A person should avoid submerging the tattoo in water or getting the tattoo wet during the first 3–6 weeks, except for when washing it.
You can get it lightly wet in the shower just dry it off afterwards, dabbing not wiping. Your artist should've given you post care tips though. Usually you're meant to avoid submerging the tattoo in water for a few weeks, getting it a bit wet in the shower is fine after 24 hours though.
It's crucial to allow your tattoo to fully heal before exposing it to water, especially in pools or oceans, to avoid infection or damage to the design. Typically, you should wait at least two to three weeks before submerging your tattoo in water.
If you get your new tattoo wet, it's not the end of the world. So, there's no need to panic if you get caught in the rain. As long as you're not soaking your tattoo, you're going to be just fine. Allow the tattoo to dry, apply a thin layer of aftercare moisturizer like Sanibalm, and get on with your day.
To avoid these potential risks and complications, it is important to follow proper aftercare procedures for your new tattoo. This includes avoiding submerging the tattoo in water, including baths, pools, and hot tubs, for at least 2-3 weeks after getting the tattoo.
After usually no less than 5 hours, it is safe to remove the bandage and wash the tattoo. After thorough handwashing, a person can gently wash the tattoo with hypoallergenic soap and warm water using their fingers.
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.
Tattoo damage – Water can cause fading and discoloration for new tattoos. Salt and chlorine are both particularly harmful as they can pull ink from fresh tattoos and cause them to heal blurred or patchy.
It is possible to over-moisturize a new tattoo, which can actually delay the healing process. Excess moisture in the skin can create the perfect environment for bacteria and germ growth, potentially causing side effects like inflammation, breakouts, infection, and tattoo blurring or fading.
Swimming in a chlorinated pool after getting tattooed is not recommended. Chlorine can irritate the healing skin and increase the risk of infection, so it's best to wait at least 2-4 weeks for your tattoo to fully heal before swimming.
Do not take a bath and fully submerge your tattoo for 3-4 weeks after getting a tattoo. The larger the tattoo, the longer we recommend you wait to fully submerge your tattoo in water. You should never submerge a new tattoo in water for any length of time directly following a tattoo.
As mentioned, the second skin is waterproof so you can shower without worrying about your tattoo. Once the 3 to 5 days have passed, it's time to remove the film! If it proves to be difficult to remove, you can lightly apply warm water to the area as you pull it off (e.g. in the shower).
Unfortunately, there's no way to control what your body does while you sleep, but keeping your new tattoo covered during the night will help mitigate the risk of causing any injuries by scratching it.
Method 1 The “Wet” Method (Recommended)
After you leave the studio you will have been cleaned and bandaged; remove the bandage after 3-4 hours and clean the skin with mild soap and warm water. After washing, gently pat it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel, then allow it to air-dry for 15 minutes.
While a new tattoo can push out ink, along with blood and plasma, it typically does no harm and doesn't lead to a tattoo blowout. This leaking typically lasts no more than 48 hours. However, bruising from a new tattoo can make it look a little blurred or smudged as it goes through the healing process.
Tattoos are open wounds, so during the first few weeks the skin is still healing. One of the biggest risks when submerging your new tattoo in a bubble bath is infection. Getting your new tattoo too wet can prevent it from healing properly, and it might end up looking patchy.
It's recommended to wait at least 2–4 weeks before taking a bath, or until your tattoo is fully healed. By this time, the scabs should have fallen off naturally, and the skin should no longer appear raw or irritated. However, healing times can vary depending on the size, placement, and individual skin type.
Rainwater can carry bacteria and contaminants that may lead to infections if the tattoo is exposed to it. Rainy weather often brings fluctuating temperatures, which can impact blood circulation and the tattoo healing process.
Black ink tends to outlast any other color because it is super pigmented. Other darker colors like dark blue, dark green, gray, and dark purple will have a similar lifespan to black ink. Lighter inks like yellows, reds, oranges, whites, and any pastel tones tend to fade a bit more quickly than darker inks.
You've got fresh new ink, and within days (up to a week), you notice your new tattoo has begun to scab. At first, this may seem really alarming. And you may worry that it's a sign of infection or that your tattoo will get damaged. Fortunately, tattoo scabbing is completely normal.