How to Sleep with a New Tattoo: 9 Best Tips
People often believe that enduring pain during the tattoo process is the hardest part. However, the real challenge comes after getting the tattoo, during the aftercare period. For example, sleeping on tattoo can damage its appearance and even cause some discomfort. Additionally, some individuals may experience itching and irritation.
Therefore, when sleeping with new tattoo, you need to take care of it. So, how to sleep with a new tattoo to avoid these potential issues? You can follow these steps to minimize any complications.
- Avoid pulling pressure to the tattoo.
- Use a soft pillowcase.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing.
- Refrain from scratching the tattoo while sleeping.
- Sleep in the right position.
- Keep your pets away when sleeping.
- Keep your tattoo design clean.
- Avoid consuming alcohol or caffeine.
- Do not wrap your tattoo in plastic.
To ensure that you sleep well and take good care of your new tattoo, you need to follow these tips. As they will not only help you sleep well with the tattoo but also avoid any complications, thus promoting fast healing.
To ensure a good night’s sleep and protect your tattoo against bacteria and other germs, continue reading this blog for comprehensive details on these tips.
How To Sleep With A New Tattoo
1 Don’t Place Undue Pressure on Your Tattoo
Generally, tattoo artists recommend being extra careful after getting new tattoos until they heal completely. As a fresh tattoo is an open wound, even a small amount of pressure can ruin the design and increase the risk of infection.
Moreover, putting pressure while sleeping with a new tattoo can hinder healing and prolong recovery. For example, avoiding sleeping on that side at night is crucial if you are getting a tattoo on your arm.
This can help prevent unnecessary pressure on the tattooed area, ensuring the healing process goes smoothly. Remember that proper aftercare of a tattoo is crucial to your design’s longevity and overall appearance.
2 Use a Clean Pillowcase and Sheets
Using a soft pillow to protects your tattoo from pressure is a great way. A soft pillow distributes your body weight evenly, providing comfortable relief to the arm and preventing swelling. A soft pillow is a supportive resting function when you sleep with a new tattoo.
Moreover, a soft pillow reduces friction between your skin and the pillowcase, unlike a hard pillow that can lead to scrubbing and scratching the tattoo.
3 Wear Loose Clothing
Loose clothing can protect the tattooed area from itching, pressure, irritation, and swelling. Loose clothing allows the skin to breathe and air to circulate the tattoo, which keeps it dry and aids in healing.
This also prevents bacteria and other germs from entering the tattoo and reduces pain and discomfort. However, it is essential to remember that loose, breathable, and comfortable clothing should be worn during the first few weeks after getting a tattoo.
4 Avoid Scratching or Picking At the Tattoo While Sleeping
It is normal to experience itching after getting a tattoo. However, scratching or bruising the area can ruin the tattoo and lead to a dangerous infection. We often accidentally scratched tattoo in sleep, which can lead to some issues.
To avoid scratching while sleeping with fresh tattoo, keep the application area clean and dry . Don’t forget to wash your hands frequently and keep them sterile. Apply a cold cream or lotion which is specifically good for tattoo when going to sleeping to prevent irritation and scratching. Again to say, do not scratch the tattoo; it will naturally peel off over time.
5 Choosing the Right Sleeping Position
Sleeping on your back with a fresh tattoo is very helpful in healing it. When you sleep on your back after getting a new tattoo, it reduces friction and promotes cohesion. As a result, over time, the tattoo becomes more visually appealing.
Please stay away from your pets and avoid sleeping with them for a few days after getting a tattoo. If they accidentally scratch or brush against the tattoo, it could cause harm.
Additionally, pets may carry certain germs that can lead to infection in the tattoo wound. Therefore, being cautious around your pets is important until the tattoo is fully healed.
7 Keep your Tattoo Clean
Keep your tattoo completely safe by keeping it clean and free from dust, dirt, water, and moisturizing. For this, only use the moisturizer recommended by the tattoo artist.
Because other types of moisture can react with the tattoo and cause a sore or another harmful allergy, it is essential always to keep your ink design dry and clean.
8 Limit Caffeine and Alcohol Intake Before Sleeping
Excessive use of caffeine and alcohol disturbs your sleep. Both alcohol and caffeine are harmful in terms of causing inflammation. Moreover, alcohol consumption can thin the blood.
So, it’s essential to limit both alcohol and caffeine consumption before going to bed with a new tattoo. Furthermore, blood thinning can hinder bleeding from the tattoo.
As a result, it will slow down tattoo’s healing process. Therefore, getting good sleep is crucial when healing a new tattoo. To ensure the best healing process, avoiding both of these before going to sleep is best.
9 Avoid Using Plastic Wrap or Bandages
Using plastic wrap can create moisture around the tattoo, which can be very helpful for bacteria to grow. Also, plastic wrapping can cause allergies, swelling, and skin irritation. If you have a tattoo on an area in constant motion, such as the elbow, plastic wrapping can rub on those areas, leading to further irritation.
Moreover, if the plastic wrap is too tight, it can cause skin irritation, and oxygen passage through it can also be challenging. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious and avoid using plastic wrapping before bed to promote quick healing of your tattoo.
FAQs
Should I wrap my tattoo when I sleep?
Yes, of course, you can wrap your tattoo while sleeping. Use sterile bandages for wrapping. For best results, use only medically approved or artist-recommended bandages. Remember to change the wrapping after three or four hours.
Should I cover my tattoo before I sleep?
Avoid covering up the first night after getting a tattoo because covering too long creates moisture, providing a favorable environment for germs.
But if you are worried about the tattoo getting damaged, you can use medical-grade adhesive bandages and protective tattoo items like Saniderm or Tegaderm before sleep.
Do tattoos heal faster when you sleep?
Restful sleep is really necessary for the healing process. And when you sleep, new white blood cells in your body are produced in large numbers to defend against bacteria and other germs.
On the other hand, if you don’t get enough restful sleep, your immune system does not function properly. Therefore, optimal sleep helps in the healing process.
Should I moisturize my tattoo overnight?
Most professional tattoo artists recommend moisturizing the tattoo only once every 24 to 48 hours. Use only the ointment recommended by your artist.
If you have skin allergies or experience irritation, the lotion will help alleviate discomfort and promote better sleep.
How long after a tattoo can you shower?
If you cover your new tattoo with second, you can shower after three or four hours. On the other hand, if you use plastic wrapping, you cannot shower for the first 24 hours.
When showering after getting a tattoo, keep your wound out of the water as much as possible to help it heal.
Can I wear clothes over my new tattoo?
You can wear clothing over the new tattoo that is loose, soft, breathable, and does not rub against the skin.
How do you keep a tattoo moist while sleeping?
It is essential to moisturize the new tattoo to protect it from itching and scratching. Coat the tattoo with a thin layer of lotion specially formulated to moisturize the tattoo.
Also, wrap it with a medically approved bandage such as Saniderm. Be sure to keep your tattoo clean and dry after moisturizing, for which you can use a fan or soft towel.
Should I put Vaseline on my tattoo before bed?
No, using Vaseline on a tattoo can lead to infection. Vaseline makes it difficult for oxygen and air to pass through the skin.
Also, it contains ingredients that are gentler and more moisturizing. Thus, it is common for bacteria to grow in such areas.
Conclusion:
Restful sleep is really necessary for the healing process. And when you sleep, new white blood cells in your body are produced in large numbers to defend against bacteria and other germs.
However, it can be quite challenging to sleep with a new tattoo. However, by following the above-mentioned tips, you can easily sleep without disturbing your ink design
Flora Jones is a licensed professional tattoo artist with over 5 years of experience working at various studios in Arizona. In addition to her artistry, she enjoys sharing her knowledge and expertise on various tattoo-related topics through her writing.