The average person who has followed their aftercare instructions can start sleeping on their tattoo between 4 to 7 days after getting it.
Sleep on a clean surface
To reduce the risk of infection, be sure to sleep on clean sheets or a freshly laundered pillowcase. Avoid sleeping directly on the tattoo, as the friction from the sheets can disrupt the healing process.
Second Skin protects your skin from friction and provides a waterproof, protective barrier that prevents contamination. This barrier also allows you to do anything you need while your tattoo is healing, from work to sleeping without a mess on your bed sheets. Your artist may recommend you wear this from 1-5 days.
if you intend to rewrap your tattoo yourself. Drink a glass of water and get a good night's sleep. When you wake up in the morning, immediately remove your wrap, as they should not stay on for more than eight hours. Wash and dry the area thoroughly, and leave it unwrapped for the remainder of the day.
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.
If you can, you should try to avoid sleeping directly on the tattoo. 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.
Leaving any bacteria around the wound will allow them to breed and multiply for hours while you're sleeping (in a warm, cozy environment, which they love). You should also closely follow the advice of your tattoo artist when it comes to your initial tattoo wrap.
If your artist sent you home with adhesive wrap, you can leave that on the tattoo overnight and it should protect both the ink of your new tattoo and your bed sheets. Relieving extra worry about getting residue or ointment on your sheets makes for a better night's sleep…and that is the ultimate goal!
You should change the cling film, clean the tattoo and replace it with fresh cling film at least three times throughout the day and before going to bed.
After a week, the redness and swelling should have subsided. At this point, the skin should begin to scab and flake. The itchiness may persist, but the tattoo should gradually appear more vibrant as it continues to heal.
The body's natural response to pain is to release endorphins, which can provide temporary pain relief. However, endorphins can also cause feelings of tiredness and drowsiness, which can make you feel even more fatigued after the tattoo process.
In conclusion, you can shower after getting a tattoo, but don't submerge the tattoo in water for any prolonged period of time. Follow the instructions your tattoo artist gives you, and if you're bandaged with Saniderm, you can keep the covering on your tattoo while you shower because it is waterproof.
Yes, you should wrap your tattoo before bed, but only if recommended by your tattoo artist, as they know best for your own personal situation. If you wear your wrap for bed, combine this with a sleeping position that doesn't put pressure on the tattooed area.
You can leave SecondSkin™ on for up to seven days. We do recommend changing the bandage around the 24-36 hour mark.
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.
***IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have pets, take extra precaution not to let them lick or rub against your new tattoo, as it's technically an open wound. Pet dander and hair in large quantities should not come in contact with your tattoo.
Once you've removed the wrapping on your fresh tattoo, keep it off! It's time to let the healing process begin and let your tattoo breathe. If you rewrap it, you'll be trapping in moisture, which leads to bacteria growth, which leads to infection.
Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo, but there are a few things to remember. "Use lukewarm water and do not directly soak the tattoo for too long," Smith notes. "You should also avoid scrubbing your tattoo or using harsh soaps as that can irritate healing skin."
Tattoo flu explained
So while you might be super chill mentally, your immune system might charge in like there's a four alarm fire. When the needle hits your skin, your pain receptors go into overdrive, giving you a nice jolt of adrenaline which then makes your ticker beat a bit faster.
Until the surface of the tattoo is healed (at a minimum of two to three weeks), wash the area gently 2-3 times per day. After cleaning the tattoo during this two to three week period, gently apply a thin coat of a lotion-based care product. We recommend After Inked tattoo moisturizer and aftercare lotion.
So what product should you use? You may have heard some rumours that Bepanthen shouldn't be used on new tattoos, but this absolutely isn't the case. Bepanthen is by far one of the most highly recommended tattoo aftercare products and is the go-to ointment for most tattoo artists and studios.
Don't: Consume Alcohol, Coffee, and Energy Drinks
A rough night before will also leave alcohol in your system, so be aware of how much you consume. Like alcohol, caffeine intake and energy drinks also thin out your blood. So, skip that morning cup of coffee the day you get your tattoo.
What NOT to do? 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).