Pat it with a clean soft cloth or paper towel and let it air dry for 10-20 minutes or until the skin begins to feel tight. This allows for excess moisture to evaporate out. It is very important to let the tattoo "breathe".
Yes, allowing your tattoo to ``breathe'' is important for its healing process. After getting a tattoo, it's typically recommended to keep it covered with a protective bandage for the first few hours or as advised by your tattoo artist.
After getting a new tattoo, it's common for the tattoo artist to cover it with a bandage or wrap for the first few hours to protect it from bacteria and keep it clean. After you remove the initial covering, the general recommendation is to allow the tattoo to breathe and heal without re-wrapping it.
Fresh tattoos need air and your skin needs to breathe, purge excess ink, blood, and serum. Keep it as uncovered as possible when you know there's no risk of it coming into contact with a lot of dust or dirt.
It's generally recommended to keep a new tattoo covered for the first few hours to protect it from bacteria and irritation. After that, most tattoo artists suggest removing the wrap and allowing the tattoo to breathe.
Leaving the bandage on for too long can result in infection, so always change your bandage within the stated timeframe. Most tattoos can be properly healed with 2 applications of the bandage, with each application being left on the skin for 1-2 days, for a 3 or 4 day total.
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.
"If there is some scabbing or flaking, we advise clients not to pick and to allow the scab or dry skin to come off on its own," says Otsuji. "Picking at your tattoo during the peeling stage can result in it appearing patchy, distorted, and dull once healed."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Benefits of Dry Healing
Natural Healing Process Dry healing allows the body to use its natural healing mechanisms, which can result in a more vibrant and detailed tattoo. Simplified Routine Without the need for multiple applications of ointments or creams, the aftercare routine becomes simpler and less time-consuming.
Air dry. Let your tattoo air dry. You can pat the tattoo gently with a clean paper towel, but you must let the tattoo dry, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes after each cleaning. Any extra moisture trapped by immediately covering the tattoo is an invitation for bacteria to multiply.
It's normal for tattoos to peel during the healing process, and letting nature take its course is essential! Don't pick, scratch, or do anything else that can disrupt peeling skin, as that can damage the appearance of your tattoo and even lead to scarring.
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.
Your tattoo is going through the normal healing process.
This milky skin sticks around for 1-2 weeks, and it might make your tattoo ink appear less vibrant. A lack of ink isn't a problem if your tattoo is still peeling and healing.
After you uncover the initial bandage or wrapping per your artist's recommendation, keep it uncovered so it can stay dry, breathe and heal. Don't Touch, Pick, Rub or Scratch! – This is a big No-No! Tattoos are open wounds and vulnerable to infection during the healing process.
Keeping the area clean: Keeping the tattoo covered and protected while sleeping can help prevent the buildup of dirt, sweat, and other substances that can irritate the skin and slow down the healing process.