How Often Should You Wash A New Tattoo – Keeping Your Ink Clean 2023

Let’s face it, most people know it’s not a good idea to go swimming in a public pool or roll around in the mud with a new tattoo. However, do you know how to properly care for your tattoo after it involves things like washing?

Now, that’s another story! Countless people with good intentions make mistakes.

In addition to avoiding external contamination and sources of bacteria, post-treatment care mistakes are made in three main places: Bandaging, washing and moisturizing. Luckily, the process of mastering those three things is extremely easy once you know how to handle them.

In the guide below, you’ll find everything you need to know about how often to wash a new tattoo. If you end up looking for more advice, don’t worry. I’ll include another giant tutorial below that I’m sure you’ll love!

Let’s start with the first step.

1. Remove the bandage properly.

Bandage or plastic wrap; Chances are your tattoo artist used one of those two before kicking you out the door. Before washing a new flesh wound, you will have to remove it.

Unfortunately, one of the biggest aftercare mistakes people make is removing the bandage without taking into account the amount of time that has passed. Often it is removed too early for those who want to clear the new ink immediately or too late for those who completely forget about it.

In fact, you should wait a minimum of four to five hours before removing the initial bandage. Take note of the word minimum here as it is quite important. The truth is that 8 hours is just enough. Of course, if you can maintain it longer, the results will be better.

Regardless of whether you choose to remove the bandage within 4, 8, or even 12 hours, you should always remove the bandage within 24 hours. Don’t wait too long and forget!

2. How often should you wash a new tattoo?

When removing the bandage, you must follow the following schedule:

Wash your new tattoo every few hours for 3 days. Meaning: Wash, dry and apply ointment.

Remember to use hot water (the hotter the better), and yes, I know it can be quite annoying. Go over your flesh wound with (Squeaky clean) fingertips and soapy water. Personally, I like soaps like Dial and Hibiclens, but other brands will work well as long as they’re fragrance-free.

It is important to loosen dry lymph and clotted blood. Remember you’re not scrubbing like a crazy person here; Absolutely avoid using any type of towel, washcloth or sponge. When you’re done rinsing, dry your skin with a new paper towel or a clean, freshly laundered, soft cloth. Remember, your old towels are full of bacteria!

To complete the process, apply an ointment like Tattoo Goo, which is petroleum-free and uses natural healing herbs to soothe your skin. After the first 3 days, switch to washing 2-3 times/day. Stop using the ointment and switch to a lotion/moisturizer.

See the Top 9 Best Skin Creams for Tattoos Here.

Choose a fragrance-free product like Lubriderm Daily Moisture Fragrance Free. Apply in small amounts if needed, but avoid overuse. Continue using lotion/moisturizer for approx. 25 days.

During that time your skin will begin to peel. Relax, this is normal and includes colorful patches of skin peeling off. By the end of the process, you’ll notice your new tattoo has a shiny, waxy tone.

At this time, apply lotion/moisturizer only as needed. Why? Because your body no longer has flesh wounds. The scratch has healed. However, when I say healed, I do not mean completely healed! It can take at least six weeks for a new tattoo to heal completely.

3. Are you new to tattoo aftercare?

Trust me, you can really benefit from reading the definitive tattoo care and healing process guide.

In it, I present everything in a much more specific and detailed way. Of course, you can always check out my list of the top 50 new tattoo care tips.

Categories: Tattoos
Source: Tekmonk Bio