Yes, you can get a new tattoo wet in the shower for gentle cleaning, but NEVER submerge it in baths, pools, hot tubs, or open water for 2-4 weeks, as it's an open wound vulnerable to bacteria, infection, and damage. Keep showers short, use lukewarm water, avoid direct pressure, pat dry gently with a clean towel, and let it air dry before moisturizing with unscented lotion.
You can usually shower after a new tattoo, but wait at least 24 hours if it's wrapped in a regular bandage, or shower immediately if it has a special waterproof bandage (like Saniderm), following your artist's specific instructions for both types of coverings. When showering, use lukewarm water, mild unscented soap, keep it short, avoid direct pressure, gently pat dry with a clean towel, and don't soak it.
Do not take a bath and fully submerge your tattoo for 3-4 weeks after getting a tattoo. The larger the tattoo, the longer we recommend you wait to fully submerge your tattoo in water. You should never submerge a new tattoo in water for any length of time directly following a tattoo.
Getting your new tattoo too wet can prevent it from healing properly, and it might end up looking patchy. It's super important to keep your new tattoo clean. So having a shower is the best choice so you can wash your tattoo but not fully submerge it in water. A gentle cleanser is best but don't scrub the skin too hard.
``You should wait for your tattoo to fully heal -- which can take at least 2 to 4 weeks -- before swimming in any kind of water,'' says Adrienne Santos, a writer for Healthline.
Completely cover your tattoo with a waterproof dressing (products like Saniderm are available in various sizes). Limit the amount of time your tattoo is submerged. Remove any covering, rinse your tattoo with fresh water immediately after swimming, and gently pat it dry.
After getting a tattoo, avoid picking or scratching it, submersion in water, tight clothing, and exposure to direct sunlight. Avoid harsh products, including scented soaps, petroleum jelly, and medicated ointments, unless your artist or dermatologist recommends them.
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Initially, leave your bandage on for 1-3 hours. After removing the bandage in a clean environment, gently wash the tattooed area with warm water and an antibacterial soap. Do not scrub. Pat dry with a clean, disposable paper towel.
DON'T re-bandage your tattoo, rub, scratch or pick at your new tattoo. DON'T apply alcohol, Neosporin, Vaseline, or petroleum jelly (they can trap dirt and germs and cause infection). DON'T apply a heavy coat of lotion (remember the skin must breathe in order to heal).
It's recommended you wait at least 24 hours before showering after getting a new tattoo. This allows the tattooed area to begin the healing process and reduces the risk of infection. Showering too soon after getting a tattoo may expose the open wound to bacteria and increase the chances of complications.
Is it OK to wear clothes over a new tattoo? Yes, but try not to after the few initial days after application. If you do, make sure you change your clothes frequently. In our experience, tattoos can weep onto the clothes and if you don't change them, it can cause infection.
Showering With a New Tattoo: Precautions
Use lukewarm water and mild, scent-free soap to avoid irritating the sensitive skin. Remember to pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel gently; avoid rubbing it. After showering, apply a thin layer of scent-free, alcohol-free moisturizer to keep the tattoo hydrated.
Why is my new tattoo fading after just a few days? It's not unusual for your new tattoo to appear to fade shortly after application. During the healing phase, the top layer of skin may dry out and flake, causing the tattoo to look dull or less vibrant. This is a normal reaction as your skin begins to heal.
Steam and hot water can potentially cause the color to fade prematurely. Avoid getting shower gel/cleanser and water on the area as much as possible.
If your tattoo gets wet, pat it dry with a clean, non-fluffy towel. One splash won't ruin your artwork, but watch the area for redness, swelling, or unusual warmth. Clean the area with an anti-bacterial tattoo wash according to your artist's instructions.
Keeping your tattooed skin hydrated is the best thing you can do to keep its vibrancy. After you thoroughly cleanse the area, it's time to moisturize with a moisturizer formulated for tattooed skin. Moisturizing with lotion helps nourish the ink and prevent dryness and premature fading.
It is best to leave the tattoo open to the air because the constant friction of a bandage may cause healing problems. Only bandage if necessary! - DO NOT use Vaseline, A+D ointment, Neosporin or petroleum jelly. - DO NOT use alcohol or peroxide.
No, $200 an hour is generally not considered a lot for a professional, experienced tattoo artist in 2025-2026, often falling into the standard or even lower-mid range, especially in major cities or for specialized styles like realism or fine-line work, though rates vary significantly by location, artist demand, and expertise. While some talented artists charge around $100-$150/hour, high-demand or highly specialized artists can easily charge $250-$300+ per hour.
Stage One (Days 1-6) – Oozing, swelling and redness that gets better gradually over each day. Scabbing begins to form over the area. 2. Stage Two (Days 7-14) – Itching and flaking begins, and this continues until layers of dead skin and scabs have fallen off.
After getting a tattoo, avoid scratching, picking scabs, submerging it in water (baths, pools, hot tubs), prolonged sun exposure, tight clothing, and using harsh/fragranced soaps or heavy petroleum jelly; instead, keep it clean with unscented soap, moisturize lightly with artist-recommended lotion, and let it heal naturally to prevent infection and fading. Always follow your tattoo artist's specific aftercare instructions for best results.
Yes, a $50 tip on a $300 tattoo is a good tip, falling slightly below the standard 20% ($60) but representing a solid 16.7%, showing appreciation, especially if you had a good experience; however, tipping $60-$75 (20-25%) is generally considered excellent for great service, so $50 is a respectable amount.
Here's a handful of bad habits that are top of the list of things tattoo artists hate.