The first 48 hours after getting a new tattoo are the most critical for its healing and long-term appearance. As someone who has been through this exciting stage multiple times, I know how important it is to follow proper instructions from a licensed artist. During this pivotal moment, your skin is essentially an open wound, which involves careful planning and immediate aftercare. Start by cleaning your tattoo gently as directed, and avoid touching it unnecessarily to reduce the risk of infection. Treat it as a piece of body art that needs proper care to achieve the best result.
The tricks to a smooth recovery are easy to follow when you stay focused on the universal truths of tattoo healing. Keep the area covered for the first few hours and closely monitor any changes. Use high-quality products that your artist recommends to keep the tattoo healthy and nasty issues at bay. Over the next two days, your focus should be on protecting the ink while it settles into the skin. This essential phase not only ensures proper healing but also keeps the design as vibrant as your original vision. Remember, this isn’t just any art—it’s a personal statement that deserves the best care possible.
Read More About How to prepare for a Tattoo?
Bandaging and Protecting Your New Tattoo
After your tattoo session, the artist may apply an ointment and cover your skin with a bandage. During the healing phase, the tattoo becomes highly prone to infection, so it’s important to keep the wrap on for as long as your tattooist recommends. Depending on the technique and materials used, this may range from just a few hours to several days. While some prefer the traditional plastic film, others opt for advanced alternatives that offer better breathability and lock in ink and plasma effectively.
In recent years, the introduction of tattoo patches has simplified the aftercare experience. These innovative solutions can last for 24 to 48 hours or even longer, depending on the tattooist’s advice. Designed to combat bacteria, dirt, and airborne particles, these patches reduce issues related to improper bandaging. Their soft, disinfected material contains a hydrogel matrix that moisturizes the skin and locks in its natural moisture. This ensures the area remains clean, hydrated, and protected, delivering nourishing properties in those critical early hours to keep your new tattoo safe and looking its best.
Keeping Your Tattoo Clean and Healthy
Start by ensuring your hands are clean before you wash your tattoo with fragrance-free soap and water. This routine will be part of your day for the next week, so get comfortable with the process now. Use an antibacterial soap and soft paper towels to gently pat the area dry after each cleaning. For the first day or two, frequency matters—cleaning three times daily is ideal. A lighter touch is better for your skin, helping to prevent infection and keep your ink in the best condition as it heals.
Your skin might feel sensitive during this time, so be gentle and have patience. After washing, let the area have some air before applying a soothing product like Mad Rabbit’s gel, which is safe to use in the initial 48 hours. With some experience, you’ll discover the perfect balance of cleaning, drying, and moisturizing that produces the best results for your tattoo and skin type.
After those initial several hours, here are some key things to remember in those first 48 hours with your new ink:
Managing Irritation and Avoiding Itching
While your skin may feel irritated after getting a tattoo, it’s crucial to resist itching, scratching, or picking at the area. These actions can cause scarring and worsen the irritation, delaying the healing process. Be patient—we know you’re excited to show off your tattoo, but trust that the results will be worth it. Beneath the top layer of skin, the tattooed area is generating new cells, and soon, flaking and tiny scabs will start to form. At this peak stage, you’ll need to exercise willpower to avoid scratching.
Although itching may not be a major concern in the first 24 to 48 hours, it will become noticeable over the next week. When your tattoo looks dry or flaky, apply lotion and follow proper aftercare tips instead of giving in to the urge to scratch. A combination of moisturizing and air-dry methods will help keep the area healthy while ensuring your tattoo heals perfectly.
Protecting Your Tattoo from Sun Damage
The sun can cause serious damage to your skin and make tattoos fade, so it’s essential to cover your tattoo with clothes when you go outside. Avoid using sunblock products until your tattoo is fully healed. For the first few days, simply focus on keeping your ink away from direct sunlight and UV rays, as they can be particularly harmful to your fresh tattoo.
Since a tattoo is essentially an open wound in the first days, it’s important to keep your skin covered to avoid sunburn or potential damage. Once your tattoo is fully healed, apply a proven SPF sunscreen to protect your ink from UV rays and keep it looking vibrant for years to come.
Avoiding Water Exposure and Promoting Healing
During the first 48 hours, it’s crucial to avoid too much contact with water. Showers are perfectly fine to keep your tattoo clean, but skip the swim in the ocean or pool to prevent damage to your ink. If you need to relieve pain or itch, use a soothing gel to repair your skin and promote proper healing, ensuring airflow to the tattoo.
While a light rinse in the shower is helpful for keeping your tattoo clean and healing correctly, soaking in the bath can cause more harm than good. As with swimming in a hot tub or the ocean, it’s best to skip soothing baths for a few weeks until the majority of the healing process has occurred.
Clothing Tips to Promote Proper Healing
During the first two days of the tattoo healing process, it’s important to minimize any rubbing or irritation on the affected area. Tight-fitting clothing is one of the main culprits as it can restrict airflow and disrupt the natural progress of healing. Even comfortable and soft materials can cause issues if they are too tight, so choose loose-fitting garments whenever possible.
If you’re spending time at home, less clothing is ideal. Wear a tank top to keep arm tattoos air dry and clean, or opt for shorts or underwear if you have leg tattoos that need time to heal. Depending on the placement and size of your new ink, you might need to rethink your strategy, but with a little planning, you can stay comfortable the whole time your tattoo is healing.
Avoiding Intense Workouts for Proper Healing
Fitness enthusiasts may be disappointed to learn that they should skip intense workouts during the first 48 hours after getting tattooed. The affected area remains sensitive, and the risk of infection increases due to sweat and bacteria from the gym or outdoor areas.
Instead of pushing your physical limits, allow your body to heal during this crucial time. Focus on fueling up with high-quality nutrition, staying hydrated, and avoiding alcohol to give your body the best chance to heal properly. Once this phase is over, you can resume your fitness routine a few days later.
Healing and Aftercare Beyond the First Days
We all know the saying that tattoos need a chance to breathe or they may not heal properly. During the first 48 hours, it’s crucial to allow your tattoo to rest. You can use a gentle soothing gel to assist in the restoration process of your new ink. Healing times vary from person to person, as every tattoo has its own timeline based on size, detail, and how your body heals.
But the tattoo aftercare doesn’t end here. While the first 48 hours and the following week are critical to a successful healing process, tattoo aftercare should become part of your daily routines. Be patient, and remember to care for your ink throughout its healing journey.
Conclusion
The first 48 hours of tattoo care are crucial for proper healing and avoiding complications. During this time, it’s important to follow the right steps, such as keeping the tattoo clean, protecting it from excessive moisture, and allowing it to breathe. Be patient and avoid common mistakes like scratching, excessive water contact, or direct sunlight exposure. As your tattoo continues to heal, using a gentle soothing gel and maintaining good aftercare will help promote a smooth recovery. Remember, tattoo healing is a personal process that varies from person to person, so always listen to your body and follow your tattoo artist’s instructions closely for the best results. Stay consistent with your aftercare and your tattoo will look vibrant for years to come.
FAQs
What should you do in the first 48 hours after getting a tattoo?
In the first 48 hours, keep your tattoo clean, dry, and covered with a protective bandage. Avoid direct sunlight, excessive moisture, and tight clothing. Follow your artist’s aftercare instructions closely to prevent infection and promote proper healing.
What should a new tattoo look like after 2 days?
After two days, your tattoo may appear slightly red, swollen, and sensitive, with some initial scabbing or flaking. It should still be healing, and it’s important to avoid itching or picking at the tattoo.
What should I do in the first 24 hours of getting a tattoo?
In the first 24 hours, keep the tattoo clean and avoid touching it with dirty hands. Apply any ointment or soothing gel as recommended by your artist and keep the tattoo covered with a bandage. Avoid swimming and excessive moisture.
Can you do two tattoo sessions in two days?
It’s generally not recommended to get two tattoo sessions in two days, as the skin needs time to heal between sessions. Getting multiple tattoos in such a short time can lead to excessive irritation and may impact the healing process.
