AFTER CARE DO’S -Leave the cling film on for 1-2 hours, or until you get to a clean environment in which to wash your new tattoo.
Contents
- 1 Is it OK to leave cling film on tattoo for week?
- 2 How do I protect my new tattoo at night?
- 3 How healed is a tattoo after a week?
- 4 Can I workout 3 days after tattoo?
- 5 Why does my tattoo hurt after 3 days?
- 6 Can I leave plastic wrap on my tattoo overnight?
Can I sleep with cling film on my new tattoo?
The first night – The first night is always the hardest. It’s probably still leaking a fair amount of blood, plasma and excess ink, and it probably still hurts. If you have a healing layer like second skin or saniderm over your tattoo, the best option is to keep it on for the first night (or the first few if it stays put).
- If your artist wrapped the tattoo in cling film, it may still stay on well for the first night.
- If the piece has leaked enough for the cling film to come loose, it might be a good idea to take that cling film off.
- Wash the tattoo gently in an antibacterial wash (our aftercare foam cleanser is ideal for this) and then with very clean hands, rewrap the tattoo in cling film.
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.
What happens if I take my tattoo bandage off early?
Your first piece of Saniderm applied by the artist must be worn for 24 hours, do not remove it early. You will have irritation, redness, bleeding, seeping, and ink collect under the bandage.
Is it OK to leave cling film on tattoo for week?
This info should guide you through the care of healing your tattoo, but if you have any other questions while it is healing, do not hesitate to contact your artist directly or call the shop for immediate reply. There are no stupid questions about healing.
After your tattoo is completed, your artist will bandage your tattoo for your trip home. Leave the bandage on for one to three hours. When you take the bandage off, wash it with very warm water (as hot as is comfortable) and mild liquid hand soap (like Dr. Bronner’s, Dial or Softsoap, just no perfumed or exfoliating body washes).
Pat it dry gently with a paper towel, and let it air dry the rest of the way (never scrub the tattoo with a towel or sponge). Then you will apply a very small amount of Aquaphor Ointment or plain, unscented skin lotion (we recommend Aveeno, Lubriderm, Curel, or any of their generics) to the tattoo, just enough to lightly moisturize.
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. 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. Always wash your hands before touching the tattoo. DO NOT apply Vaseline, Neosporin, Bacitracin or any other medicated or perfumed product to your tattoo. After a few days, the tattoo will form a thin scab over it, and in about a week the scab will begin to flake off in the shower. DO NOT pick or scratch at the scab, just keep it clean and moist and the scabs will all fall off by themselves in about two weeks. Picking any of the scabs off will cause faded color and damage to the skin.
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.) Submerge the tattoo in water. This means baths, pools and oceans. Regular showering is fine. Expose it to strong sunlight (Like outdoor activities or beach days. Walking to your car is fine) Shave over the tattoo (ouch!)
When all the scabs fall off and the skin feels smooth again to the touch, it is all healed and you can shave over it again, and swim and everything else. Sometimes after the scab falls off there is a secondary shiny, raised or waxy coat over the tattoo.
- This is just another healing layer of skin.
- Continue to moisturize it and it will smooth out by itself over time.
- If you have any questions about your tattoo while its healing you are always welcome to come by the shop and have us check it out, or email the artist who did the tattoo with “AFTERCARE” in the subject line for an immediate response.
If something doesn’t look perfect After your tattoo is finished healing, we’ll do our best to make it right. Sometimes with excessive scabbing, or other unpredictable reactions during healing, your skin can reject some ink, leaving a “light spot” that is closer to your skin color in the tattoo (or a line might get thinner or lighter in one spot).
- This is common as its unlikely your body will accept every spot of pigment uniformly, so just contact your artist via email after your tattoo is finished healing with a photo to see if a small touch up is in order.
- Unless you were negligent during the care of your tattoo, touch-ups are very minor and quick, and guaranteed by our artists if you contact them about it within 3 months of getting the tattoo.
Because older tattoos that have settled in fully and aged require more work to make uniform, we suggest coming in as soon as possible when it’s healed, as touch ups are performed for a fee at the artist’s discretion after 3 months. While we deal with the healing of tattoos often, we are not doctors, and can only give guidelines on tattoo care, not medical advice.
Should I cover a fresh tattoo to sleep?
Can you sleep on a new tattoo? – In an ideal world, you would be able to sleep and not have to worry about the tattoo. Actually, tattoos are effectively open wounds. This means that you need to, Going days without sleep isn’t an option. People have different techniques.
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 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.
Can I unwrap my tattoo after 2 hours?
Usually, you should remove your tattoo bandage after 3-4 hours. Carefully wash your new tattoo with a professional tattoo cleanser or mild antibacterial soap and lukewarm water. Pat it dry with a fresh paper towel. Always wash your hands before cleaning or touching any skin near the fresh tattoo.
Do you wash tattoo after taking wrap off?
Tattoo Aftercare Information Getting a tattoo is fun, exciting and always an adventure. Every tattoo tells a story, but what happens when you leave the shop? Most of us know, the healing process of a tattoo is probably the most “annoying” part of the whole process.
The scabbing, the itching, trying to sleep, its not always enjoyable. Hopefully this go-to after care guide can help you with any questions, concerns and thoughts you might have when it comes to your new tattoo after care. First things first, once your new tattoo is finally complete, whether you’ve been sitting in the chair for 30 minutes or 6 hours, nothing feels better the sound of your artist saying “We’re finished!” When leaving the chair you may find your fresh new ink wrapped in plastic wrap or second skin.
Depending on how your artist covered your tattoo, depends on how you will care for it during the healing process. If your new ink was wrapped in plastic wrap, here is what you should do: Once returning home, go ahead and remove the plastic wrap and gently wash your tattoo with warm water and soap.
- The soap you use, should be a non-colored, non-perfumed, anti-bacterial soap.
- There are a few brands of soap we recommend.
- Our gallery in particular, prefers H2Ocean Blue-Green Foam Soap or Nat-A-Tat-2 Tattoo Foam Cleanser.
- Do not use shower gel or bar soap to wash your tattoo.
- Once you have the correct soap in hand, GENTLY wash your tattoo with warm water and soap.
Vigorously washing or wiping your tattoo can lead to irritation and/or bleeding. After a gentle wash, take a paper towel and lightly tap your new tattoo. Do not wipe your skin; a light tap or pat will do just the trick. Let your tattoo air try before proceeding to the next step.
With a fresh tattoo, we don’t recommend using an aftercare lotion till the following day. Your body will start to heal your tattoo on its own. Let your white blood cells form that nice light scab to protect your skin. Once this process occurs, then you will apply the appropriate aftercare product. Continue further reading for your aftercare instructions.
If your new Ink was wrapped in second skin, here is what you should do: Second skin is a breathable, thin-self adhesive film that provides a moist healing environment for your new tattoo. When your ink is fresh, this initial stage is the most critical in the healing process.
Second Skin protects your skin from friction and provides a waterproof, protective barrier that prevents contamination. This barrier also allows you to do anything you need while your tattoo is healing, from work to sleeping without a mess on your bed sheets. Your artist may recommend you wear this from 1-5 days.
There are many benefits to second skin. The major benefit being, it allows your body’s own plasma to help heal the tattoo. Once you remove the second skin, your tattoo will be further along on the healing process. To remove second skin from your tattoo, it is best to hop in the shower.
We recommend using soap with warm water to peel it off. The soap you use should be a non-colored, non-perfumed, anti-bacterial soap. There are a few brands of soap we recommend. Our gallery in particular prefers H2Ocean Blue-Green Foam Soap or Nat-A-Tat-2 Tattoo Foam Cleanser. Do not use shower gel or bar soap to wash your tattoo.
Once your soap and water are in place, lift a corner of the film and stretch it toward the center of the tattoo. Grab another corner and repeat. Keep applying the soap as you peel it off. This will help to gently remove it from the skin. After removal of the film, wash your tattoo with the warm water and soap.
- Vigorously washing or wiping your tattoo can lead to irritation and/or bleeding.
- After a gentle wash, take a paper towel and lightly tap your new tattoo.
- Do not wipe your skin; a light tap or pat will do just the trick.
- Let your tattoo air try before proceeding to the next step.
- Continue further reading for your aftercare instructions.
Once your plastic wrap or second skin is removed, here is what you should do: Whether you had a temporary plastic wrap or second skin, here is where you will find what we recommend for tattoo aftercare. There are a lot of different options and every artist has their favorite products.
- Here at Good Vibrations Ink, we find that products like After Inked, and Nat-A-Tat2 and H2Ocean work best! All of these products are gentle to the skin and contain moisturizers.
- Most of these products contain all-natural, organic ingredients and are lotion based.
- Lotion formula is better to heal your tattoo than products that contain lanolin or petroleum.
The lotion is directly absorbed by your skin and allows your wound to breathe along with reducing inflammation. This is extremely important during the healing process and will allow your ink to be as vibrant as possible. Applying after care is quite simple, yet the most important part of having a tattoo.
- The most important thing to remember is, a little goes a long way.
- No matter what after care you choose, gently apply a light layer to the area generally about 3-4 times a day.
- Thin layers of after care will allow your tattoo to breathe, yet be moisturized at the same time.
- Make sure you apply your aftercare to dry skin.
Allow your tattoo to air dry at least 20 minutes after taking a shower before applying your recommended lotion. The overall healing process of your new ink may take anywhere from 2 weeks or longer. Your skin goes through a complete rejuvenation process.
There are several layers of skin that will flake away till your tattoo is completely healed. Do not be alarmed, this is normal. Depending upon your skin and how your body heals, it may take over 1 month for your skin to feel back to normal or smooth again. Here is what you should avoid with your new tattoo: As part of the healing process, you’ll find that your tattoo will begin to scab and or flake.
DO NOT PICK AND OR SCRATCH YOUR NEW TATTOO. Doing so can lead to color loss in your tattoo and or scarring. If your tattoo becomes itchy at any point, do not scratch or rub, it is best to pat your tattoo and apply your appropriate aftercare lotion. Additional things to avoid in the next several days after getting your tattoo would be tanning beds, and or sun tanning, salt water, chlorine, hot tubs and saunas.
Also avoid submerging your tattoo for the first week or two. All of these actions jeopardize the overall healing of the new skins the area of your tattoo. Here is some additional tips for your new ink: Once you notice your tattoo has finished flaking and seems to be healed, make sure to periodically use a moisturizing skin lotion to keep the tattoo vibrant.
Also a strong sunblock or sunscreen over your tattoo will protect it. The sun and tattoos aren’t the best of friends. The sun tends to fade tattoos drastically. After being in the sun for long periods, follow up with again another good skin moisturizer.
Do not be afraid to shave over your tattoo! Body hair can make your tattoo look faded and dull, shaving can help bring the vibrance back to your tattoo. Do not be afraid, body hair does not come back thicker once shaved, it is perfectly safe to shave over tattoos. Also, what you eat and drink can play a huge part in how your body heals your ink.
Staying on a healthy diet can drastically improve the process. What you eat can influence how quickly your skin heals after getting inked. After getting your tattoo (and following our aftercare instructions) you should focus on nourishing your body with anti-inflammatory food and avoid food that isn’t so healthy.
- Processed foods lack a ton of essential elements.
- Consuming lots of fruits and vegetables with omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants will aid in the healing process.
- A lot of these foods have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Most importantly, drink water! Water is essential and you should be drinking plenty of water, whether or not you just got a new tattoo.
Staying hydrated will prevent your skin from drying up, hence promoting an ideal environment for your tattoo to heal. Avoiding alcohol in large quantities is also recommended since alcohol causes overall inflammation in the body. In plain words, eat clean! Here is the sum of it all: With all that being said, getting a tattoo is a great experience whether it’s your 1st tattoo or your 20th! Aftercare plays a huge part in the aftermath of the health of your tattoo.
- At Good Vibrations Ink we highly encourage our customers and clients to really understand the meaning of good aftercare.
- We want your tattoos to stay beautiful and vibrant for as long as possible and that means being aware of all of the instructions we just discussed.
- A tattoo is a work of art, don’t be care-less and follow our aftercare instructions for the best results.
You may always email our shop at with any questions you may have. Thanks for reading and enjoy your new ink! : Tattoo Aftercare Information
Can I take second skin off after 2 days?
Tried & True Tattoo Aftercare The original and still the best. Free U.S. Shipping Over $50 Fast, free delivery to your door. Gentle On Skin & Soul Certified Vegan & Cruelty-Free chevron_left chevron_right Find answers to our most frequently asked questions.
- What is SecondSkin™ bandage made of? SecondSkin™ is made from an acrylic adhesive, a polyurethane membrane, and a paper backing.
- What is the difference between Premium Matte and the original? Our Premium Matte bandage is thinner and more flexible than our original bandage.
- It is easier to put on and more comfortable to wear.
It also is easier to remove. It has a matte finish which allows clothing and sheets to slide over easily and is less noticeable on the skin. How long can I leave SecondSkin™ on? You can leave SecondSkin™ on for up to seven days. We do recommend changing the bandage around the 24-36 hour mark.
- See our full instructions here,
- If you experience any irritation or discomfort discontinue use.
- Is SecondSkin™ bandage suitable for me if I’m allergic to Bandaids and medical tape? If you know you’re allergic to medical adhesives or one of the ingredients, you should not use Secondskin™ bandage.
- We would instead suggest using our tattoo cream,
There’s some leftover adhesive, how do I get it off? Massage some coconut oil (or our tattoo cream ) into the area with clean hands. Let it sit for about a minute and then gently rub it off. If that doesn’t do the trick, repeat the process. Are all of your products vegan? Yes, we’re vegan owned and maintaining our ethics is very important to us.
Our original tattoo cream is certified vegan. Does your tattoo cream or foaming wash contain any parabens, sulfates, or phthalates? No. We use all natural ingredients. In addition to that, our original tattoo cream is certified organic. Does your tattoo cream or foaming wash have any added fragrances? We do not use any fragrances in our products.
We want to make sure that they are accessible to people who may have more sensitive skin or allergies. I just placed an order and I’m getting tattooed tomorrow, will it be here in time? Nope. It takes 2 – 5 days for processing and then another 2 – 3 days shipping within the United States.
Can I drink after getting a tattoo?
Drunken behaviour could ruin your new tattoo – It also goes without saying, try not to get smashed after getting a new tattoo. Stumbling about town is not conducive to good healing, and if you scrape your new piece badly you could scrape it clean off.
Why did my tattoo artist not wrap my tattoo?
In order to heal your tattoo needs to breathe. Cling wrap prevents it from doing so and also can trap bacteria and increase the possibility of infection. Your tattoo artist might have cling wrapped it when they finished working on it, but once you take that off you should not cling wrap it again.
Should I let my tattoo breathe?
#3. Removing the Wrapping Too Early – I know, I know. You just got a your tattoo and you want to look at it! That dang bandage that the artist puts on after your session can be annoying, but it’s there for a reason. Your fresh tattoo is basically one giant open wound.
- The wrapping that they put over it keeps any bacteria or airborne particles from getting into it.
- How long should you keep it on? Well, listen to your artist.
- Some will tell you 2 hours, some will tell you overnight.
- Your artist knows what he/she is talking about, so it’s best to just listen to what they advise and stick to that! 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. And that’s the last thing you want! So let that tattoo fly free in wind!
How do I protect my new tattoo at night?
Keep the tattoo covered – To protect your tattoo from bacteria and other contaminants, be sure to keep it covered with a clean and breathable bandage. You can also use a specialized tattoo cover, such as an adhesive bandage specifically designed for tattoo aftercare. Keeping a new tattoo covered is important for several reasons:
- Protection from bacteria: The first few days after getting a tattoo, the skin is more susceptible to infection. Keeping the tattoo covered helps prevent bacteria and other contaminants from coming into contact with the wound, reducing the risk of infection.
- Minimizing friction: Friction from clothing or other objects can cause irritation and disrupt the healing process, leading to scabbing and scarring. Covering the tattoo helps minimize friction and promotes optimal healing.
- Maintaining hydration: Keeping the tattoo covered helps maintain hydration, which is important for reducing the risk of scabbing, scarring, and other complications.
- Avoiding exposure to irritants: Covering the tattoo helps protect it from exposure to irritants, such as the sun, salt water, or harsh chemicals, which can slow down the healing process and cause damage to the skin.
How healed is a tattoo after a week?
How should my tattoo look after 3 days? After a week? – After three days, your tattoo may still be tender, red, and swollen, and it might start to scab or form a protective layer. It’s normal for the tattoo to feel itchy and appear somewhat dull or faded during this stage of the healing process.
Can I workout 3 days after tattoo?
6 Tips to Workout with a New Tattoo (even the day after) If you’re a gym-rat or serious athlete that’s thinking about getting a tattoo, you’re likely wondering how that affects your training schedule. Or if you’ve recently added some new ink and you’re ready to get back to lifting, you may be wondering if you can workout at all.
We’ll start by answering that burning question on your mind: “Can I workout after a tattoo?” Yes, you can workout after getting a tattoo. But how soon and which type of workout will vary from person to person. Exactly when and the intensity of your first workout will vary based on tattoo size, location, and your level of pain.
For example, someone with a small wrist piece will likely be able to workout before someone who just finished up a, And of course you’ll be able to go for a light walk before you pick up the barbell. For most people, you can workout 2-3 days after your tattoo.
Why does my tattoo hurt after 3 days?
Some signs of a potential infection include: weeping that lasts longer than two or three days after getting the tattoo, hives, rashes, severe pain or itching on and near the tattooed area, persistent redness and scarring.
Should I cling wrap my tattoo at night?
Avoid Sleeping on Your Freshly-inked Tattoo – Always go for a sleeping position that doesn’t put any weight or pressure on the tattoo, This will ensure that blood and oxygen circulate well. These are the positions to consider for each tattoo placement:
- Back tattoos: Sleep on your front
- Chest tattoos: Sleep on your back
- Side tattoos: Sleep on your opposite side
- Leg tattoos: Elevate your leg with a pillow, cushion or rolled-up towel.
Can I leave plastic wrap on my tattoo overnight?
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.
Can I put a bandaid on my tattoo at night?
TEGADERM METHOD – Some of our artists will provide you with a Tegaderm (also known as Saniderm or Tattooderm) bandage. This method of healing is a little different, so it’s important to follow these steps. Tegaderm is a sterile, breathable, waterproof, germ-proof barrier to protect your new tattoo.
Tegaderm will protect your tattoo from contamination and will also protect your clothes and sheets from excess ink, blood and fluid that are the normal by-products of healing a tattoo.You can shower normally while healing, but please still abstain from swimming or submerging your tattoo in bodies of water.1.
Your artist will bandage your new tattoo with Tegaderm. He will provide you with a second bandage. Leave the original bandage on overnight.2. Remove your bandage slowly and carefully the next morning. Discard this Tegaderm. Wash your tattoo with warm water and liquid soap.
Can I wrap my tattoo with paper towel overnight?
- Always wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap before cleaning and touching your tattoo.
- Gently remove bandage in 2 to 4 hours.
- Gently wash your tattoo with an anti-bacterial soap and warm water. Do not use a washcloth or anything that will exfoliate your tattoo. Only use your hands.
- Without rubbing, pat dry with a fresh paper towel. Do not rub, or use a fabric with a rough surface.
- For the first 4 days, apply an antibiotic or ointment or lotion. 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.
- After a few days, your tattoo will begin to peel. Do not pick at the skin. Begin using a mild, white, unscented lotion, free of dyes or Perfumes. Use lotion for minimum 2 weeks, 1-2 times daily.