So, you’ve just gotten some fresh ink and the question pops into your head: “Can I Shower With My New Tattoo?” The answer is yes, but with precautions. At tattooat.com, we understand your concern about preserving your tattoo’s vibrancy and preventing complications. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the showering process while ensuring your body art heals beautifully. This guide offers expert advice on tattoo aftercare and hygiene practices, ensuring your new ink stays vibrant and healthy, reflecting your personal style and artistic expression. Dive in to discover how to properly care for your tattoo and keep it looking its best with tattooat.com.
1. Can I Shower After Getting A Tattoo?
Yes, you can shower after getting a tattoo, but it’s crucial to do it carefully. A quick, lukewarm shower is generally safe. Avoid direct water pressure on the tattooed area and don’t soak it. Gently rinse the tattoo with your hand.
Showering is an essential part of tattoo aftercare, but the key is moderation and gentleness. Think of your new tattoo as an open wound (which it technically is). According to Healthline, a new tattoo is considered an open wound, which needs care and time to heal. Just as you wouldn’t scrub or soak a cut, you need to treat your new tattoo with the same level of care. Use mild, fragrance-free soap and avoid harsh chemicals or exfoliants. The goal is to keep the area clean without causing irritation.
2. How to Shower With Your New Tattoo
Here’s a step-by-step guide to showering safely with a new tattoo:
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Keep Showers Short: Limit your showers to 5-10 minutes to minimize water exposure.
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Use Saniderm (If Applicable): If your tattoo is covered with Saniderm, a waterproof bandage, it can stay on during your shower.
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Avoid Soaking: Do not soak your tattoo in pools or baths for 3-4 weeks. Submerging your new tattoo in water for any length of time is not recommended.
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Lukewarm Water Only: Avoid hot showers as they open your pores, causing ink to seep out and fade.
Woman smiling, showering with tattoos.Alt text: A woman with multiple visible tattoos smiles while showering, illustrating that showering with tattoos is possible with proper care, which can be found on tattooat.com.
If you have a plastic wrap instead of Saniderm, remove it and briefly rinse the tattooed area with lukewarm or cold water. Avoid direct water pressure; use your hand to gently splash water over the tattoo.
3. Does It Hurt to Shower After Getting a Tattoo?
Showering shouldn’t hurt if you use cool or lukewarm water and avoid direct water flow. Hot water can be painful and harmful as it opens the skin’s pores, leading to ink seepage and potential fading.
If you experience discomfort, it may be due to the water temperature or the pressure. Adjust accordingly to ensure a gentle, painless experience.
4. How Long After a Tattoo Can You Shower Normally?
If you have a Saniderm bandage, you can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo. However, if you have plastic wrap, wait 24 hours to remove it and shower. In both cases, use cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking for 3-4 weeks.
It’s essential to follow your tattoo artist’s specific instructions, as they know the details of your tattoo and your skin. According to Inked Magazine, tattoo artists suggest avoiding vigorous scrubbing or harsh soaps during the initial healing phase. Always prioritize gentle care to protect your new ink.
5. Can I Shower An Hour After Getting A Tattoo?
It’s not recommended to shower within one hour of getting a tattoo. Even with a Saniderm bandage, allowing the ink to settle for several hours is wise. Plastic wrap coverings often need to stay on longer than an hour.
Remember, a new tattoo is like a medical procedure, and the treated area is essentially an open wound. It needs time and care to heal properly.
6. Can You Shower With Saniderm On A Tattoo?
Yes, you can shower if your tattoo artist used Saniderm. This medical-grade, waterproof bandage is designed to stay on during showers. Still, avoid heavy water flow for sensitivity reasons.
Saniderm is a special aftercare product designed for medical settings like hospitals. It’s waterproof, allowing it to repel water rather than absorbing it. While showering with Saniderm, use lukewarm or cold water and gently rinse the tattoo area. Ensure the bandage is securely attached to your skin before exposing it to water pressure.
If your tattoo is covered with plastic or a non-Saniderm bandage, avoid getting it wet. A damp cloth on a fresh wound increases the risk of infection, especially in the early stages after getting your tattoo.
Close-up of a tattoo on a woman's arm protected by Saniderm.
Alt text: A close-up of a woman’s arm in a bathtub, showcasing a tattoo protected by Saniderm, indicating the bandage’s waterproof qualities, as recommended by tattooat.com.
7. How Long After A Tattoo Can You Take A Bath?
Avoid taking a bath and fully submerging your tattoo for 3-4 weeks. The larger the tattoo, the longer you should wait. Never submerge a new tattoo in water immediately after getting it.
Recovery depends on factors like the tattoo’s size and placement, and your immune system. If your tattoo isn’t fully healed, don’t soak it. You risk infection, illness, or disfiguration.
8. Activities to Avoid After Getting a Tattoo
Avoid these activities until your tattoo is fully healed:
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Taking a Bath: Soaking in the tub can expose your tattoo to bacteria.
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Swimming in Pools or at the Beach: Public swimming areas contain bacteria that can cause infection.
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Using a Sauna: Saunas harbor bacteria, and the moisture isn’t good for a healing wound.
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Drinking Alcohol: According to Portland State University’s Art Department, in July 2025, alcohol consumption can thin your blood, potentially affecting the ink’s settling process and delaying healing.
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Shaving: Wait 21-30 days before shaving the tattooed area to avoid irritation.
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Prolonged Sun Exposure: The sun can fade your tattoo and damage the skin.
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Getting a COVID Vaccine: Wait 30 days after getting a tattoo to get a COVID vaccine to minimize potential reactions.
A person avoiding swimming in a pool with a new tattoo.Alt text: A person consciously avoids swimming in a pool to protect their new tattoo, emphasizing the importance of avoiding submersion, as advised by tattooat.com.
9. How Long After A Tattoo Can You Swim?
Wait 3-4 weeks to swim after getting a tattoo. Swimming poses risks of irritation and bacterial infection due to chlorine or salt water. Submerging your tattoo can hinder the healing process.
A general rule is to keep your new tattoo away from pools, oceans, or baths for at least three weeks. Washing your tattoo with warm or cold water and mild, fragrance-free, antimicrobial soap is recommended for hygiene. Apply soap gently with your fingers and avoid loofahs and washcloths.
Prolonged submersion can lead to infection, ink leaching, fading, blurriness, itching, and scabbing, delaying healing.
10. Will Soaking A New Tattoo Fade It?
Yes, soaking your tattoo immediately after getting it can cause it to fade more quickly, along with causing infection, flaking, itching, and scabbing. After a month of healing, you can soak your new tattoo in a bath or swimming pool without causing the ink to fade.
Soaking your tattoo in water for an extended period can draw out the ink, resulting in a less vibrant appearance. Additionally, the risk of bacterial infection increases significantly when the skin is submerged for too long.
11. How Long After A Tattoo Can You Wash It With Soap?
While you can rinse your new tattoo within 3-4 hours, waiting 24 hours to gently wash it with hypoallergenic soap is best. Follow your tattoo artist’s instructions for when to apply soap. If you have a Saniderm bandage, you may keep it on for 3-4 days before removing it to wash with unscented antibacterial soap.
Avoid soaps with alcohol, as they dry out the skin and affect the ink. Use warm-to-cold water, hypoallergenic soap, and your fingers to clean your tattoo. Some ink coming out during the first week is normal.
Avoid abrasive materials like loofahs and washcloths, which prolong healing and may harbor harmful bacteria.
Various tattoo aftercare products, including hypoallergenic soap.
Alt text: A collection of tattoo aftercare products, prominently featuring hypoallergenic soap, as recommended by tattooat.com for gentle cleaning of new tattoos.
12. New Tattoos and Water: Key Takeaways
In summary, you can shower after getting a tattoo, but avoid prolonged submersion. Follow your tattoo artist’s instructions. If you have Saniderm, you can keep it on while showering.
If your tattoo is wrapped in a non-waterproof bandage, avoid getting it wet until you remove it. Once uncovered, rinse it gently with lukewarm or cold water and hypoallergenic antibacterial soap. Avoid abrasive soaps, loofahs, and hot showers. Allow your tattoo to fully heal for 3-4 weeks before swimming or taking a bath.
Gentle cleaning and avoiding submersion will keep your tattoo vibrant and prevent bacterial infection.
FAQ About Showering With A New Tattoo
Here are some frequently asked questions about showering with a new tattoo:
- Is it okay to use regular soap on my new tattoo?
No, use a mild, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic antibacterial soap to avoid irritation. - What happens if my tattoo gets too wet in the shower?
Pat it dry immediately with a clean paper towel. Avoid rubbing. - Can I use a washcloth to clean my tattoo?
No, washcloths can harbor bacteria and are too abrasive. Use your fingertips. - How often should I shower with a new tattoo?
Once a day is sufficient to keep the area clean. - Can I use a loofah on my new tattoo?
No, loofahs are too abrasive and can cause irritation. - What should I do if my tattoo starts to bleed after showering?
Apply gentle pressure with a clean, dry cloth. If bleeding persists, consult your tattoo artist or a healthcare professional. - Is it normal for my tattoo to peel after showering?
Yes, peeling is a normal part of the healing process. Do not pick at the peeling skin. - Can I use lotion after showering?
Yes, after gently patting the tattoo dry, apply a thin layer of fragrance-free, hypoallergenic lotion. - What if my Saniderm bandage starts to peel off during the shower?
If the bandage is still mostly intact, it’s okay. If it’s significantly peeling, remove it carefully and follow aftercare instructions for an uncovered tattoo. - Can I exercise after showering with a new tattoo?
Avoid excessive sweating and friction. Wear loose clothing and clean the tattoo immediately after exercising.
Find Inspiration and Expert Advice at tattooat.com
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