Yes, cling wrap (plastic wrap) is okay for short-term protection on a new tattoo, typically for the first few hours after getting it to shield it from bacteria, but it should be removed, the tattoo washed, and then left to breathe or covered with breathable material, as it traps moisture and heat, creating a risk for infection and slowed healing if left on too long. Modern alternatives like "second skin" (breathable film bandages) are often preferred for longer periods (days) as they protect while allowing air.
Aftercare for the first 1-3 days
Since you need to keep your tattoo covered, cling film is going to be your new mate, so go ahead and stock up on it. Keeping your tattoo clean and adequately washed is crucial within these first three days as well.
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.)
If your tattoo artist has covered your new tattoo with cling wrap, it is best to leave this on for at least 1 hour, but no longer than 4 hours. Once you remove the wrap, gently wipe it down with a clean wet paper towel or wash it in the shower with a mild antibacterial soap.
For optimal healing, your tattoo should be initially wrapped for protection, but after a few days, exposing it to air can promote healing. Follow your artist's guidance on when to switch to an open air method while ensuring the area remains clean.
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.
You may notice one or more of the following:
Should I cover a new tattoo when I sleep? Keeping your new tattoo covered for at least the first night or two will help reduce the risk of it leaking onto your bedding and lower the risk of infection.
Since oxygen itself plays a huge role in allowing the skin to heal properly, covering a new tattoo in plastic wrap or smothering it in petroleum-based products that limit oxygen supply can further complicate the healing process.
You have a rash or bumpy skin around your tattoo
If you notice a rash or lumpy, bumpy skin around your new tattoo, this could be something to worry about. Any itching that seems extreme, or rashes and cracked skin, could indicate infection.
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.
Healing Time & Aftercare
Areas that move a lot (like wrists and fingers) or rub against clothing (like the ribs or hips) may take longer to heal. Easier to Heal: Upper arm, forearm, calf, upper back. Trickier to Heal: Feet (shoes rub), hands (constant washing), ribs (clothing friction).
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.
You'll want to keep the tattoo wrapped for at least the first night because it will take a while for it to settle down and stop leaking. You don't want an open wound like that touching your bed sheets, getting blood everywhere, or dirt and dust getting into the wound itself.
The most commonly used neutralizing color is a deep orange to cancel out the blue and blue-green shades of common tattoo inks. For tattoos with dark black ink, you should use a deep red neutralizer.
Common skin reactions include: Localized inflammation: Temporary redness, swelling, and tenderness after tattooing.
Over-moisturizing your tattoo can cause the ink color to fade. It can also cause the ink to spread, making the tattoo appear more blurred. These changes can make your tattoo look less vibrant and more sloppy. After you get a tattoo, your tattoo artist will likely provide you with clear aftercare instructions.
Leave the cling film on for 2 to 3 hours after getting your tattoo. This initial period helps protect the new ink from bacteria and environmental contaminants. Once you remove the initial cling film, avoid re-wrapping your tattoo unless necessary.
Keep your tattoo wrapped in the cling film for up to 3 hours. Unwrap the cling film and wash your tattoo with warm water using a gentle soap. When clean pat dry with a clean towel or kitchen roll.
Most tattoo peeling will start within a couple of days of getting inked. But don't worry—the ink is deep in your skin, beyond the epidermis and into the dermis (middle layer). ² So, you can rest easy knowing that peeling doesn't mean you're losing ink or that your new tattoo is going to end up looking faded.
Timing is everything when it comes to tattoo aftercare, and sometimes it's easy to get it wrong. If you remove the bandage too early, your tattoo might still be in the oozing phase, exposing it to bacteria and dirt that can cause infections.