You’re probably worried about how you’ll sleep with your new tattoo while it’s still fresh now that you’ve finally gotten it. You don’t want to ruin your brand-new ink.
Sleeping with a fresh tattoo may be extremely uncomfortable and unsettling. However, you will require that sleep to guarantee that your body has a restful period during which the tattoo can heal.
Table of Contents
How to Sleep With a New Tattoo?
This article will teach you how to use fresh ink to have a nice night’s sleep.
1. Clean Your Tat Before Bed
Before you curl up beneath that warm blanket, remember to clean your tattoo according to the tattooist’s instructions.
You may rest confident that any germs or bacteria that could cause an illness have been removed.
You most likely left the studio with a wrap around your body art. If the artist recommended sleeping with it, rewrap the area before going to bed. After cleaning for the first four days, you may always take it off in the morning and rewrap it at night.
2. Changing your bed sheet every night
When you get a new tattoo, it’s like an open wound that has to be treated carefully. Every night, change your bedsheets to ensure that you sleep on a clean, bacteria-free surface, preventing illnesses.
You may gradually change your sheets as it reaches the peeling stage. Also, keep in mind that a fresh tattoo can ooze ink and blood, so choose a sheet you don’t mind if it becomes ruined.
3. Don’t Sleep on Your Tattoo
I believe that this is one of the most burdensome regulations to follow after getting a new tattoo, especially if it’s on a body part you can’t avoid sleeping on.
It is recommended that you do not rub your tattoo against any surface since this can cause the ink to transfer to your bedding or mattress.
It will also be deprived of oxygen, which is a necessary component for effective healing. To heal effectively, any wound needs fresh air.
4. Get Enough Sleep – 8 Hours Minimum
When you get adequate sleep, your body needs the time to heal a wound more quickly. To hasten the healing process, try to obtain as much rest as possible during the first week.
When you combine this with a healthy diet to enhance your immune system, your tattoo will heal quickly.
5. Dress Comfortably
The new tattoo location is quite painful and sensitive. You can have nightmares if you press too hard.
Wear loose, comfortable clothes to bed that doesn’t push on the tattoo. This will allow your body to breathe, and you’ll be able to get some rest.
6. Keep pets out of your bedroom
Microbes carried by pets such as dogs and cats may cause infection in your tattoo. You don’t want them to spread the bacteria to your clean bedding, putting your wound in danger.
Furthermore, pets enjoy the smell of blood and would be up leaking your wound as soon as you fall asleep. As your tattoo heals, keep dogs away for the first few weeks.
7. Moisturize the Environment
While we recommend against sleeping on your tat, it is possible that you will do so by accident or that it will rub against your bed linens.
Any moisture on the wound will be absorbed, leaving it dry and unhealthy. To keep the ink color and speed up the healing process, use a light moisturizer. Look for a moisturizing product that is devoid of allergies and odors.
8. Use water to loosen clingy clothes or sheets
It’s natural for your wound to become trapped on the cloth as it oozes ink and blood.
Ripping it off will ruin the fresh ink and drastically hinder the healing process.
Instead, carefully peel it off after dampening the region with warm water. If the clothes are trapped in a difficult-to-reach area, take a warm shower.
9. Don’t drink or smoke
Drunkenness and tattoos don’t mix well. Alcohol is prohibited from the tattooing procedure since it thins the blood and causes serious bleeding.
Similarly, alcohol inhibits the immune system throughout the healing phase, slowing down the healing process.
Additionally, because your mind and body aren’t tranquil while you’re drinking, you won’t be able to sleep.
If you stay sober throughout the early phases of recovery, you’ll receive enough sleep to help your wound heal properly.
Most Commonly Asked Questions
Is it necessary to apply ointment on my tattoo before going to bed?
Before going to bed, not all tattooists advocate rewrapping your tattoo. Others recommend applying a thin coating of ointment to the affected region to protect it.
To facilitate air circulation on the wound, the ointments should be petroleum-based. Vaseline should be avoided because it prevents oxygen from entering the body.
When will I be able to sleep on my new tattoo?
Do you find it difficult to sleep in an otherwise inconvenient position to avoid touching your tattoo? Don’t worry, since you can start sleeping on your tat after seven days.
By that time, the ink has dried, and the healing process is well on. If you’re still not comfortable, wait a few days before sleeping on it again.
What should I do with my new tattoo before going to bed?
Because various artists have varied perspectives on what you should do, there is no definitive solution to this subject.
Others propose removing the wrap, washing the area, and using an ointment before sleeping, while others recommend removing it, cleaning the area, and applying an ointment before sleeping.
If you sleep with a wrap on your wound, be sure it allows for oxygen circulation. If you frequently travel, covering up is the greatest method to keep dirt and viruses at bay.
Of course, cleaning up a wound when traveling is more difficult than when you’re at home.
Conclusion
While sleeping with a fresh tattoo might be challenging, you’ll need that sleep to help your tattoo heal properly. Infections will be kept at bay by the care you provide.
The above tips should help you sleep well on a new tat. If you notice alarming signs like extreme swelling, don’t hesitate to see a doctor.
