Getting a new tattoo is fun, but you must take care of it while it heals. A big question is whether you can sleep on a fresh tattoo without hurting or slowing the healing?
This guide will help you understand how to heal your new tattoo during the first week.
You can sleep on a new tattoo but should do a few things to ensure it heals correctly. Keep the tattoo clean, sleep on clean bed sheets, and wrap it overnight. The key is to make sure your skin and new ink are in a clean, dry, and comfortable place. This will reduce the chance of getting an infection and other complications.
Following cleaning instructions are crucial and should not be ignored. Not only do they help your tattoo heal faster, but they also make it last longer and look better. In this article, we’ll talk about specific steps you can take to make sure your new tattoo heals properly while you sleep.
How to Take Care of New Tattoos
A new tattoo must be cared for like a fresh wound, and to heal correctly, you should follow the cleaning instructions recommended by the tattoo artist.
The first few nights are crucial for wound care to avoid infections, itching, and redness, thus propeet aftercare is essential.
Using these 6 simple steps you give your tattoo the best chance of healing quickly.
- Specialized tattoo treatment sprays or films like Inkeeze Ink Guard Spray and Ink Guard Film are popular. Your tattoo artist can put these on right after they’re done to keep the tattoo safe from germs.
- While cleaning your tattoo, use antibacterial soap to wash with lukewarm water and dry it with a clean towel.
- Use fragrance-free moisturizer to keep it hydrated. Invest in a good moisturizer, as good hydration keeps tattoos from fading.
- Try to maintain a distance from pets for a while, as pet hair is so tiny and light. It can quickly get into your wound.
- Always use clean bed sheets and pillows while sleeping, as dirty sheets may have dust and germs.
- Use Sunscreen when you go out, as safety from direct sun is essential. Direct exposure to the sun may cause damage. Hence, Sunscreen is an integral part of the skincare regime.
You can soothe your new tattoo by following the specific aftercare instructions supplied by your tattoo artist, but generally, but following the above will point you in the right direction.
The most important thing is to get enough sleep. That is why you should know how to sleep with a new tattoo.
Let’s find out.
How Do You Sleep with a New Tattoo?
Sleeping with a new tattoo can be a little tricky and challenging, making you restless because of pain and discomfort. But taking suitable precautions can help you to get a good night’s rest.
Checkout the below 4 Steps
- First, keeping your tattoo covered while you sleep is essential, especially for the first few nights. This keeps germs from getting into the open wound and lets it heal naturally.
- Cleanliness is vital, so you should change your bed sheet before going to bed with a new tattoo. Old sheets can hold germs and dead skin cells, which can cause infection.
- Choosing the proper sleeping position is crucial if you don’t want to hurt your new tattoo. If you don’t want to rub or pressure your tattoo, avoid sleeping directly on the tattoo. Start sleeping on your opposite side or your stomach with a long pillow for a few nights.
- Sleep wedges are a good choice if you have a new tattoo and don’t want it to touch the bed sheets while you sleep. It will let the tattoo breathe and get fresh air, vital for quick healing.
Also, When sleeping with a new tattoo, it is very important to understand the tattoo healing process. You can sleep well at night and keep your new tattoo safe by taking the suggested steps.
But you must understand the importance of sleep and what happens when you don’t get enough. Let’s look at how not getting proper sleep can make it harder for you to get better.
Sleep wedges are a good choice if you have a new tattoo and don’t want it to touch the bed sheets while you sleep. It will let the tattoo breathe and get fresh air, vital for quick healing.
Also, When sleeping with a new tattoo, it is very important to understand the tattoo healing process. You can sleep well at night and keep your new tattoo safe by taking the suggested steps.
But, you also must understand the importance of sleep and what happens when you don’t get enough.
Let’s look at how not getting proper sleep can make it harder for you to get better.
Does Sleep Help New Tattoo Heal?
Getting enough rest is very important for how well a new tattoo heals. Even though there isn’t a set number of hours that everyone should sleep after getting a tattoo, it’s usually best to get good sleep quality.
A good Night’s sleep can help your new tattoo in many ways,
- Tissue Repair: Sleep is a very important time for the body to repair and grow new tissues. When you sleep, your body releases growth hormones, which help fix damaged skin cells and tissues and let them heal properly.
- Immune System Function: Sleep is important to a strong defense system. Getting proper rest helps your immune system work better, which is important if you want to avoid getting an infection in your new tattoo.
- Reduced Inflammation: During sleep, the body regulates inflammation levels. Inflammation is a natural response to the tattooing process and contributes to healing. Sufficient shut-eye helps keep inflammation under control, preventing excessive swelling and discomfort around the tattooed area.
- Stress Reduction: Stress can be reduced by getting enough rest. Getting a new tattoo can be hard on your body and mind, and anxiety can slow healing. Getting enough sleep helps lower stress hormones like cortisol, which makes it easier for your body to mend.
- Enhanced Healing: Sleep helps the body restore by giving it energy and resources. When you rest, your body uses its energy to fix itself. This includes making new skin cells and collagen and moistening your skin. This helps make a tattoo look bright and well-healed.
As it heals, a new tattoo can cause itching and discomfort; we’ve all experienced this!
Let’s see what we can do to ease nighttime itching and irritation.
How to Stop a Tattoo Itch in 6 Easy Steps
Good sleep hygiene is important to give your body the best chance to fix and protect your new tattoo. It’s common for a new tattoo to feel itchy during the healing process. By doing these things, you can get some comfort and make sure your tattoo heals properly, so it will look great for years to come.
1. Keep the Tattoo Wrapped:
Some tattoo artists recommend covering it during the night after moisturizing it because wrapping it helps trap moisture and recover faster. It also minimizes the chances of hurting the tattoo during bedtime.
2. Apply a Thin Layer of Moisturizer:
Use a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizer or one specifically designed for new ink.
Apply a thin layer on your tattoo before bedtime to keep it hydrated and minimize irritation. Remember not to do it over, which can lead to clogged pores.
3. Resist the Urge to Scratch
As the tattoo heals and forms a new layer, it’s normal to feel itchy, but don’t scratch or pick at it. Instead, gently pat or slap the area to remove the itch without hurting your tattoo.
4. Choose the Right Sleep Position
Find a way to sleep that doesn’t pressure the tattoo and gives you comfort. Place the tattooed spot on a clean pillow to reduce swelling and pain.
5. Wear Breathable Clothing
Choose soft, loose clothing to sleep in. Avoid rough fabric, which can cause friction while sleeping with a new tattoo.
6. Change Your Sheets and Pillowcases
Use clean, new sheets and pillows to keep your new tattoo from getting sick or irritated while you nap. While your tattoo is healing, switching to a mild washing detergent without a scent is also a good idea.
Doing these things can help your tattoo recover faster and have less itching and soreness at night. This will help your tattoo look good and last longer.
When Can I Sleep Normally with a Tattoo?
When you get your first tattoo, your skin looks like it has been hurt and needs to soothe. Taking care of your new tattoo while you sleep is vital because this is when your body heals itself.
So many things can affect how quickly a new tattoo heals and how well you rest at night.
Let’s look at 4 important things to consider.
1. Healing.
After a few days, the tattoo will start scabbing, a sign of healing. It’s important not to pick at the scabs because doing so could permanently leave scars or ruin the tattoo. Remember, scabs are good!
2. Ink Location
The position of your tattoo can affect how quickly it heals. Places with more pressure or movement, like the elbows, knees, or feet, may take longer to recover.
In these situations, you may need to change your sleep position or take extra steps, like wearing open clothes, to avoid touching the tattooed area.
3. Infection Signs
Look for signs of infection, such as severe redness, swelling, or pus. If you have any of these signs, you need to see a doctor immediately and can’t go back to sleeping generally until the infection is treated.
4. Aftercare Instructions
Follow your tattoo artist’s aftercare directions, which usually include keeping the area clean, hydrated, and covered for some time. By following these rules, you can speed up the healing process and ensure it’s safe to sleep like normal.
This is a great clip, that dives deeper into tattoo aftercare.
Tattoo aftercare tips from a dermatologist| Dr. Dray – YouTube
Final Thoughts
Going to sleep with a new tattoo can be uncomfortable, especially if it’s your first time. Pain and discomfort can make you a little anxious, especially at night, we’ve all been there.
But don’t worry; this will end soon.
All you have to do is follow the steps we discussed, be careful, and take all the precautions your tattoo artist told you to take.
Even though it hurts and it is hard, it is still worth it, don’t you agree?
Also, your new body art piece will improve soon; until then, sleep well!
