Tattoo Care First 48 Hours: What to do in the First 24-48 Hours of Getting a Tattoo


The tattoo care steps you take in the first 48 hours after getting your tattoo can make or break the success of the tattoo and how well it heals. Here are tattoo care tips for the first 24-48 hours you need to know!

Make sure your tattoo artist applies a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage or clingfilm to your new tattoo for the first 24 to 48 hours. After twenty-four hours, take off the bandage. Be cautious to wash the tattoo with antibacterial soap and water and pat it dry. Instead of applying a new bandage, apply an antimicrobial ointment like Vaseline twice daily.

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1. Tattoo care starts with keeping your new tattoo clean. Gently wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap and cool water. Do this 3-5 times a day for the first few days.

2. Apply a thin layer of tattoo aftercare ointment or lotion. We recommend using a Tattoo Aftercare product like Hush Anesthetic Healing Gel or a Tattoo lotion like Aquaphor ointment as it will help keep your tattoo lubricated and moist which is key for proper healing. Apply the aftercare ointment or lotion 3-5 times per day for the first few days.

3. Keep your tattoo out of the sun. Tattoos need to heal and the sun will damage your new tattoo and make it harder for your tattoo to heal properly.

4. Drink plenty of water. Drinking lots of water helps to keep your body hydrated, which is important for proper healing.

5. Avoid hot tubs, pools, saunas, and lakes for at least 2 weeks. Tubs, pools, and saunas can introduce bacteria into your newly healed tattoo and cause an infection.

6. Listen to your artist’s aftercare instructions and advice. Each artist has a specific way they recommend taking care of a new tattoo, so be sure to listen to their advice.

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If you have any questions or concerns about your new tattoo, don’t hesitate to reach out to your artist or a medical professional.

Following these simple Tattoo Caring tips for the first 48 hours will help ensure that your tattoo heals properly and looks its best!

What to do in the first 24 hours

Clean the tattoo with soap and water: Keeping your tattoo clean is the most important thing you can do for proper healing. Tattoos need to be kept clean to prevent infection and to help the tattoo heal properly. Gently wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap and cool water 3-5 times a day for the first few days.

Apply aftercare ointment or lotion: Applying a thin layer of tattoo aftercare ointment or lotion will help keep your tattoo lubricated and moist, which is key for proper healing. Apply the aftercare ointment or lotion 3-5 times per day for the first few days.

Keep your tattoo out of the sun: Tattoos need to heal; the sun will damage your new tattoo and make it harder for your tattoo to heal properly.

Apply a bandage or Tattoo Goo: Bandaging your tattoo will help protect it from infection and will keep the area clean. Be sure to use a sterile Tattoo Goo or Tattoo Aftercare bandage. Apply the Tattoo Goo or Aftercare bandage according to the instructions on the package.

Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight: Direct sunlight soon after getting your tattoo can damage the tattoo and make it harder for it to heal properly.

Keep the tattoo dry: Tattoos need to be kept dry to heal properly. Avoid soaking your tattoo in water, such as taking a bath, swimming, or showering for at least 2 weeks.

Don’t pick or scratch your tattoo: Picking or scratching your tattoo can introduce bacteria into the healing wound and cause an infection. If your tattoo starts to itch, gently tap the area with your fingers instead of scratching it.

Don’t apply makeup to your tattoo: Applying makeup to your Tattoo can introduce bacteria into the healing wound and cause an infection. If you must cover your Tattoo while it heals, use a tattoo concealer.

What to do in the second 24 hours

Your next 24 hours after getting your new tattoo are just as important as the first 24 hours. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Continue to clean your tattoo: Gently wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap and cool water 3-5 times a day.

Apply aftercare ointment or lotion: Continue to apply a thin layer of tattoo aftercare ointment or lotion 3-5 times per day.

Keep your tattoo out of the sun: Tattoos need to heal; the sun will damage your new tattoo and make it harder for your tattoo to heal properly.

Remove the bandage or Tattoo Goo and clean the tattoo again: Soon after the first 24 hours have passed from when you got your tattoo, you will need to remove the Tattoo Goo or Aftercare bandage. Be sure to gently wash the tattoo again with antibacterial soap and cool water before reapplying a new Tattoo Goo or a fresh Aftercare bandage.

Keep the tattoo clean and dry: Avoid soaking your tattoo in water, such as taking a bath, swimming, or showering, for at least 1-2 weeks.

Don’t pick or scratch your tattoo: Picking or scratching your tattoo can introduce bacteria into the healing wound and cause an infection. If your tattoo starts to itch, gently tap the area with your fingers instead of scratching it.

Don’t apply makeup to your tattoo: Applying makeup to your Tattoo can introduce bacteria into the

What to do after 48 hours

After 48 hours, continue cleaning the tattoo with soap and water as needed. Avoid letting the tattoo dry out by applying a Tattoo Aftercare lotion or cream 3-5 times a day.

Don’t swim, bathe, or go in hot tubs for at least 2 weeks after getting a tattoo. These activities can irritate the tattoo and slow down the healing process.

Keep the tattoo in a shaded area: The sun’s UV rays can harm the tattoo and make it harder for it to heal properly. Do not pick or scratch your tattoo.

Picking or scratching your tattoo might introduce germs into the healing wound, resulting in an infection. If your tattoo begins to itch, instead of scratching it gently tap the region with your fingertips.

Don’t put makeup on top of your tattoo. If you are going to use makeup in the area of your tattoo, cover the tattoo first with a Tattoo Aftercare lotion or cream.

The tattoo healing process

It takes about 2 weeks for a Tattoo to heal on the surface of the skin. But it can take up to 6 months for the Tattoo to fully heal. Once healed, you should still avoid exposing your Tattoo to direct sunlight and other harsh chemicals as they can damage the Tattoo.

If you have any questions or concerns about your Tattoo, be sure to speak with your Tattoo Artist or Doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my tattoo wet after 48 hours?

It has been recommended by tattoo artists that you should not go in the water, which means that you should not place the tattoo in water until your tattoo has healed.

Another piece of advice that tattoo artists give is that you should not allow the tattoo to stay wet for a long amount of time. You should pat dry it and make sure that it has dried and the water has been absorbed by the tissue or towel.

Can I leave my tattoo uncovered after 2 days?

Depending on the size of your tattoo, tattoo artists and experts recommend that you leave on the cling film placed on your tattoo by the tattoo artist until they advise it is appropriate to do so.

A general rule of thumb is that if the artwork is smaller than a fist, you may take the cling film off after 2-4 days. If the tattoo is bigger, you should leave it on for anywhere between 10-20 days.

How do you sleep with a fresh tattoo?

You should leave the cling film wrapped on the tattoo and avoid applying pressure to that part of the body where the tattoo is. Before sleeping you can apply a healing ointment and then wrap cling film on the tattoo.

This process will help speed up the time it takes for your tattoo to heal. You should also avoid scratching or touching the cling film as you may scratch the cling film and the tattoo leading to infections.

Conclusion

A tattoo is a life-long investment and caring for it is easy if you follow the steps listed in the article and your tattoo will stay looking new and healthy.

To recap, Make sure your tattoo artist applies a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage or clingfilm to your new tattoo for the first 24 to 48 hours. After twenty-four hours, take off the bandage. Avoid submersion in water and pat dry if wet.

Also Read:

Nivea Extended Moisture Tattoo Care Lotion vs Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion

Can you use Lubriderm on your tattoo?

Can I use CeraVe on My Tattoo? (Explained)

Does Aquaphor work for tattoos? (Solved)

 

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