For at least the first three weeks of a new tattoo, you should consider ditching the skinny jeans and corsets and grab some loose-fitting cotton tees and mom jeans; they're back in style, anyway! Tight clothing is non-essential and is simply not worth the risk to a new tattoo.
If wearing tight-fitting clothes is your style, you'll have to give it up for the next couple of weeks. Instead, wear loose-fitting clothes that are comfortable to cover new tattoos fully. Tight clothes will constantly rub against your tattoo, potentially damaging any new protective layer your skin has grown.
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.
Tattoo touch-ups can only take place once your tattoo is fully healed (anywhere between 4 weeks to 6 months). Touching up a tattoo before it has had the chance to heal will only aggravate and further implicate the artwork.
Avoid Tight Clothing
One of the most important things you should do to go through a smooth recovery is to let your fresh tattoo breathe. As you can imagine, tight clothing prevents this from happening and can, consequently, cause damage to your tattoo.
You should keep your new tattoo covered for a minimum 8–10 days. The fabric should be cotton as would absorb any perspiration from around the tattoo and also help the skin breathe to heal. Close fitting or tight clothes will rub against the skin and cause irritation, maybe even infection.
A new tattoo is likely to seep ink or bleed in the first few days. To avoid stains on daytime clothes, wear loose, non-clinging old garments that won't rub. Make sure bedding is clean and changed regularly throughout the healing period to avoid infections.
Weeks 5 and 6: completely healed
You'll know you're in this phase — and that your tattoo is fully healed — because all the dry skin and scabs have sloughed off to reveal new, smooth skin with a vibrant tattoo and you no longer feel the burning and itchiness because the body has repaired itself.
Signs of an over-moisturised tattoo include irritated, inflamed skin; scabs may appear on the tattoo, or the skin may look redder on and around the tattooed area. What's more, the ink could appear slightly blurred.
The healing process is different for every person and tattoo. Most sources indicate that tattoos generally take about 2 weeks to heal. However, it may take up to 4 weeks for the skin to fully recover. Some complications may prolong the healing process.
Yes. Your new tattoo may stain you clothing during the first few days of healing. Try to wear something dark so you won't ruin your garment.
It is advisable that you refrain from drinking for at least 48-72 hours after getting a tattoo. It is normal for plasma and blood to ooze 48 hours after getting a tattoo. However, alcohol consumption will increase the bleeding rate due to blood thinning.
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.
While it is healing, NEVER touch your tattoo without first washing your hands with a mild, liquid antibacterial soap. Initially, leave your bandage on for 1-3 hours. After removing the bandage in a clean environment, gently wash the tattooed area with warm water and an antibacterial soap. Do not scrub.
APPLY LOTION TWICE A DAY or whenever the tattoo is feeling stiff or dry. But DO NOT OVER MOISTURIZE! Continue applying lotion for the remainder of two weeks or until the tattoo is fully healed.
Going without the use of a tattoo aftercare moisturizer during the healing phase will run the risk of infection and damaging the tattoo design, leaving you with a final result far from what you had in mind.
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.
A tattoo is VERY bright when it is first completed but during the healing process, it starts to look discolored and dull. Don't worry, when the tattoo is finished healing, the color will come back.
Working Out After Getting a New Tattoo
As a general rule, it's recommended to wait 2-3 days before any high intensity training. Then, it's recommended to wait slowly with light exercise programs until the new tattoo is completely healed (2-3 weeks after getting the tattoo).
If your tattoo is bandaged with Saniderm (Second Skin), you should keep the bandage on for 3-4 days. During this time, it is normal to see some fluid build up beneath the bandage. (If the bandage begins to leak, you must remove the bandage and follow the standard aftercare instructions listed below).
Let it heal properly
Despite the fact that it may be tempting to show off your new tattoo right away, you should wait at least 10-14 days until you let it get in contact with direct sunlight.
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.