When Can I Wear Clothes Over My Tattoo?
So, What Kind Of Clothes Should I Wear Over a New Tattoo? – After getting a tattoo, and during the healing process, which can last between 2 weeks and a month in its initial and most important stage, you should be wearing loose-fitting clothes. That is of course if the tattoo is placed on your body apart from the neck, head, and feet.
For those areas, you need to pay special attention, especially in the case of feet tattoo (the issues of wearing socks and shoes). Loose clothes will cover the tattoo so much so that it stays protected. There is a lower chance the fabric will stick to the tattoo and introduce contaminants as well.
There will be minimal or rubbing of the fabrics against the tattoo, which will significantly minimize healing issues or the chance of an infection. Note: After getting a new tattoo, it will be wrapped and well protected. You can wear loose clothes over the wrap and not really worry about it.
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When can I cover my tattoo with clothes?
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.
How do I protect my new tattoo from clothes?
Cover it up – The artist should apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment over the tattoo and then cover the area in a bandage or plastic wrap. This covering prevents bacteria from getting into your skin. It also protects the tattoo from rubbing onto your clothes and getting irritated.
Can I wear a hoodie after getting a tattoo?
Hoodies and sweatshirts – Are you looking for something that will let your tattoo heal during the cold season? Sweatshirts and hoodies are your best bets during such a season. There are different designs depending on the look you want to rock. You can choose from a classy, traditional, or contemporary look. 
Dean Vicious Hooded Sweatshirt The choice of design will depend on the placement of a tattoo. For instance, a neck tattoo can go well with a sweatshirt. You might need to roll up your sleeve on your hoodie when you want to display a tattoo on your wrist. You can pair your hoodies and sweatshirts with jeans, pants, or even shorts.
Can my new tattoo touch my sheets?
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.
How long after a tattoo can you shower?
How Soon After a Tattoo Can I Shower? – Your first shower after a new tattoo can be the day after you got the tattoo. That could be between 12 and 48 hours. Sometimes, the tattoo becomes messy after a night of oozing blood and ink. In order for the tattoo to start healing properly, you need to give it a light wash with antibacterial soap and lukewarm water.
- After 48 hours, your tattoo should be good for water exposure, but only once or twice a day;
- During the first week, it is essential not to expose the tattoo to the water for longer periods;
- This will prevent the tattoo from drying and forming a new skin layer;
In such a case, your tattoo could get infected. Note : we also recommend you avoid sweat-inducing activities, like working out, jogging, etc. Sweat carries bacteria that can infect the tattoo. Furthermore, sweating prevents the tattoo from drying out, which could also lead to an infection.
Can I cover my tattoo with at shirt?
Keep in mind that cover up sleeves probably look less professional than a long-sleeved shirt or blazer. While your tattoo (or parts of it) is fresh, it’s better to use a loose, long sleeved shirt to cover it. Cover-up sleeves are tight and restrict airflow to the healing tattoo.
How often should I wash my tattoo?
Once you leave the shop, the artist is no longer responsible for the tattoo. Informed aftercare starts from the minute you leave the shop, and this involves washing the area diligently. Treating your new tattoo with appropriate attention and responsibility can make the difference between a well-healed, crisp, long-lasting piece of art and an uneven, distorted shadow of the tattoo you envisioned. Here’s how often you should wash your new tattoo:
- For the first time, within 5–24 hours of getting it
- At least daily until it’s completely healed – ideally twice-daily
- Each time your tattoo becomes contaminated with dirt or bacteria
Which part of tattooing hurts the most?
How can I make my tattoo heal faster?
Why does getting a tattoo make me sleepy?
Your Skin Will Totally Heal – After a few weeks, that ink will be safe and secure in your dermis, it will be done peeling, and you’ll be left with a gorgeous and smooth tattoo! Want more fashion and beauty tips? Check out the video below and subscribe to Bustle on YouTube! Images: Drew Hays , Annie Spratt , Misty Pittman , Med Badr Chemmaoui, Annie Spratt /Unsplash; Pattaya Unlimited , mytat_2s , Shannon Archuleta /Flickr.
What happens if you wear tight clothes after a tattoo?
Clothes Maketh the Tattoo – How exactly does your choice of clothes affect the look of your tattoo? Tight clothes tend to be restrictive on your body and don’t allow your skin to breathe as much as necessary. When coupled with the fact that clothes also rub against your skin, it can spell trouble for your tattoo.
Your tattoo is a beautiful wound that’s healing around the artwork. When you use tight clothes after getting a tattoo, you’re constricting this wound and damaging your skin cells. Particularly be aware of wearing tight clothes when you’re active and sleeping.
While wickable fabric can draw moisture away from the tattoo, some of it will still be trapped and lock moisture into the skin. Although moisturizing the tattoo is important, avoid trapping moisture in the skin. When sleeping, you move around more than you think.
Can I scratch my tattoo through my shirt?
Overview If you’re itching to scratch at your tattoo, you’re certainly not alone. A tattoo is most susceptible to itchiness when it’s fresh, but this can occur at any stage of the healing process. When you get a new tattoo, the skin is damaged with needles and ink, which can cause itchiness at some point.
- Still, no matter what the cause, you should never scratch at your tattoo — especially if it’s new ink that’s still healing;
- This can lead to serious damage to the tattoo, as well as the surrounding skin;
Read on to learn more about the multiple causes of itchy tattoos and what you can do to treat them without giving in to the urge to scratch.
