Do not use any healing ointment or moisturizer, only plastic wrap over your cleaned and dried skin. With this method, the tattoo is kept completely covered with plastic wrap 24 hours a day, for as long as it takes to peel—usually 3 to 5 days.
In general, it's best to keep a freshly done tattoo uncovered and avoid any activities that could cause irritation or damage to the tattoo, such as swimming, sunbathing, or wearing tight clothing.
A tattoo is a wound and if you cover it, it will heal faster but can pull the ink out of your skin as well. Do not wrap again after the first time.
After getting a tattoo, it's generally recommended to keep it covered with a bandage or wrap for the first few hours to protect it from bacteria and irritation. However, once you've passed the initial healing period (usually a few hours), you can remove the bandage and let the tattoo breathe.
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).
Remove the bandage after 3-12 hours. For example, if you get tattooed early in the day, leave the bandage on until the evening, but if you get tattooed at night and go to bed soon after, it's ok to leave the initial bandage on until the morning.
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.
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.
Leave the cling film on for 2 to 3 hours after getting your tattoo. This initial period helps protect the new ink from bacteria and environmental contaminants. Once you remove the initial cling film, avoid re-wrapping your tattoo unless necessary.
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.
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.
"Plastic wrap or Saran wrap creates an occlusive layer over the tattoo," explains Camp. "While helpful to protect the tattoo from infection, a thick layer of plastic wrap prevents the exchange of oxygen and can affect wound healing." The idea is that this keeps all of the body fluids pooling on the skin's surface.
Days 1-3 are about keeping the tattoo covered but also clean, and allowing it to breathe for a period of time each day. Around days 6 -15 you will get some scabbing, even if you've been applying products.
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.
There hasn't been an official study on how much ink (if any) Aquaphor can remove or fade from a tattoo. In the interest of fairness, plenty of tattoo artists claim that they've never experienced ink loss in their clients that use Aquaphor.
It is best to leave the tattoo open to the air because the constant friction of a bandage may cause healing problems. Only bandage if necessary! - DO NOT use Vaseline, A+D ointment, Neosporin or petroleum jelly. - DO NOT use alcohol or peroxide.
- Longevity Issues: They are more prone to fading and blurring over time. - Detail Loss: Intricate designs may not hold up well as the skin ages and the ink spreads. - Cover-Up Needs: Tiny tattoos often require cover-ups or touch-ups in the future.
“After you apply the first Saniderm bandage, we recommend leaving it on your new tattoo for between 8 to 24 hours. Everyone heals differently, and the length of time will vary depending on how much fluid your tattoo is weeping.
Aftercare & Aging
Fine line tattoos are applied with less ink. While the ink is still embedded in the second layer of skin, the single needle does not penetrate as deeply or deposit as much ink. As a result, it is common for fine line tattoos to fade with age.
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.