Is It Okay To Put Clothes On Directly Over New Tattoos?
Today’s subject is a relatively simple question, and we can answer it pretty quickly: No, it is not okay to put clothes on directly over new tattoos. There are a number of problems that can result from such a foolish act, so don’t be one of those who make this foolish mistake.
Most tattoo artists will recommend open-air healing, although you will have to wait 1-2 days to remove the initial bandaging wrap. Before you even ask “where are the best local tattoo shops near me?”, Let’s discuss this subject in a little more detail to make sure you know everything that you need to know.
Indirect Wear Is Fine
As long as there is a bandage between your new tat and your clothes, things should be fine. That does not count as direct wear since there is a middle layer. As long as the clothing does not directly contact the tattooed skin, there should be no significant problems.
If your tattoo is located in a not-so-public area, it might not be practical (or legal) to go without clothing. Groin-area tattoos are an obvious example here, as are chest tattoos on women. If this is your situation, you can still wear clothing over your naughty little decoration. However, during the healing process, you must always keep a bandage between your skin and the cloth.
The Importance Of Loose Clothing
Even if you are using a bandage, you should still opt for loose clothing. A baggy shirt or a pair of baggy pants will not rub against the tattoo so much, and this means less chance of damage. Even when using a bandage and/or plastic wrap, this is important. During the initial healing stages, excess ink can seep through the bandage and stain your clothes. Obviously, baggy clothes are less likely to be ruined in this way.
Have you ever allowed a small wound to heal without a bandage? If so, you might have had at least one instance where your clothing became part of the scab. Naturally, this means ripping off the scab when you remove that article of clothing. For a tattoo wound, this is nothing short of disastrous. Some of the ink will be taken away with the scab, but that isn’t the worst part. The worst part is the fact that you will be exposing yourself to a greater risk of infection.
The Importance Of Proper Sanitation
Sanitation is the main reason that you aren’t supposed to put tight clothes over a fresh tattoo. Anything that disturbs the wound will present the possibility of contamination, whether it be tight clothes or anything else. To avoid health risks and the risk of damage to your new tat, it’s important to always practice proper sanitation.
When you get your tattoo, you will undoubtedly receive some aftercare instructions. It is important that you follow these to the letter. These instructions will definitely include instructions for cleaning the area, so go overboard! If they tell you to clean it twice a day, you should probably clean it three times a day. A cleaner wound makes for a less traumatic healing process and a brighter, more vibrant tattoo.
You should also bear in mind that sweat is filthy, and can cause an infection by itself. Those who are quite physically active would do well to wash their new tattoo every time they get sweaty. Whether it’s a ball game, a weightlifting session, a martial arts class, or any other strenuous physical activity, make sure you wash that new tat as soon as possible.
Sometimes, Clothing Is A Good Idea
We are not necessarily telling you to leave a tattoo uncovered while it heals. In fact, that might not be practical for a number of reasons. One of the biggest of these reasons is the sun (since it is the single biggest object in our solar system). Sunlight contains UV rays, and these have a way of making colors fade. If you’ve ever seen a garment lose its color after sitting in the sun for too long, that’s why it happens.
For this reason, it is always advisable to keep a new tattoo out of that harsh, direct sunlight. You can do this with bandaging material or gauze, but we would recommend using a dark-colored cloth wrap as well. This will ensure that no UV light can penetrate the bandage and damage the ink. Even after the healing process is complete, it’s a good idea to use sunscreen on your ink during those hot summer days.
If you do have to wear clothing over your tattoo bandage, look for something light and breathable. This will allow better air exposure for the tattoo and make it harder for infection to grow. all bacteria tend to grow more quickly in dark, dank conditions.
When Can I Start Wearing Clothes Directly Over My Tattoo?
Thankfully, you won’t have to follow these precautions forever (except the sunscreen, of course). Eventually, you will be able to wear clothing over your tattoo without a problem. After a while, it won’t matter if the clothing is light, heavy, breathable, non-breathable, or otherwise.
In most cases, you will reach that point after about two weeks. However, the actual safe time may vary. Factors like skin chemistry, the weather, and abrasion can make a difference, so it’s probably best to wait about three weeks before you stop with the aftercare routine. Just remember that too much caution is better than too little.
Conclusion
This is one of the most common questions that we receive from tattoo novices, and its answer is fairly straightforward. You should not wear clothing directly over a tattoo until it has had time to heal properly, regardless of what some people might tell you. If you would like to have any more of your questions answered, feel free to call Oracle Tattoo Gallery at 215-638-1601. We are known as one of the best Philadelphia tattoo shops and we are willing to prove that statement to anyone.
