If you have a fresh cut or even a fresh tattoo, your dog may be trying to heal you. While they don't have this knowledge consciously, their saliva contains a lot of bacteria fighting enzymes that can aid in healing even somewhat severe wounds. Take care to avoid letting this particular type of licking become excessive.
Don't let your pets rub or lick your fresh tattoo. If your pet comes in contact with your fresh tattoo then you should wash it off asap.
“You don't want to introduce any bacteria to the area, or any possible sun damage that could ruin the healing process.” Along those lines, you'll also want to avoid direct contact with pets: “Pet fur, dander, and saliva can cause infections to fresh tattoos,” Ilett says.
And remember to KEEP ALL PETS AWAY from a new tattoo. If you have or are around pets, it's important to keep them away from a fresh tattoo for 7-10 days. Even places where dander and hair remain can be dangerous places to rest an unhealed tattoo.
Dogs can smell things called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are often given off by people who have cancer. They can detect high blood sugar, unusual compounds in the skin (such as with tattoos), and bacteria in the blood that could cause infection.
HP cartridges and inks generally have a low level of oral toxicity. Ingestion of cartridge components and small amounts of inks should not result in significant health effects for your pet. Some staining and irritation of the mouth and throat tissues may be observed, but these effects should diminish over time.
Don't Sleep With Pets:
For the first few nights of sleeping with a new tattoo, we hate to say it but don't sleep with your dog, cat, or pets. Your pet may lick the tattooed skin or area of a new tattoo, and this can cause bacteria.
One of the biggest questions is when can we go back to sleeping like normal. The average person who has followed their aftercare instructions can start sleeping on their tattoo between 4 to 7 days after getting it.
Tattoos, T-shirts, toys—if it's branded as “black light,” your dog doesn't need a black light to see it. For him, it's just… light. Your dog sees an artist's every mistake and change of heart, again, because of his ability to see UV light.
Pets bring inside an invisible layer of bacteria and dander each time they step back in your home. These germs can lead to a serious skin infection if your tattoo becomes coated in these microscopic flecks.
Don't let anyone touch it (or, yes, lick it) – Why? Because germs that's why. Your new tattoo is like an open wound. It's easily susceptible to germs and infections.
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.
Is It True If a Dog Licks Your Wound, It Heals Faster? No. This is an old wives' tale and a misunderstanding of the properties of a dog's salvia. While a dog's saliva does contain some antiseptic properties, these are often minor compared to the potential bacteria that may be introduced.
So, consider this your warning: don't let dogs or cats lick any open wounds! This includes healing scratches, punctures or anywhere where the skin has been broken. Even if you have a strong immune system, if a pet licks an open wound, wash it with soap and water right away, just to be safe.
New developments in the human area are presumably assigned to dog saliva. Because of the presence of a quite different mouth flora including various potential zoonotic pathogens, it is strictly not advised to let dogs lick the wounds or face of the human.
We would suggest you to avoid going out in the sunlight in the first 24 - 72 hours. This is the time when your tattoo needs to rest and not come into contact with continuous heat or water.
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.
Tattoo cream: how many days you need to apply it for optimal skin healing. After getting a tattoo, you should moisturize it daily for at least 10 to 14 days. Respecting these timeframes is absolutely crucial because, if your skin dries out, you are likely to get very disappointing results.
Don't sleep on your tattoo
This could not only cause the tattoo to stick to the sheets while you're sleeping, but it could also starve the area of oxygen, which can delay healing times. Your wound needs good, fresh air in order to breathe and regenerate effectively.
A lot of tattoo artists recommend sleeping with the wrap that was put on. Others recommend re-wrapping, or just applying healing ointment and keeping the tattoo clean. The important thing is avoiding infection.
The main thing is to try to keep pressure off of the new tattoo, so if you are a side sleeper with a new arm tattoo, sleep on the opposite arm. If it's a back tattoo, try to sleep on your front. Taking the pressure off will relieve the pain you can feel with a new piece, and it will also help you to avoid damaging it.
Don't worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and masks its true appearance. In time this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself, revealing your tattoo underneath in all its vibrant glory.
Days 2 to 3
Over the next couple of days, you may notice that your tattoo looks dull and cloudy. No need to panic or start thinking about a touch-up. This happens as your skin heals and new skin starts to form. Excess ink and plasma may still ooze from your skin during this time.
A tattoo will usually take 2–4 weeks to heal. During this time, it is important people closely follow aftercare guidance to ensure their tattoo heals and to avoid complications. If the tattoo develops an infection or excessive inflammation, it can slow the healing process.