Not so obvious \u2013 but cooler temperatures signal sleep (since night is always cooler). You can be cosy under the covers, but keep your room on the cooler side.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nKeep It Wrapped<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unless you need to clean the tattoo, keep it wrapped as your artist left it. The protection the wrap offers (whichever kind) is your best defense against any accidental bumps or scrapes. Which may not only hurt, but scrape off some ink in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, it\u2019s a good idea to clean and rewrap the tattoo for the first few nights. At least the first three nights, ideally up to the first 5: until the peeling stage is finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I know.. what a lovely name. The \u2018peeling\u2019 stage..<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nUse Clean & Sacrificial Sheets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve not got the tattoo wrapped (for whatever reason), or you just want to be extra safe, make sure you\u2019re using the right sheets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These should be two things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Clean<\/u>. <\/strong>Germs are your worst enemy right now. Make sure that any sheets are freshly washed and free of germs\/bacteria. Otherwise the skin around your latest tat may become an infection party.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A little ink spotting is normal from any new tattoo. Don\u2019t worry, it won\u2019t damage your tat quality, but it may damage your sheets.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
(Don\u2019t) Sleep On It<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It goes without saying that sleeping on your tattoo isn\u2019t a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is also one of the most challenging parts. How do you stop your sleeping self from messing this up?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWell, there\u2019s a few ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- First, figure out how you want to sleep. Think about what\u2019s comfortable for you, and what will avoid the tattoo getting damaged. From best to worst, sleep on your side, back, stomach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- This may sound silly, but practice getting into the new position during the day. Get into bed, lay in the position, close your eyes for a few minutes, then get back up. This helps \u2018reinforce\u2019 the position in your subconscious. Laying down like that for the first time then falling asleep won\u2019t last long.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- For extreme cases, make it uncomfortable to change positions. If you need to not<\/em> lay on your back, then tape a tennis ball onto the back of your pyjama top. It\u2019ll serve as a quick reminder not to lay down that way.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- For more detail, check out my guide on learning how to sleep in a better position. It\u2019s got plenty of tips for this kind of thing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Unstick With Warm Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sheets sticking to a tattoo happens to everyone \u2013 don\u2019t panic if it happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But don\u2019t just rip them off, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure to rinse the whole area under warm water, and let the sheets fall off themselves. Tearing them off might bring a bit of your new ink with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep Wipes Nearby<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A quick, worthwhile pickup is a set of tattoo wipes. These are cleaning and moisturizing wipes that are made to clean tattoos without risking any kind of damage to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s plenty options available online or from your artist. Use them as a replacement for full washes on the go, if you\u2019ve been particularly sweaty, or if you just need a quick clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep It Elevated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You may be surprised to hear that we all have a lot of blood inside us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s also a thing called gravity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Combine the two, and you have blood \u2018pooling\u2019 in areas like wrists, hands, feet, etc. This can cause swelling \u2013 which isn\u2019t ideal when your skin\u2019s just been attacked by a tattoo gun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try to sleep with your tattoo elevated. This just needs to be on a pillow or some other prop. If it\u2019s higher up than your heart then you\u2019re good.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t Touch The Good Stuff<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Beer. Wine. Bourbon. Cocktails\u2026 that\u2019s all on the naughty list now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alcohol can cause trouble for a new tattoo in a few ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- It\u2019ll mess with your sleep. <\/strong>Alcohol is a massive ruiner of rest. It may help you conk out, but your sleep quality is massively reduced. With sleeping being the best way to heal a new tattoo, this isn\u2019t ideal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It slows down your healing. <\/strong>At the same time as messing with your sleep, it also slows your body\u2019s ability to heal wounds down.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You\u2019ll make mistakes.<\/strong> You don\u2019t want to be \u201cthat guy\u201d at a party showing off their tat, forgetting to wrap or take care of it then crashing out on a dirty couch. If this art is going to last a lifetime, it deserves your protection for a week!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Be Selfish. Kick the Dog\/Cat\/Partner out.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As I said at the start, we need you to become a germophobe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What carries plenty of germs and bacteria around? Our beautiful pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While your tattoo heals, the bed needs to become a no-pet zone. Even during the day \u2013 unless you\u2019re going to put on clean sheets later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As much as they disagree with you, pets need to be out of the bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This can also be a fun excuse to kick your partner out, too!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile I\u2019m sure your loved one doesn\u2019t go around licking their own genitals (hey it\u2019s a free country), it\u2019s a given that sleeping alone is safer and often better quality sleep. Particularly if your partner snores or likes to move around a lot during the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s easy to forget that a tattoo is still just your skin. With added color or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keeping the area moisturized is the best way to aid healing, and more importantly, preventing itchiness. <\/u><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Itching can be a real nightmare depending on the tattoo. If you\u2019re suffering from scratch-fever, reach for the moisturizer (as well as the nail clipper).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ointment is King.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Since many people are skim readers, I wanted to end on an important one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If germs are the enemy, then ointment is your castle wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ointment acts as a protective layer on a clean tattoo, preventing it from much of the outside world. Aside from keeping things clean, keeping up your ointment should be a top priority in the days after getting inked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In general, reapply anytime you unwrap the tattoo \u2013 ideally after giving the area a clean too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u2018Wrap Up\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I hope this quick guide has given you a few ideas on how to sleep<\/a> with your new tattoo.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you only take away one thing, make sure that it\u2019s this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When sleeping with a new tattoo, germs are your biggest enemy. And wrap\/ointment is your best defense against them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nOutside of that \u2013 try not to overthink this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tattoos are sturdy things, it\u2019s not going to just rub off!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do what you can, but relax, too. The hard part\u2019s over \u2013 you have the tattoo! Now it\u2019s just about being patient until you can fully unwrap it and show it off to the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sleep well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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