Getting your tattoo is always an exciting and rewarding experience. It is so exciting that aftercare is sometimes an afterthought. Wrapping your tattoo is an integral part of that proper aftercare. Knowing how long and when you should cover your tattoo plays a large role in effective aftercare. So, how long should I have my tattoo wrapped?
Keep your tattoo wrapped for hours after leaving the tattoo shop. If using protective tattoo film instead of plastic foil, keep the wrap on for days. We know that many questions may arise during this process, which is why we laid out all of the necessary answers below.
Wrapping occurs once the tattoo artist has finished their work:. The wrap is meant to act as a shield from harmful bacteria and germs that can cause unwanted infections. This wrap protects your tattoo and wound until a fresh layer of new skin has grown over the area.
Knowing how long you should keep your tattoo wrapped is usually the most confusing part for people after getting a new piece. This confusion comes from the fact that each tattoo artist tends to have their own recommendation as to how long you should keep it wrapped.
In most cases, you are fine to remove your wrapping after a few hours as long as you are comfortable washing your tattoo with warm soapy water. However, it is not unusual for a tattoo artist to recommend keeping your tattoo wrapped for the first night.
If you are unsure, the best thing to do is to take the advice of your tattoo artist. The use of plastic foil is been common practice still is in the tattoo community for many years.
It was a practical and effective way to keep your tattoo protected from bacteria the first hours after leaving the studio. Not so long ago, the industry evolved for the better, and new products specifically designed for tattoo care were introduced. And that's when the first regenerative tattoo films came into the picture. Instructions: Your tattoo artist or yourself will put it on the tattooed area, then keep it on for up to 5 days.
Including but not limited to keeping the cling film in place and making sure to replace it often for the first couple of days of the tattoo healing process. If this is your first tattoo, you may be wondering what to expect as you begin the healing process. Keep in mind that a tattoo, although beautiful, is an open wound. Again, this is going to depend on the location of the tattoo and the individual's skin. You can usually expect the irritation to the skin to subside after 3 to 5 days.
You will most likely experience some scabbing and or skin peeling during the healing process. Do NOT pick at the scabs or dead skin. Doing so can damage the tattoo by removing ink and creating a faded look within the areas you picked. On average, the complete healing process takes between two and four weeks but it can vary based on the size and placement of the tattoo, the person and even the season.
The first week of the healing process is when you are at most at risk of infection, and before we get into the detailed guide, there are two crucial components worth keeping in mind:.
The first couple of days are crucial in setting up your tattoo to heal correctly. Since you need to keep your tattoo covered, cling film is going to be your new mate, so go ahead and stock up on it. Keeping your tattoo clean and adequately washed is crucial within these first three days as well. Keeping your new tattoo clean and free of germs is essential.
Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before touching your new tattoo. Then proceed to clean the area using the steps below:. Go ahead and get into a routine now, as you will need to wash your tattoo for the duration of the healing process, not just within the first few days of getting it. Depending on the size of your artwork this may be longer and your artist will let you know but a general rule of thumb is:. You should change the cling film, clean the tattoo and replace it with fresh cling film at least three times throughout the day and before going to bed.
You can use any standard cling film found at your local supermarket. For some tattoo areas, you may prefer to use micropore tape to help keep the cling film in place, and you can find this at any local pharmacy. To do this simply;. Top tip: Heading on holiday or somewhere warm? We advise you to book holidays once the healing is completed, as tattoo aftercare is even more important in warmer climates. Should this be unavoidable, you should try to keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight and change the cling film more frequently to allow your skin to breathe.
Therefore, when you are ready to remove the cling film completely, as recommended by your artist and once it has dried out you will need to start applying cream to the area. When you are ready to remove the cling film completely as recommended by your artist and once your tattoo has dried out , you will need to start applying cream to the area. Continue to apply a thin layer of cream a few times a day to help your tattoo heal and prevent it from drying out.
Yes, yes, you can. Excessive washing or even overdoing it on the cream can cause more harm than good. If you follow the instructions above, you should be well on your way to a nicely healed tattoo. You should wrap your tattoo in cling film, even while sleeping for the first couple of nights.
With proper care and handling, you can expect your tattoo to be fully healed by 4 weeks in most cases. Within the first week, you will notice that it is less vibrant, not as tender to the touch, and has slight scabbing. Wash your hands before carefully removing the bandage. Washing your hands beforehand will help prevent your tattoo from getting infected when you go to touch it.
To remove the bandage more easily, you can apply warm water to it to prevent the bandage from sticking to your skin. Pull the bandage off slowly and carefully so you don't damage your new tattoo.
Wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and antibacterial soap. Instead of soaking your tattoo in water, cup your hands together and scoop lukewarm water over it.
Use a mild, unscented liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap to rub the tattoo gently with your fingers, removing all traces of blood, plasma, or leaked ink. This will help to prevent the tattoo from scabbing too soon. Do not resume use of the items until the tattoo has healed completely.
Avoid holding the tattoo directly under the water—the stream of water from the faucet may be too harsh on your new tattoo. Let the tattoo air dry or pat it dry with a clean paper towel. While it's best to let your skin air dry after the tattoo has been cleaned, you can also use a clean, dry paper towel to gently blot the tattoo until it's dry. Avoid rubbing the tattoo with the paper towel to avoid irritating your skin.
Apply a non-scented antibacterial cream. Once your tattoo is fully dry, apply a little moisturizing ointment, preferably an all-natural aftercare, to the tattoo. Make sure to apply only a very thin layer and pat it in gently until it's absorbed by the skin. If you're not sure what kind of ointment to use, ask your tattoo artist what they recommend for your skin.
Don't use petroleum-based products, such as Vaseline or Neosporin, as these are too heavy and may clog the pores. Once your tattoo is clean and moisturized, avoid rewrapping it.
Listen to your tattoo artist's advice. Your tattoo artist will explain how you should care for your tattoo immediately after getting it, so try to follow their instructions.
The way they bandage your tattoo may be different from other tattoo artists, so take the advice they give you seriously to ensure your tattoo heals correctly.
Part 2. Wash and moisturize your tattoo daily until the scabs are gone. You should continue to wash your tattoo times a day with antibacterial soap and lukewarm water until it's fully healed. This can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the size and location of the tattoo. Continue using an unscented mild soap when washing. Avoid scratching or picking at your tattoo. As it heals, your tattoo will start to scab over, which is normal. Let the scabs dry out and fall off by themselves, and don't speed up the process by picking or scratching at the scabs.
This can cause the scabs to fall off too soon, which can leave holes or light spots on the tattoo. Keep using moisturizing ointment to combat itchiness if it is a problem.
Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight. The harsh rays of the sun may cause your skin to blister and bleach some of the colors from your tattoo. For this reason, it is best to keep your tattoo covered and away from the sun for at least 3 to 4 weeks until the initial healing is complete. Avoid soaking the tattoo in water. Until your tattoo is fully healed, don't swim in a pool or the ocean. Avoid soaking in the bathtub as well.
Exposing your tattoo to lots of water can pull the ink out of your skin and do damage to the tattoo's appearance. The water may also be carrying dirt, bacteria, or other chemicals that can infect your tattoo.
Wear clean, loose-fitting clothing to avoid irritating your tattoo. Try not to wear tight or restrictive clothing on the area with your new tattoo, especially at first.
As your tattoo heals, it will seep plasma and excess ink, which may cause the clothing to stick to the tattoo. The clothing will then be painful to remove and may rip off any freshly formed scabs. First wet the area with water, which should loosen the clothing to where it can be removed without damaging your tattoo. Tight clothing will prevent enough oxygen from getting to your tattoo, and oxygen is essential for the healing process.
Wait for your tattoo to heal before doing strenuous workouts. If the tattoo covers a large surface area or is near your joints such as elbows and knees , it may take longer to heal if the skin is forced to move around too much during physical activity. The movement will cause the skin to crack and become irritated, prolonging the healing process. Support wikiHow and unlock all samples.
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