It's a good idea to keep a roll of cling film specifically for this job, you don't want to be using tattoo wrap for food or vice versa! 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.
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.
A healing tattoo needs lots of fresh air and oxygen, so try not to smother it while sleeping. You may also want to elevate the tattooed area, if possible. This will help in the healing process and lessen the amount of drainage and swelling you may experience.
Keeping your fresh tattoo covered too long
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.
Do not overmedicate – tattoos should be moist, not coated in medication. On the first night, you may want to wrap your tattoo to prevent sticking to your bedding. It is helpful to tape a loose non-fabric bandage or paper towel over your freshly medicated tattoo for the first 3 days.
In most cases, you are fine to remove your wrapping after a few hours as long as you are comfortable washing your tattoo with warm soapy water. However, it is not unusual for a tattoo artist to recommend keeping your tattoo wrapped for the first night.
“If it's left on for long periods, it will get infected. I recommend changing the cling film four times a day – breakfast, lunch, dinner and before you go to bed.” But you must wash the tattoo each time, using warm water and a mild soap – our aftercare foam wash is gentle for this purpose.
Remove the cling film after 2/3 hours, wash the tattooed area gently, pat dry, and apply the designated tattoo cream thinly over the tattoo, following the instructions on the cream tube.
You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.
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.
Pressure can cause irritation and disrupt the healing process. Instead, try sleeping on your back or on the side opposite the tattoo!
According to tattoo artists and skincare experts, you should moisturize a new tattoo three times a day. While this might seem excessive, it's important to remember that your skin is still healing and will be very tender from the process. Moisturize the area: - First thing in the morning.
You should wrap your tattoo in cling film, even while sleeping for the first couple of nights. This helps keep the germs out and helps with keeping fabric off of the tattoo to reduce rubbing/chafing.
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.
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.
Plastic wrap, or cling film, is a commonly used material for tattoo wrapping. It's often preferred for its transparency, allowing for easy monitoring of the tattoo without unwrapping, and it is efficient at keeping out bacteria.
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.
The wrapping around the tattoo serves as protection as it heals, especially since the tattoo artist uses needles to apply it on your body, resulting in what feels like a fresh wound. The most common wrap tattoo artists use is Saran wraps.
Cling wrap or plastic wrap helps to create a barrier between your skin and the outside world, which helps to reduce the risk of infection. Another reason why tattoo shops use cling wrap or plastic wrap is to keep the area clean.
Keep your tattoo wrapped in the cling film for up to 3 hours. Unwrap the cling film & wash your tattoo with warm water using a gentle soap. When clean pat dry with a clean towel or kitchen roll. Your tattoo will be a little bit sore after the first wash and redness/swelling is normal.
The second skin stays on for a total of 4-5. days (with one change in between) rather than cling. film, which has to be changed 2-3 times a day for two. weeks!
Wear sunscreen: Sunblock is the number one form of protection for your tattoo. Applying sunblock will help prevent skin cancer, wrinkles, blotchy complexions, and other skin-caused damage.