How long should the bandage stay on my new tattoo?

Question

I got a tattoo yesterday afternoon and my artist put a breathable bandage on it. He said to keep the bandage on the tattoo until tonight after dinner. Then to clean it and apply a lotion like luberdirm. However, I looked online and asked other people and they said it was far to long to keep the bandage on and to not apply any lotions for 24 hours. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

You honestly should follow your artist's instructions so that if it messes up, he would be responsible for correcting it. However, I would have to agree with the other people as my artist told me to remove the badage after 2-4 hours. It's then that I was instructed to clean it, then apply the appropriate ointment. I would advise you to talk to your artist, the determine if you want to take the bandage off. The tattoo should be able to breath. The decision is yours whether to listen to your artist or is. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

With all three of my tattoos I got told to take the bandage of an hour after and to gently wash it and apply my balm. I was to repeat this process 3 or 4 times a day for the first couple of weeks. I was not told to replace the bandage. I hope you're not using the same bandage. You shouldn't be covering it anymore I don't think. I might be wring because you have yours in a different place different rules may apply.

Answer 3

Best tips I've ever heard was this:



1. Keep the bandage on for TWO HOURS.



2. Wash off any ointment they put on the tattoo with soap and water.



3. Let the tattoo breathe and dry for 48 hours (from the time you washed it). This does not mean you can't take a shower, just pat it dry when done.



4. After 48 hours, apply a non-scented lotion when the tattoo gets too dry. Cracking, and peeling is common. DO NOT PEEL IT YOURSELF. Let it fall off. Keep this up for two weeks.



Your tattoo will end up looking VERY vibrant. I know this because I've used this process in 8 out of my 9 tattoos, and the only one I didn't ended up healing bad.



More tips: Do not tan. Do not go into the ocean. Do not take a bath, or go in a pool (avoid these for two weeks.) DO NOT USE OINTMENT (it will suffocate the tattoo.)



Best of luck.

Answer 4

My recommendation is keep the bandage on for a couple hours after the tattoo to let the ink soak in. Then after a couple hours go fill up your bathtub with as hot as you can stand water. Then submerge your new tattoo for 5-10 minutes. After that let as cold as you can stand water run over it (meaning do not let the water spray directly on it) for 15 seconds or so which will close your pores up and seal it in. Then dab it dry gently with a apply a very thin layer of aquaphor over the tattoo. Apply aquaphor a couple of times a day for the first two days then switch to a non scented/fragrance free lotion and apply this 2-3 times a day. Do not apply to much lotion so that it is soggy, but just enough to prevent it from drying out and cracking.

Answer 5

I have two tattoos...each done by a different artist. One told me to leave the bandage on for 24 hours, and the other told me to leave it on no more than 4 hours. I was told by several other artists that the 2nd guy was correct.

Answer 6

I agree with the other people.



The bandage should be kept on for an hour, then removed and the tattoo washed.



Lotion should be kept away until the tattoo has completely peeled.

Answer 7

I've had two tattoos and each said to keep the bandage on for 2-4 hours and then don't put it back on. Your tattoo needs air to help it heal. However if your artist gave you instructions for aftercare you should follow them exactly how they gave them to you. That's why they gave it to you because it works.

Answer 8

Everyone will have a different answer. What my artist tells me to do is take the bandage off after a few hours, then wash it with liquid dial soap, then pat it dry, then use a dye free, unscented lotion.

I would follow what your artist says to do.

Answer 9

Your tattoo should not be covered by anything....take it off.