Is It Proper to Wrap Your New Tattoo and for How Long?

When you get a new tattoo, one of the things that your tattoo artists will first do is to cover it with plastic wrap or cling wrap. This is to reduce the amount of air that could potentially reach your skin, and thus the tattoo, while it’s still healing. 

Tattoos are open wounds that are quite vulnerable to infections, especially when they’re still new. They also should never be exposed to the sun. The wrap acts like a barrier, which prevents air, dirt, and other harmful particles from reaching the tattoo. This is especially true if you plan on going to the beach or to an area with excessive amounts of pollution.

However, this topic has been sparking a debate in the tattoo community. While the majority of tattoo artists believe that wrapping your new tattoo is necessary, some believe otherwise. They think that wrapping your new tattoo will cause more harm than good. They believe that the plastic wrap might trap the moisture from your healing tattoo, which could lead to more complications. Also, the plastic wrap may result in the production of sweat, which can also be problematic for your fresh tattoo. 

It’s also important to note that the plastic wrap prevents the tattoo from breathing, so even if it does prevent dirt and other particles from reaching your skin, your tattoo is still not completely protected. 

What Are the Benefits of Wrapping New Tattoos

In addition to the ones listed above, the benefits that come with wrapping your new tattoos include the following:

• Wrapping your tattoo ensures that you don’t accidentally bump the tattoo while it’s still healing.

• Wrapping your new tattoo will also slow down the peeling of your skin, which could also possibly cause your tattoo to be exposed to the outside air.

• Wrapping your tattoo will help reduce the number of flies that might be attracted to your tattoo.

When to Wrap Your New Tattoos

Wrapping should be done as soon as possible after getting your tattoo. Aside from that, you need to wrap your tattoo when:

- when attending contact events

- when exposed to direct sunlight

- when in an area with a lot of dirt and pollution

- when in an area with a lot of people

- when wearing tight clothes

When Not to Wrap Your New Tattoos

Do not use wraps:

- when showering

- when wearing loose clothes

- at least two hours after getting home

What Should You Wrap Your New Tattoo With

Since the purpose of wrapping your tattoos is to prevent it from getting exposed, using plastic wrap is ideal because plastic wraps are:

- sterile bandage

- muslin cloth

- cheesecloth

- cling wrap

Conclusion

Wrapping a new tattoo is also a tricky matter because you need to reduce the air that reaches it, but at the same time, you also need to allow your tattoo to breathe. Wearing loose clothes that allow air to easily reach your tattoo and avoiding areas with a lot of people and pollution are also some things that you can do to prevent unwanted infections.

Certified Tattoo has some of the best tattoo artists in Denver and Colorado. Let us create your next tattoo based on your style and preferences. Contact us today to get started!