What happens if a tattoo gets wet?

Author: Lonzo Weber  |  Last update: Friday, October 31, 2025

Skin irritation – New tattoos can be painful and irritating while they heal regardless, and submerging them in water–especially salt or chlorine–can cause stinging, burning, and even contact dermatitis. Tattoo damage – Water can cause fading and discoloration for new tattoos.

What if I accidentally wet my new tattoo?

Prob fine just clean it really well. Just keep an eye for signs of infection like redness, swelling, feeling really warm, oozing etc. I think it will probably be okay though.

How long until I can shower after a tattoo?

Yes, you can shower after getting a new tattoo, but it's important to follow a few key steps to protect your new art. It's generally recommended to wait at least 24 hours before jumping into the shower. This initial waiting period gives your skin time to begin healing.

How long before a new tattoo can get wet?

Wait 24-48 Hours: After getting your tattoo, wait at least 24 to 48 hours before showering. This allows the initial healing process to begin and reduces the risk of infection.

What happens if a new tattoo is too moist?

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.

How To Shower With A NEW Tattoo The RIGHT Way!

Do tattoos heal better dry or moist?

Skin needs to be a little bit wet to heal. Technically, wet healing is always the best choice — because your body knows what it's doing. There may be situations where wet healing techniques seem a little bit excessive, so it seems easier to skip them, but it's best not to.

Why is my tattoo fading after 3 days?

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.

Should I let my tattoo dry out and peel?

If scabs develop, they can remove the color beneath them if prematurely removed. It's important that they're allowed to dry out completely, and not get waterlogged at any time. The scab will eventually fall off on its own, and the tattoo should be fine if no deep cracks have formed.

When can you stop washing a tattoo?

Wash your tattoo until it is fully healed, typically within 2 to 4 weeks. Proper washing does not fade tattoos; it helps prevent infections and promotes healing.

Is it okay for clothes to touch a new tattoo?

Is it OK to wear clothes over a new tattoo? Yes, but try not to after the few initial days after application. If you do, make sure you change your clothes frequently. In our experience, tattoos can weep onto the clothes and if you don't change them, it can cause infection.

Should I cover my tattoo when I sleep?

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.

Will water mess up my tattoo?

Bottom line: prolonged submersion of your tattoo in water leaves you at risk of infection, leaches ink from your tattoo causing fading and blurriness, and makes your skin itch and scab which takes the tattoo longer to heal.

How soon after a tattoo can you shower?

After getting a new tattoo, it's important to wait at least 24 hours before showering. This delay allows the tattoo to begin the healing process and ensures that the open wound has had enough time to close, reducing the risk of infection.

Can I put vaseline on my tattoo?

To aid the skin healing process, the tattoo needs to be kept moist. You can use a very thin layer of hypoallergenic ointment or fragrance-free lotion like Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Advanced Repair Unscented Lotion, or Vaseline® Healing Jelly Original. Repeat daily for 2-3 weeks to help wound healing.

Is it better to heal a tattoo wet or dry?

Compared to dry dressings, studies indicate that moist dressings expedite the wound healing process in patients. Since Paramedical Tattoos are essentially wounding, they fall into the same category. Medical Professionals dress wounds this way because renewed skin will only form without scabs or inflammation.

What causes tattoo ink to fall out?

Poor aftercare

Not taking proper aftercare precautions could also contribute to patchiness; picking scabs off your new tattoo, swimming or submerging it in the bath, exposing it to UV rays while it's still in the early stages of healing could all lead to ink loss and patchiness.

What does an infected tattoo look like?

Signs of a tattoo infection may appear across the entire tattoo or only within specific colors. They can include: Bumps on your skin (papules) that sometimes contain pus (pustules). Nodules, bumps on or below your skin that are larger than papules.

What is a tattoo blowout?

"A blowout is when a tattoo expands below the skin layer when it hits fat [and] veins or when scarring occurs," says Crys. "It is easily identified by the blurring effect on the surface of the tattoo."

Do black tattoos get darker after healing?

The ink will usually end up looking a tiny bit darker and less vibrant once healed. Of course, a lot of this will be down to the quality of ink used, and the technique of the artist.

Do tattoos look smudged while healing?

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.

Does over moisturizing a tattoo cause blowout?

Over-moisturising can lead to inflamed tattoos and potentially infection. Excess moisture can clog your skin's pores which prevents it from breathing, something that's important for your skin to heal. This can lead to breakouts on the skin that can damage the tattoo.

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