How to Sleep with a New Tattoo: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

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1Protecting the Tattoo

2Making Yourself Comfortable

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Co-authored byGrant Lubbockand Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

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You've researched a tattoo, found an artist, gone under the needle, and now it's time to rest. If you got a tattoo on your back, chest, or side, you'll need to protect the tattoo while you sleep. This means putting clean sheets on the bed, letting air circulate around the tattoo, and changing your sleep position. Fortunately, your tattoo will heal quickly if you get lots of quality rest and you'll soon be sleeping like normal.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Protecting the Tattoo

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  1. 1

    Put fresh sheets on your bed before you go to sleep. Old sheets contain dead skin cells and bacteria that could cause infection, especially when you stop covering your tattoo. Change your bedding before sleeping with your new tattoo.[1]

    • If you have enough sheets, put clean sheets on the bed every night.
    • Use dark bedding instead of light-colored sheets since ink from your tattoo might stain the sheets.
  2. 2

    Follow your tattoo artist's care recommendations about wrapping. Ask your tattoo artist if you need to keep the tattoo covered while you sleep and when you should remove the wrapping. They might advise you to keep their bandage on for the first night before removing it. To put a new bandage on at home, you may be told to put a sterile absorbent bandage on the tattoo.[2]

    • If the bandage doesn't have adhesive, use medical tape to secure the bandage around the tattoo. Ensure that you don't apply tape to the tattoo, which would be painful to remove.
    • Avoid wrapping the tattoo with plastic clingfilm because it traps sweat and bacteria against the tattoo.

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  3. 3

    Choose a sleeping position that keeps you off of the tattoo. Your tattoo needs circulating air in order to heal faster. If you lie on the tattoo, you'll irritate the skin and trap moisture against it as you sleep. If you got a tattoo on your:[3]

    • Back, sleep on your belly.
    • Side, lie on your opposite side.
    • Chest, sleep on your back.
    • Leg, raise your leg with a pillow or cushion.
  4. 4

    Wait 4 to 7 days before you sleep on your tattoo. Your tattoo will ooze and bleed for a few days after you get it. Avoid sleeping on the tattoo at this point since it needs air circulation. Once the new layer of skin has formed over your tattoo, usually after 4 to 7 days, you can begin to sleep on it.

    • You'll also see the old skin scab and flake off, which can make the tattoo feel itchy.
  5. 5

    Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Since your body treats a tattoo like a wound, it's important to get more sleep than usual. This gives your body more time to recover and helps your tattoo heal faster.[4]

    • Remember that your immune system is responding to the tattoo, so support it by eating nutritious foods as well.
  6. 6

    Wet any bedding that sticks to your tattoo during the night. If you wake up and see that your top bedsheet is sticking to your tattoo, do not pull it off, which could slow the healing process. Instead, hold the sheet and carefully walk to a sink. Get the sheet wet to loosen it and then remove the sheet.[5]

    • To prevent the bottom fitted sheet from sticking to your tattoo, lay a clean towel or cloth under you before you go to sleep. Then, replace the towel or sheet if it sticks to you during the night.
    • If the sheet is stuck to a tattoo that's in a hard to reach place, such as on your back, get in the shower with the sheet stuck to you.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making Yourself Comfortable

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  1. 1

    Wear loose clothing that doesn't rub against the tattoo. Your tattoo site is extra sensitive and might still be painful, which can make it difficult to sleep. Prevent scratchy fabric from pressing hard against the tattoo and wear loose, soft clothing to bed instead.[6]

    • If you prefer, don't wear pajamas if they cover your tattoo.
  2. 2

    Arrange pillows under your knees to make sleeping on your back more comfortable. You're more likely to stay off of your tattoo if you have pillows or cushions that support you as you sleep. If your tattoo is on your chest and you're trying to sleep on your back, put small pillows or rolled-up towels under each of your knees.

    • Add extra pillows under your head if you feel like you're leaning too far back on the bed.
    • Raising your knees with the pillows supports your lower back so it's more comfortable.
  3. 3

    Put a pillow under your chest if you need to sleep on your belly. If your tattoo is on your back and you find that laying on your belly and chest is uncomfortable, slide a pillow under your chest. The pillow raises you up a little so you're not putting as much pressure on your chest

    • If you're still uncomfortable, buy a specialized stomach sleeper pillow or a face-down pillow that has a hole for you to lay your head in.
  4. 4

    Place pillows in front and behind you if you're sleeping on your side. If you got a tattoo on 1 of your sides, lie on your opposite side. To prevent you from rolling over onto your other side, arrange a long pillow, bolster, or sleeping wedge near your chest. Put another 1 right behind you along your back.

    • If it's difficult for you to position the pillows, ask a friend to help.
  5. 5

    Sleep alone for the first few nights after getting the tattoo. If you share your bed with a partner, ask them to sleep in another room so you can get good sleep. This is especially important if your partner is a restless sleeper or you're getting used to different sleep positions.

    • You might find that your support pillows take up a lot of space and there isn't as much room for your partner.
    • If you have pets that get into bed with you, try to keep them out of your bed for the first few days after getting your tattoo. This will prevent animal dander and germs from getting into your new tattoo.
  6. 6

    Create a soothing bedtime routine before you go to sleep. To help you fall asleep easier, avoid bright light from televisions, phones, or computer screens in the hour before you go to bed. Instead, do a relaxing activity, such as reading, yoga, or talking with a friend.[7]

    • Consider cutting back on caffeine during the day so you have an easier time drifting off to sleep.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question

    How do you wash a new tattoo?

    Grant Lubbock
    Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink

    Grant Lubbock is a Tattoo Artist and Co-Owner of Red Baron Ink, a tattoo salon based in New York City. Grant has over 10 years of tattooing experience and he specializes in neo-traditional, black/grey, and color tattoos. Red Baron Ink's main goal is for each tattoo coming out of their studio to be one of a kind custom pieces that will look good throughout a lifetime.

    Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink

    Expert Answer

    First, follow your artist's instructions. Every tattoo artist has a different process so whatever they tell you trumps whatever instructions you find on the internet. As a rule of thumb, you should wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap twice a day. Lightly hydrate the tattoo with a tattoo ointment three times a day to keep it from drying out. If you have any questions, contact the artist that did your tattoo.

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      Tips

      • If you're traveling or staying in a hotel after getting the tattoo, bring your own clean bedding instead of relying on the hotel's cleanliness.

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      Things You'll Need

      • Clean bedsheets
      • Clean towel or cloth
      • Pillows, cushions, or rolled-up towels

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      About This Article

      How to Sleep with a New Tattoo: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (33)

      Co-authored by:

      Grant Lubbock

      Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink

      This article was co-authored by Grant Lubbock and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Grant Lubbock is a Tattoo Artist and Co-Owner of Red Baron Ink, a tattoo salon based in New York City. Grant has over 10 years of tattooing experience and he specializes in neo-traditional, black/grey, and color tattoos. Red Baron Ink's main goal is for each tattoo coming out of their studio to be one of a kind custom pieces that will look good throughout a lifetime. This article has been viewed 172,039 times.

      25 votes - 80%

      Co-authors: 12

      Updated: March 20, 2024

      Views:172,039

      Categories: Tattoos and Piercing

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      How to Sleep with a New Tattoo: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      How to protect a new tattoo when sleeping? ›

      A lot of tattoo artists recommend sleeping with the wrap that was put on. Others recommend re-wrapping, or just applying healing ointment and keeping the tattoo clean. The important thing is avoiding infection.

      How to avoid scratching a tattoo while sleeping? ›

      Wear gloves when you sleep to prevent scratching.

      Alternatively, cover your tattoo up in a light, breathable fabric while you sleep to prevent scratching.

      Should I wrap my tattoo before bed first night? ›

      Your first night sleeping, your artist might recommend you re-wrap the tattoo with plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap) to sleep without the tattoo sticking to your sheets. This is generally for larger or solid-color tattoos. If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight.

      Should I put Aquaphor on my tattoo before bed? ›

      Sleeping. For the first three nights before bed, wash the tattoo and apply a very thin coat of Aquaphor ointment. Wrap the tattoo in plastic wrap and secure with paper tape. Remove the wrap in the morning and wash thoroughly.

      Can I sleep with a blanket over my new tattoo? ›

      Ask your tattoo artist if you need to keep the tattoo covered while you sleep and when you should remove the wrapping. They might advise you to keep their bandage on for the first night before removing it. To put a new bandage on at home, you may be told to put a sterile absorbent bandage on the tattoo.

      What to do at night with a new tattoo? ›

      You'll want to keep the tattoo wrapped for at least the first night because it will take a while for it to settle down and stop leaking. You don't want an open wound like that touching your bed sheets, getting blood everywhere, or dirt and dust getting into the wound itself.

      Should I sleep with clothes over a new tattoo? ›

      Wearing loose-fitting clothing is also a sure way to ensure you don't accidentally scratch your tattoo in your sleep, leading to a distorted tattoo. Protecting your fresh tattoo while sleeping by wearing loose-fitting clothing ensures it doesn't stick to the ink and you don't knock it accidentally.

      When can I sleep normally after getting a tattoo? ›

      Avoid sleeping directly on your new tattoo, at least the first 4 days. The goal is to try your best not to put any pressure on your tattoo and to keep it from touching anything, at least as much as possible. A healing tattoo needs lots of fresh air and oxygen, so try not to smother it while sleeping.

      Should I put Vaseline on my tattoo before bed? ›

      DON'T apply alcohol, Neosporin, Vaseline, or petroleum jelly (they can trap dirt and germs and cause infection). DON'T apply a heavy coat of lotion (remember the skin must breathe in order to heal). DON'T expose your tattoo to direct sunlight, swim, sauna, steam or tub for 2 weeks.

      Can I rub my tattoo if it itches? ›

      Avoid scratching: Although it may be tempting, scratching can damage the tattooed area and prolong the healing process. Instead, if you must, try patting or very gently tapping the itchy area to alleviate the sensation. Keep the area clean: Wash your tattoo gently with mild, fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water.

      How to stop tattoo itching at night? ›

      For old tattoos, choose either an oatmeal-based lotion or a thicker moisturizer made from cocoa butter. Stay away from products with colors and fragrances, as these may cause further irritation and may inadvertently increase the itch. For new tattoos, check with your artist about how to best keep them moisturized.

      How do you protect a new tattoo while sleeping? ›

      Here's how to sleep with a new tattoo:
      1. TAKE SLEEP SERIOUSLY! ...
      2. KEEP THE ADHESIVE WRAP ON OVERNIGHT. ...
      3. SHOWERING AND REWRAPPING. ...
      4. USE A SPARE BED SHEET. ...
      5. ROTATE YOUR BED SHEETS. ...
      6. SLEEPING POSITIONS. ...
      7. LOOSEN STUCK BEDDING WITH WARM WATER. ...
      8. KEEP YOUR PETS AWAY.

      How long to leave saran wrap on tattoo? ›

      When the tattoo is dry to the touch, cover it completely with a new piece of plastic wrap, using small pieces of tape as needed to hold it in place. Do NOT use any healing ointment or moisturizer. With this method, the tattoo is kept completely covered with plastic wrap 24 hours a day, usually for 48-72 hours.

      How to tell if a tattoo is over moisturized? ›

      Signs of over moisturized tattoo

      Another key sign of over moisturizing is clogged skin. Applying too much moisturizer restricts the skin's ability to breath, thus causing the pores to clog and can lead to consequent break outs.

      How long do I have to keep my new tattoo covered? ›

      When the tattoo is dry to the touch, cover it completely with a new piece of plastic wrap, using small pieces of tape as needed to hold it in place. Do NOT use any healing ointment or moisturizer. With this method, the tattoo is kept completely covered with plastic wrap 24 hours a day, usually for 48-72 hours.

      Can you be put to sleep during a tattoo? ›

      A tattoo done under general or intravenous anesthesia is recommended for individuals with a low pain threshold who are afraid of needles and the entire tattooing procedure.

      Can I put gauze on a new tattoo? ›

      If you must bandage your tattoo, use clean, non-stick gauze pads. It is best to leave the tattoo open to the air because the constant friction of a bandage may cause healing problems. Only bandage if necessary! - DO NOT use Vaseline, A+D ointment, Neosporin or petroleum jelly.

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