Key Takeaways
- Maintain a good night’s sleep to facilitate the body’s healing process after getting a new tattoo. Opt for sleeping positions that minimize contact with your new tattoo to prevent friction and possible infections.
- Commit to serious tattoo aftercare by keeping the adhesive wrap on overnight for optimal protection. This safeguards it from friction, maintains hydration, and keeps potential irritants at bay.
- Make it a habit to shower and rewrap your tattoo for the first three nights after getting inked. This reduces the risk of germs or bacteria infecting your new tattoo.
- Switch out your normal bedsheet for a clean, spare one to decrease any chances of infection. In addition, regularly rotate your bed sheets to prevent further bacterial contamination.
- If your tattoo inadvertently sticks to your bed sheets during sleep, remove it by softly dabbing warm water on the sticking point.
- Please keep your pets away from your tattoo to prevent them from potentially infecting it or scratching it, which may be detrimental to the healing process.
- Traveling post-tattoo requires extra precautions: bring your clean bedding and adhere to bathing, drying, and rewrapping your tattoo regimen.
- Finally, have a pack of tattoo wipes on hand for ease of cleaning and soothing your tattoo, especially during the critical initial nights post-inking.
Getting a new tattoo can be exciting, but knowing how to take care of it is crucial, especially when it comes to sleep. The first four days are particularly critical, and adding extra pressure on the freshly tattooed skin is a definite no-no. But how do you ensure you’re sleeping right with a new tattoo?
Whether you’re a side sleeper, a restless tosser and turner, or you sleep like a rock, the size and location of your tattoo can make your nights a bit challenging. Fear not; this article is here to provide key tips and best practices on how to sleep with a new tattoo. We’ve covered you, from using sleep wedges to choosing the correct position.
Remember, a good night’s sleep is essential for your body’s recovery process. So, let’s explore how you can get that restful sleep without compromising the healing process of your new tattoo.
SLEEPING POSITIONS
Choosing the right sleeping position can be a game-changer when caring for a new tattoo. Ideally, you should sleep on your back or any part of your body that keeps the tattooed area untouched. Avoiding direct contact with the tattoo protects it from unnecessary friction that could lead to discomfort or even impede the healing process.
There’s also the concern of sweat making the tattoo more susceptible to bacterial infections. However, using a moisture-absorbing, clean cloth as a barrier provides an effective solution. Further, please pay attention to not putting pressure on the tattoed area to prevent rubbing, inflammation, and trapping moisture against it.
Skin shedding during sleep increases the risk of transferring germs from the bedding to the tattooed area. To offer more protection, lay a clean towel or blanket on top of the sheet underneath you.
Learning how to sleep with the new tattoo can be tricky, but within four to seven days, a new layer of skin begins to form over it, allowing you to sleep on it. Soft material pajamas or going PJ-less can help prevent damage to the artwork. Each of these tips can contribute significantly towards ensuring a smoother healing journey.
The purpose is not only to have a good night’s sleep but also to remember that the goal is to protect your new tattoo during its critical healing stage.
TAKE SLEEP SERIOUSLY
Taking enough rest after getting a new tattoo is crucial. Many people who toss and turn may ignore this advice, but it’s essential. For instance, if you’ve got a tattoo on your side, it’s best to sleep on the opposite side to avoid unnecessary friction. If your tattoo is on the back of your arm or leg, aim to sleep on your stomach or an unaffected side.
Most people get tattoos on the front of their bodies, so the best posture for them is to lie on their back. This prevents squishing their wound, a common mistake that can lead to bleeding or infection.
Contrary to popular belief, tattoo aftercare is more extensive than a single night’s rest. To ensure proper tattoo healing, avoid sleeping on your tattooed side for at least seven nights. If you find this challenging, at least try until the tattoo starts to dry out, and you don’t have to wear the wrap anymore.
KEEP THE ADHESIVE WRAP ON OVERNIGHT
Priority one is to ensure the new tattoo is well protected, especially during sleeping hours. Any new tattoo needs to be kept under a protective cover. This involves using a clean, breathable bandage or a specialized tattoo cover designed for superior aftercare.
Why is this crucial? Here’s the story.
- Protection from bacteria: A fresh tattoo invites bacteria. With the skin more vulnerable to infections in the initial days after getting inked, it’s vital to keep out bacteria. By keeping the fresh tattoo covered, infection risks plummet.
- Reducing Friction: Clothing or objects rubbing against the tattoo disrupt the healing process. This leads to inconvenient scabbing and potential scarring. Covering up lessens this friction and paves the way for optimal healing.
- Maintaining Hydration is key to successful tattoo aftercare. Covering the new tattoo helps conserve hydration, reducing scabbing, scarring, and related complications.
- Avoiding Exposure to Irritants: Tattoos and irritants don’t mix. Covering the tattoo keeps these irritants at bay.
Ensuring a hydrated tattoo during sleep is vital. Necessary hydration maintains skin elasticity and reduces the risk of unfavorable after-effects. This makes keeping the tattoo covered while asleep non-negotiable. Failing to do so risks making the tattoo patchy, increasing pain, or causing cuts and bruises from friction.
Sheets, bedding, and pillowcases can all cause abrasion to new tattoos, turning a peaceful sleep into a painful event. This calls for taking extra safeguards while sleeping. Avoid direct contact with the tattoo to mitigate the risks, ensuring a healthy healing process.
SHOWERING AND REWRAPPING
When a tattoo artist wraps up the new tattoo and advises to wash it once home, the wearer must comply with these instructions. After showering, the skin should be gently dried and rewrapped for the night. This process of cleaning and rewrapping is highly advised for the first three nights post-tattooing.
Owners of fresh tattoos who opt not to rewrap might find utility in a spare bedsheet that they don’t mind staining with ink. This ensures safety from the accumulation of germs, sweat, and bacteria on unwashed sheets. Moreover, ensure to rotate your sheets frequently to safeguard from pet hair, dust, and any residue that could compromise the cleanliness of the tattoo. Opting to rewrap each night simplifies the process and provides an added layer of protection.
USE A SPARE BEDSHEET
Newly inked individuals may find tremendous value in preparing their sleeping environment. To reduce the risk of infection and unwanted friction, using a clean, spare bedsheet specifically for nights following the tattoo session can be immensely beneficial.
This isn’t just about cleanliness. A separate sheet emphasizes safeguarding the new artwork against abrasion from the usual bedding materials. While it’s a simple step, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the tattoo as it heals. You’re investing not just in a spare sheet but also in the longevity and vibrancy of your new tattoo.
ROTATE YOUR BED SHEETS
Rotating bed sheets every other day is a crucial part of tattoo aftercare. Constant change decreases the risk of bacteria or other pathogens reaching the skin surface, which might lead to infections.
For added sensitivity, choose a soft, breathable fabric to minimize skin irritation and friction at the tattoo spot. To further safeguard against these concerns, silk or satin bed sheets and pillow covers can be a worthwhile consideration. The smoother material of these options can help reduce the risk of injury to the fresh ink and aid in faster tattoo healing.
While considering all this, do not disregard your pillows. Supportive pillows provide more comfort and create an exemplary healing environment by offering additional cushioning. They can also be used to elevate the tattooed area, thus helping increase blood flow and fast-track the healing process.
The role pets play in this process should not be understated. Their hair, dust, and other residues can contaminate the bed. Therefore, pet owners might need to consider keeping their cuddly companions at bay for a few days following a new tattoo session.
LOOSEN STUCK BEDDING WITH WARM WATER
If a new tattoo happens to stick to the bedding during sleep, don’t panic. It’s a common occurrence easily remedied with warm water. Dab some warm water around the sticking point. It’ll slowly loosen, allowing you to safely remove the bedding without damaging the tattoo.
Additionally, moistening the area will minimize the risk of accidental peeling or tearing while ensuring the vibrancy and longevity of the ink art. Remember, though: this is just one aspect of tattoo aftercare. Incorporate it into other aftercare practices for best results.
KEEP YOUR PETS AWAY
A crucial part of sleeping with a new tattoo, one that’s often overlooked, is keeping pets away. This might be a tough pill for pet lovers fond of snuggling their fur babies in bed. Still, it’s essential for the health and integrity of the tattoo.
Animals, especially cats and dogs, can carry bacteria that have the potential to cause an infection in a fresh tattoo. While one’s furry friend might mean no harm, their mere presence close to the new ink risks introducing foreign particles that can severely impair its healing process.
Also, a sleeping pet might accidentally scratch or claw the tattoo. Not only can this result in severe discomfort for the individual, but it also raises the risk of damaging the new artwork.
Pet owners need to create a safe and segregated sleep environment when they have a new tattoo. It’s key to ward off pets from the healing skin until it’s fully cured. This ensures the tattoo turns out exactly as envisioned and stays vibrant for years to come. The sleep environment should be clean and pet-free. This small sacrifice is a valuable addition to the post-tattoo care regime for optimal results.
SLEEPING WITH A NEW TATTOO WHILE TRAVELING
If one is staying in a hotel or on the move after getting a tattoo, it’s crucial to bring one’s own clean bedding. If one relies on the hotel’s cleanliness, they’d be better off taking no risks.
One might wonder, “Can You Shower After Getting A Tattoo?” Yes, but it’s important to follow the tattoo artist’s cleaning instructions rigorously. Shower, clean, and rewrap the tattoo before bed for the first three nights. It’s not about being overly cautious; it’s about ensuring that good habit gets a chance to form.
KEEP A PACK OF TATTOO WIPES NEARBY
Tattoo artists often advise clients to keep their tattoos clean and irritant-free. Having tattoo wipes on hand can make this process easier, especially during those first few nights post-ink. These specialized wipes are designed to help clean and soothe the fresh tattoo, providing a valuable tool for those seeking proper tattoo care.
Should you find yourself in the middle of the night realizing your tattoo needs cleaning, there’s no need to fumble around. Instead, reach for that handy pack of tattoo wipes and do the job without ruffling your bedding or disrupting your rest. This can also benefit those who travel post-tattoo sessions, ensuring you always have a clean, convenient way to maintain your new artwork.
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