Why cleaning and washing a new tattoo is good, but soaking is bad…

It’s important for your tattoo to be cleaned up a few hours after getting it done. This is because all those tiny needle puncture holes your tattooist made on your skin will be oozing various fluids, like blood, plasma, and excess tattoo ink. If you don’t clean and wash it up, it’s going to be the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which will lead to infection.

The right way to wash a new tattoo

To wash a brand-new tattoo, use warm water and mild, antibacterial, non-perfumed soap to remove the gunk that has accumulated on your skin. Alternatively, if you don’t have access to clean, running water, you can use antibacterial wipes. Make sure you use one wipe for every swipe, so the dirty stuff don’t go back into the wound!

If you want to hit two birds with one stone, you can take a quick 5-minute shower whilst cleaning the tattoo at the same time! This way you’re not only getting the tattoo clean, but also your whole body as well. To avoid skin reactions, use mild soap and shampoo that do not contain artificial fragrances and colour.

Cleaning an oozing tattoo should be done with your clean, bare hands. Don’t use loofahs, sponges, or any other cleaning accessory as these can harbour germs and bacteria. And when drying, you can either let it air dry or pat it dry with kitchen roll.

Bathing is a different story

I know lying in a tub is way more comfortable than standing up in the shower. But water in a tub does get stagnant, which means all the dirt, dust, germs, bacteria, fluids, and other gross things from your body will be swimming in that tiny tub.

And your exposed tattoo? Well, it will be a prime target for the dirty stuff to get into! So, yes, the probability of getting your new ink infected whilst bathing will be off the charts.

But what about swimming?

Well, swimming is technically the same as bathing – you’ll be soaking your tattoo in water. And whether you’re thinking of swimming in a pool or a natural body of water (seawater, river, lake), the effect on your ink will be the same.

Let’s break down the differences between swimming in a pool and a natural body of water:

Most, if not all, swimming pools have chlorine in them to keep them clean and sanitised. Without chlorine, you’d be literally swimming in a pool of germs and bacteria. That said, while chlorine’s obvious importance can’t be understated, it does have a bad effect on unhealed tattoos.

You’ve probably experienced this first-hand when swimming in a pool. When you get off the pool, you’ll notice your skin – and your hair – is super dry. This is because chlorine is naturally harsh and will strip your skin of its natural oils.

So, if you’ve got an unhealed tattoo, you can expect it to dry out as well. Chances are it will also irritate the skin and make it itch – and doing so won’t bode well for your ink.

Now, when it comes to swimming in the ocean, rivers, lakes, and other natural bodies of water…

Obviously, there’s no chlorine in such waters. So, there’ll be an abundance of infection-causing bacteria (and creatures) ready to pounce as soon as your skin touches water!  This is true for both freshwater and saltwater. Additionally, seawater’s salinity can also dry out and irritate your skin even if you just go for a quick dip in the ocean.

There are so many ways for your tattoo to get infected when swimming. The risks just aren’t worth it. It’s better to stay out of the water and save your ink!

How soon can you go bathing or swimming with a new tattoo?

By now, you know just how detrimental to the tattoo healing process bathing and swimming is. The good news is you don’t have to wait forever to get back into the water! In fact, in just 2-3 weeks, you can already fill up your tub with water and soak to your heart’s content.

To better understand the timeframe, let me give you a quick walkthrough of the tattoo healing process.

Stage 1: Your tattoo will be sore and weeping at this point. Quick showers are okay. Wash the tattoo a couple of times to day to remove gunk, and apply a thin layer of healing ointment for protection. Absolutely no bathing or swimming.

Stage 2: Your tattoo will be scabbing now. No need to clean and wash the tattoo frequently, a once-daily cleaning during your morning shower is fine. Start moisturising with non-perfumed lotion but only apply a thin layer. Still no bathing or swimming.

We highly recommend After Inked vegan tattoo aftercare lotion for this stage and beyond.

Stage 3: Your tattoo will be peeling right about now. Continue applying moisturiser to the area. Still no bathing or swimming, but you’re nearly there.

Stage 4: Your tattoo is now healed on the surface, and you now get the green signal to soak your skin in water! Bathing and swimming are now okay, but don’t forget to continue moisturising the tattoo as part of your daily aftercare.

What about waterproof tattoo bandages? Are they fine to use?

There are products known as second skin tattoo bandages. These are breathable (allows skin to breathe) and waterproof (don’t let water in). Manufacturers say it’s fine to leave on skin for up to 3-5 days, so you can definitely shower with it on.

Inksafe’s Tattoo Protection Film is a good example:

However, bathing and swimming are a different story. Soaking these waterproof bandages isn’t a good idea because the adhesive that makes the bandage stick to your skin can easily weaken. And that will leave your tattoo wide open to the elements.

So, the answer is no, these waterproof bandages aren’t designed for soaking, but should be fine for a quick rinse in the shower. 

Conclusion

I know how icky it feels if you’re dirty for too long. Fortunately, you don’t need to stay away from water just because you got inked. Washing your tattoo with soap and water, and showering are all perfectly fine. Just don’t attempt bathing and swimming if you don’t want to ruin that fresh, new art on your skin!   

So, in this article, we’ll do our best to sort this whole thing out. You’ll learn everything about tattoo wrapping – the do’s and don’ts, and all the little details that will help you take better care of your new ink!

Why tattooists wrap freshly done tattoos

An artist wrapping his fresh handiwork (Photo by Angie Torres)

There’s a lot of reasons why professional tattooists wrap their brand-new work in sterile bandages or cling film:

Firstly, they may be required by law to do so. Obviously, rules vary by country, state, province, city. A licensed tattooist will know what his legal and moral obligations are.

Secondly, the wrap/film/bandage serves as a physical skin barrier. It protects your ultra-fresh, open wound (your tattoo IS an open wound) from dust, germs, bacteria, smoke, pet hair, and other contaminants.

Thirdly, it protects your all-too-tender skin from knocks, bumps and all sorts of physical contact in your surroundings.

How long should the initial wrap be on?

There’s a lot of conflicting information out there on the web. Some may say to leave it on for an hour or two – just enough time to get home, peel off the wrap and wash it. Other tattooists will tell you to leave it on overnight (that means sleeping with the cling film on). Then, in the morning, wash it with warm water and mild soap.  

So, which is correct?

Well, it really depends on your tattooist. Since there is no standard aftercare advice, your tattooist is the authority you should listen to. Their aftercare advice is rooted in personal experience, client experience, and their colleagues’ experiences.

Now, no true professional will ever give you bad advice. This is because the tattooing industry is a relatively small one. Most artists rely on word-of-mouth advertising to get new clients. The better their tattoos look, the happier their clients are, and the more likely they’ll be to recommend their tattooist to their friends. It’s a win-win, all around.

Again, while the tattoo wrapping – and aftercare – information out there may be conflicting, your tattooist will have your best interests at heart. You are their walking portfolio, after all.

So, to answer the question, keep your tattoo wrapped in cling film for however long your tattooist tells you to.

Should you re-wrap your tattoo on your own?

Tattooed man covering his face with his hands (Photo by Steven Erixon)

Earlier in this article, you learned why tattooists wrap their fresh work at the studio. But when you take that initial wrap off, is it safe to put another one on? Well, it really depends on a few things:

• Where do you plan on putting on the new wrap? Is it a clean environment?
• Do you have impeccable personal hygiene and sanitation?
• How experienced are you with tattoos? Is this your first, second, third, or nth time?

As you can see, hygiene and sanitation are important when it comes to re-wrapping tattoos on your own.

At the tattoo studio, it’s a different environment. First of all, it’s purposely sterile – everything is literally covered in disposable plastic wrap to protect clients and tattooist(s) alike.

Secondly, a professional will take great care to clean the tattoo before the wrap is placed; this ensures no bacteria gets trapped underneath.

Now, the question is, can you replicate the same sterile environment at home?

If yes, then feel free to go ahead and re-wrap your tattoo. Otherwise, you may be better off following other aftercare methods, such as dry healing and using healing ointment to protect the area.

What to wrap your new tattoo with

Most tattooists use protective cling film for their fresh handiwork. However, when re-wrapping, it’s best to use something that will at least let the skin breathe. Oxygen is essential to wound healing, so we recommend airing it out as often as possible. That said, these are some of the most effective products you can use to wrap your new ink with:

Breathable tattoo protection film

We recommend Inksafe’s tattoo protection film. It’s a transparent, waterproof bandage perfect for use on healing tattoos. This type of film is also known as ‘second skin tattoo bandage’ because it acts like a second layer of skin on top of your tattoo!

The product pictured above is 10 meters in length – perfect if you’ve got a relatively large, fresh tatt. It’s safe to leave this on the skin for up to 4-5 days; this is because the film allows the skin to breathe. Some users say they had no issues taking a quick shower with the film on – it stayed perfectly in place!

Cheesecloth

In addition to cheesemaking, you can use cheesecloth as a bandage for healing wounds, including tattoos. KitchenCraft’s Home Made Cheesecloth is fairly comfortable, so it’s not going to pull at your skin or any growing hairs in the area. It’s also washable and reusable, so a single cloth will prove to be a solid investment (although it already is quite cheap to begin with). The cloth will allow your skin to breathe, but at the same time, it will absorb the fluids from your healing tattoo, so it’s best to change the dressing once or twice daily.  

Cling film

Use cling film (for example, Caterpack’s as pictured above) as a last resort. Usually, this type of material is made with plastic, which means it won’t allow air to get in or out of the wound. If kept on the skin for too long, it can create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, especially if the area wasn’t thoroughly cleaned before the film was put on. If you do use cling film, make it a point to change every 3-4 hours to keep the area clean – and to let some air in from time to time.

How to re-wrap a tattoo on your own

Alright, if you’ve got a clean place to do the wrapping, then here’s what you need to do to re-wrap on your own.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly first. Then avoid touching anything else that may get your hands dirty again.
2. Wash the tattoo with warm water and mild, non-perfumed soap to wash all the gunk away.
3. Let the area air-dry. Or, pat dry with kitchen roll or clean cloth (do not rub).
4. Once the tattoo is dry and clean, apply the wrap carefully making sure it covers the entire tattoo.
5. Depending on the wrap used, you may need to use an adhesive or tape to keep it steady. Add an extra inch or two for allowance, so no pressure is applied to the still-tender area. This also allows the oozing gunk to move off the tattoo.

Now, if you need help with the wrapping (say, your tattoo is at a hard-to-reach spot), make sure your friend washes their hands as well.

How long should you keep your tattoo re-wrapped?

Well, it truly depends on the kind of wrap used. If you use cling film (it doesn’t let the air in), then you’d definitely need to let it breathe often. In this case, you’d need to change the wrap every 4-6 hours or so. For other wraps like sterile bandage, gauze, cheesecloth, and breathable tattoo films, then a once-daily change may be fine.

Note, however, that for some brands of breathable tattoo protection films, manufacturers claim it’s okay to leave the film on for up to 4-5 days. So, check the label for instructions. If unsure, speak with your tattooist.

Should you wrap your tattoo for work?

This is a tricky question. It really depends on the nature of your work. If you work a white-collar job, that is, in an office environment, then wrapping your tattoo may not be necessary. However, if you work in a kitchen, garage, farm, and similar blue-collar jobs, then re-wrapping may be necessary, especially if your work environment is not suitable for a healing tattoo. 

How to take off a tattoo bandage

Very, very carefully. Some tattoo wraps may be a bit difficult to remove. And if you’re not careful, the film may stick to the skin and draw some ink out. If this happens, you can try removing the film under flowing, warm water. This will hopefully make the removal a much less worrying experience. Remember, make sure your hands are clean before you attempt to remove the bandage.

When to re-wrap your tattoo?

You can re-wrap if necessary (Photo by Matheus Ferrero)

Sometimes, re-wrapping becomes a necessity and not just a tattoo healing option. Here are a few scenarios where you may need to re-wrap to protect your ink:

Sleeping

Sleeping in a new tattoo can actually be done without re-wrapping it. However, you’d need to take a few precautions. This is so the area doesn’t get infected and the gunk doesn’t ooze into your clothes, bedsheets, etc. If you think this is way more trouble than it’s worth, consider re-wrapping or re-bandaging your tattoo.  

Wearing clothes that will rub against the tattoo

When at home, wear loose clothing to allow your tattoo to breathe. However, if you need to go to work and your work clothes are going to rub on the area, then it’s best to cover it up for protection.

When in a dirty environment

As much as possible avoid going to filthy places. Protect your tattoo especially while the needle wounds are still open and oozing.  

When anticipating contact

If you get tattooed in an area that gets lots of contact, e.g. your hands and arms, then a sterile bandage may better protect the ink and keep your tattoo away from infection. For instance, when playing sports, you may get more than just a few bumps and knocks, so tattoo protection should be taken into account.  

When should you stop wrapping your tattoo?

The best time to stop wrapping your tattoo is when it finally stops weeping and/or starts scabbing. This means the needle puncture holes would have closed up and there’s less chance for bacteria to enter and infect your tattoo. However, if you still want to protect the scabs, i.e. keep them from getting ripped off prematurely, then putting a sterile dressing on top should be fine.

Conclusion

Tattoo wrapping (or re-wrapping) is best done under sterile conditions. You’re doing it to protect your new ink and, of course, speed up the healing process. Do it right, and you need not worry about getting your tattoo infected.