When Can I Stop Washing My New Tattoo? You should continue washing your tattoo until it is fully healed. It is considered fully healed when all scabs have fallen off, and the skin has regenerated and closed up. This process generally takes between 2 to 4 weeks.
I recommend you wash for about 3 times a day for the first handful of days, and then once it is finished peeling you can begin to taper down washing. But most of the time you are washing your tattoo for upwards of 1.5-2 weeks, depending on size and how just manipulation there was to the skin (style of tattoo).
Your skin's trying to heal, the more you clean it, the longer it will take. Once a day should be fine, if the tattoo isn't exposed all the time. You should definitely continue to wash your tattoo. If it's been 3 days it probably hasn't even started peeling yet, so you still need to keep it clean.
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.
When the peeling begins, switch to a regular FRAGRANCE FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance free brand for an additional 2 weeks. Your tattoo should be completely healed within 2-4 weeks. If you have extremely sensitive skin, the lotion may cause breakouts.
Tattoos are essentially open wounds, and exposing them to water too soon can lead to bacterial infections, skin irritation, and even damage to the tattoo design. Therefore, tattoo artists recommend waiting at least 2-4 weeks before submerging your new ink in swimming pools, hot tubs, or open water.
Wash your tattoo once or twice a day for the duration of the healing time. Too much washing can wash away your body's natural bacteria which helps your skin to heal. Washing the tattoo in the morning and at night before you go to bed is sufficient. For the first day, the tattoo will “ooze” clear plasma.
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.
However, showering is perfectly fine, as long as you don't saturate your tattoo. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, wash it quickly with water. You should avoid swimming in a fresh or saltwater pool for at least two weeks.
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.
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.
You'll want to avoid washing your tattoo too soon or waiting too long. Generally, you'll want to wait for no less than five hours and no more than 24 hours. And of course, not washing your tattoo at all is a bad idea. Be aware of the importance of only washing or touching your tattoo when your hands are clean.
Can you rub a peeling tattoo? You should not rub, scratch, or peel the tattoo, no matter how tempting it may seem.
Use the Aquaphor for the first 2-3 days then switch to a regular FRAGRANCE-FREE lotion such as Lubriderm, or any other fragrance-free brand. 5. Fresh tattoos sometimes “weep” during the first couple of days, meaning that plasma and ink form a thin moist coating on the skin. This can be DABBED with a clean paper towel.
If you're a new artist: Avoid areas that are prone to blowouts. It's much easier to blow out a line on thin skin. If you're worried about causing a tattoo blowout on your first tattoos, you can suggest a new placement to your client on an area with thicker skin.
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.
Sleep on a clean surface
Avoid sleeping directly on the tattoo, as the friction from the sheets can disrupt the healing process. Be sure to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your tattoo artist and use a clean pillowcase or bedding to promote a healthy healing process.
After you leave the studio you will have been cleaned and bandaged; remove the bandage after 3-4 hours. Don't remove the bandage until you can properly clean the tattoo with mild soap and warm 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.
According to tattoo artists, you should begin using lotion on a tattoo once it begins to dry. It is a waiting game, in a way. You don't want to apply lotion while the ink is still wet. How long it takes the ink to dry is dependent on your body, the size of the tattoo, and environmental factors such as humidity.
What NOT to do? DON'T re-bandage your tattoo, rub, scratch or pick at your new tattoo. DON'T apply alcohol, Neosporin, Vaseline, or petroleum jelly (they can trap dirt and germs and cause infection). DON'T apply a heavy coat of lotion (remember the skin must breathe in order to heal).