Ditch the tight clothing…for now. Time to bust out those hammer pants. During the first two weeks of healing, you should avoid wearing anything tight. Think of it like having a scrape or burn—you wouldn't want clothing to be rubbing against it all day.
During the healing process, you should avoid covering your tattoo with anything that might cause irritation or infection. Instead, opt for loose-fitting clothing that won't rub against your tattoo. If necessary, you can cover it with a clean, breathable bandage for short periods of time.
Wear clothes that allow the tattoo to breathe. Most sports clothing is made from synthetics and is not good over a healing tattoo. Cotton t-shirt fabric is best.
If you are going to be wearing tight clothing, consider covering your tattoo with a non-stick bandage or a piece of gauze. This will help protect your tattoo from rubbing and prevent any irritation or infection. Avoid wearing clothing made of rough fabrics like wool or synthetic materials.
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.
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.
Don't wear any clothes that can constrain or rub against the tattoo (tight clothing) for at least one week after your session. Don't let your pets or children touch the tattoo for at least one week Again, do all you can to avoid the risk of infection.
Keeping the area clean: Keeping the tattoo covered and protected while sleeping can help prevent the buildup of dirt, sweat, and other substances that can irritate the skin and slow down the healing process.
Specific tattoo ointments are required. Change your bedsheets and use old sheets for sleeping. It's not unusual for some seeping to take place. If your tattoo comes in touch with the sheets then you can ruin your bedsheets, ink is not designed to wash out.
Make yourself comfortable.
Wear clothes that will allow easy access to the part of your body you want tattooed. For example: if you're getting a leg tattoo, don't wear skinny jeans. If you're getting a big tattoo, wear something you'll be comfortable in for a few hours.
Drunken behaviour could ruin your new tattoo
You need to be aware of keeping your tattoo clean and dry while it is fresh, so a night out might not be the best option. It's generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours after your new tattoo before you start drinking alcohol again.
If your new tattoo is on a covered body part please try to wear loose clothing made of soft materials. For example, wearing jeans after you have a thigh tattoo is not recommended－sweat pants or shorts are much better choices.
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.)
"During the healing process, you should moisturize your tattoo three to six times a day," Ladna says. "Keeping your tattoo hydrated during the initial days is especially critical. If your tattoo becomes too dry, the healing may actually take longer, and you may risk losing color saturation."
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.
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.
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.
Most professionals say you can generally expect tattoos to heal in two weeks, but it's usually safe to work out 48 hours after getting a tattoo or 1–2 days after laser tattoo removal. Make sure you're wearing comfortable clothes, following aftercare instructions, and avoiding overexertion.
The goal is to try your best not to put any pressure on your tattoo and to keep it from touching anything, at least as much as possible. A healing tattoo needs lots of fresh air and oxygen, so try not to smother it while sleeping.
Knowing how long and when you should cover your tattoo plays a large role in effective aftercare. So, how long should I have my tattoo wrapped? Keep your tattoo wrapped for 2-4 hours after leaving the tattoo shop. If using protective tattoo film instead of plastic foil, keep the wrap on for 3-4 days.
Standard Bandage:
1. Leave bandage on for 2-3 hours or as instructed by your artist. 2. Wash your hands well with soap before touching your new tattoo.