When can I shower normally after a tattoo on Reddit?

Author: Ian Marvin  |  Last update: Thursday, July 10, 2025

Just a heads up water touching your tattoo is fine, you just don't want to be soaking it in a bath tub or similar. 2 weeks is a pretty safe time frame, unless it is clearly still flaking or you're having a difficult heal.

When can I take a normal shower after a tattoo?

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.

When can I start using regular body wash on a tattoo?

Comments Section I started using regular body wash I think about a month after I got the tattoo. The tattoo was completely healed and it felt like normal skin. (Not a doctorHonestly once the skin has formed a new layer of skin covering the tattoo you can use it. Usually happens between 2-3 weeks if you healed fine.

Can I have a bath 3 weeks after a tattoo on Reddit?

My general rule of thumb is 2 weeks for being directly hit by water and 4 weeks absolute minimum for submerging. I don't start counting days until I've removed the second skin.

How soon is too soon to wash a tattoo?

After usually no less than 5 hours, it is safe to remove the bandage and wash the tattoo.

How To Shower With A NEW Tattoo The RIGHT Way!

When can I stop washing my tattoo on Reddit?

By the end of the first week it is mostly healed. You don't need to continually wash it for weeks. Keep your skin moisturized so it can do its job after the trauma it took and you will be fine. Keep it clean for at least 72 hours.

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.

How long after a tattoo can you shave?

Eaves recommends allowing your new tattoo anywhere between two weeks to a month to fully heal before shaving (you can find his tattoo aftercare tips here) — this means no scabbing, peeling or shininess on or around the site of the tattoo. Once your tattoo is fully healed, however, shave as your heart desires.

Can you submerge a tattoo after 1 week?

Swimming should be avoided until your tattoo is fully healed, which usually takes about two to four weeks. Submerging a fresh tattoo in water can increase the risk of infection and affect the ink's vibrancy.

Can you overwash a new tattoo?

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.

When can I start using regular lotion on my tattoo?

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.

How long after a tattoo can I shower on Reddit?

2 weeks is a pretty safe time frame, unless it is clearly still flaking or you're having a difficult heal.

When can I stop washing my tattoo?

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.

How long after a tattoo can I workout?

A minimum of two days and as much as a few weeks are generally recommended to hold off on more moderate and intense activity. Yet even yoga and other low-intensity exercises could be in risky territory if they lead to friction, sweating, or stretching the tattoo.

How long after a tattoo can you shower?

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. When you do shower, try to minimize direct contact with the tattooed area and limit its exposure to water.

Will hair grow over a tattoo?

As your fresh new ink heals, you'll find that hair does grow over tattoos. This is down to the fact that your tattoo artist has marked the dermis, which is the same layer of skin that your hair follicles are located in.

What are the stages of tattoo healing?

While there's some variability to the healing process, generally, there are three broad stages of tattoo healing:
  • Inflammation (Days 1-3) ...
  • Visible recovery (Days 4-14) ...
  • Invisible recovery (Days 14-30) ...
  • On the day. ...
  • 1-48 hours. ...
  • 48hrs – 14 days. ...
  • The sun. ...
  • Scented soap.

How to speed up tattoo healing?

7 Hacks To Help Heal Your New Tattoo
  1. Relax and Stay Calm. First things first, relax. ...
  2. Say No to Re-Bandaging. ...
  3. Let Your Tattoo Breathe—No Picking Allowed. ...
  4. Avoid Baths, Pools, and Hot Tubs. ...
  5. Stay Out of the Sun (For Now) ...
  6. Embrace Healthy Lifestyle Habits.

How long until a tattoo is not an open wound?

At this stage, the layer of skin underneath the tattoo is just about fully formed. The dead skin on top will flake away naturally, along with some of the tattoo ink that was embedded. By the end of the second week, you should see your open wound transition to a closed wound.

What stage of tattoo is itchy?

Stage Two (Days 7-14) – Itching and flaking begins, and this continues until layers of dead skin and scabs have fallen off. 3. Stage Three (Days 15-30) – Tattoo looks fully healed but may look slightly cloudy for a few weeks. Deeper layers of skin are still repairing, so continue to look after your tattoo.

What tattoo color lasts the longest?

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.

Does tattoo peeling remove ink?

Does a tattoo's color come back after peeling? Generally speaking, the waxy white flakes of peeling skin don't have much ink in them. The ink is actually in the deeper layer, so once the peeling is done you should see the original color.

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