go see your doctor. However, stopping by the shop to have a trained artist look at your tattoo, may save you a trip..