Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage. Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water and be sure to pat dry. Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don't put on another bandage.
After usually no less than 5 hours, it is safe to remove the bandage and wash the tattoo. After thorough hand-washing, a person can gently wash the tattoo with hypoallergenic soap and warm water using their fingers.
Do not scrub or use a towel, only use your hand to gently rub. If there are hardened scabs, do not pick at them, they will fall off on their own. You'll know you're done washing when the tattoo no longer feels slippery.
Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap to gently remove any ointment, blood, and plasma and to completely clean the area. Provon Antimicrobial Lotion Soap is a good choice; it's a mild moisturizing cleanser specifically made for piercing and tattoo care.
You can leave your original bandage on for between 3 and 24 hours. The timing will depend on how much your tattoos leak blood, plasma, and ink (which is completely normal). Within the first 24 hours, you'll want to clean, moisturize, and reapply a new, clean bandage.
If you had your tattoo completed earlier in the day, there is an increased chance that it was exposed to possible bacteria, irritants, or other debris. Therefore, you should wash it the first night.
You'll want to keep the tattoo wrapped for at least the first night because it will take a while for it to settle down and stop leaking. You don't want an open wound like that touching your bed sheets, getting blood everywhere, or dirt and dust getting into the wound itself.
Many artists will recommend using a specialized tattoo bandage, and keep it on for the first few nights (up to 3-4). This protects it from bacteria, your sheets, and accidental picking or ripping of the scabs.
So what product should you use? You may have heard some rumours that Bepanthen shouldn't be used on new tattoos, but this absolutely isn't the case. Bepanthen is by far one of the most highly recommended tattoo aftercare products and is the go-to ointment for most tattoo artists and studios.
Instead, choose a mild, fragrance-free soap and gently wash the tattooed area with your hand, avoiding excessive rubbing or scrubbing. Pat dry: After showering, pat the tattooed area dry with a clean, soft towel. Avoid rubbing the tattoo, as this can irritate the skin and potentially damage the ink.
Among all the questions we get about the washing process of a new tattoo, there's one that stands out from the rest: How often should you wash your new tattoo? Generally, it is recommended that you wash your tattoo around 2-3 times a day until it is completely healed, which can take several months.
Here's how often you should wash your new tattoo: For the first time, within 5–24 hours of getting it. At least daily until it's completely healed – ideally twice-daily. Each time your tattoo becomes contaminated with dirt or bacteria.
Make sure you remove all traces of blood, ointment and secretions. Wash until the area feels “squeaky clean”. Do not use a washcloth, loofah, or scrubby on your tattoo while it is healing, use only your clean hands, soap, and water. Pat the tattoo dry with a clean soft cloth or paper towel, do not rub 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.
Drunken behaviour could ruin your new tattoo
You need to be aware of keeping your tattoo clean and dry while it is fresh, so a night out might not be the best option. It's generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours after your new tattoo before you start drinking alcohol again.
Use a soft towel to dab the tattoo dry after taking a shower
Rather than that, you should dab it dry or better yet just let it air dry if possible. You may see a little bit of blood coming out from the tattoo, which is fine, just gently clean it.
Do not use Savlon, Sudacrem, Bepanthen or any other creams that contain Lanolin or (Liquid)Paraffin on your new tattoo. These creams are not suitable for use on tattoos as they are too thick and can block the pores in the skin, potentially causing an infection.
You should apply Bepanthen Tattoo Intense Care Ointment up to four times a day as part of your personal skincare routine. Follow your tattoo artist's advice for how to best care for your tattooed skin.
Wash the tattoo with soap and water once the appropriate time period has passed and gently apply a layer of lotion.7 It's best to wash and moisturize a couple of times each day until the skin has healed, which might take anywhere from two to four weeks.8 However, it's best to check in with your tattoo artist, who may ...
Specific tattoo ointments are required. Change your bedsheets and use old sheets for sleeping. It's not unusual for some seeping to take place. If your tattoo comes in touch with the sheets then you can ruin your bedsheets, ink is not designed to wash out.
You don't need to wash the tattoo immediately after waking up in the morning. Avoid getting the tattoo wet as much as possible. This will allow the skin to dry and as a result of which the tattoo will heal better. Be sure to properly moisturize the tattoo when you wake up each day after getting a new tattoo.
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.
Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage. Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water and be sure to pat dry. Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don't put on another bandage.
Drink a lot of water during the week; avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before getting tattooed. Please do not shave the area; we will do it for you at your appointment. Avoid aspirin or blood thinning medication at least 24 hours before your tattoo; ibuprofen, acetaminophen, & other NSAID pain relievers are OK.
First Day/Night
Keep the bandage on for a minimum of 6 hours. We recommend keeping it on overnight provided the dressing feels comfortable and secure. If you decide to remove the bandage before going to sleep, follow the instructions in the next section to properly remove the bandage and clean your tattoo.