how often to wash new tattoo
You should usually wash a new tattoo 2–3 times a day in the beginning, then taper down as it heals.
Quick Scoop
- First wash: Within a few hours of removing the bandage or film (often 2–12 hours after the tattoo, depending on what your artist told you).
- Days 1–3: Wash 2–3 times per day with lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance‑free (ideally antibacterial) liquid soap.
- Days 4–14: Keep washing 2 times per day, or 2–3 if you get sweaty/dirty (after the gym, dusty work, etc.).
- After scabbing/peeling slows: You can usually drop to once a day in the shower + keep it lightly moisturized.
- Total healing: Most tattoos settle in around 2–4 weeks on the surface (bigger or more detailed pieces can feel “healy” longer).
Think of it like this: keep it clean enough that sweat, dust, and plasma don’t sit on the skin, but not so washed or lotioned that it stays soggy.
Mini Guide: What “Wash 2–3 Times a Day” Really Means
1. When exactly to wash
- Morning: Clean off sweat, lint, and any dried plasma from the night.
- Evening: Rinse off the day’s sweat, pollution, and clothing friction.
- Extra times: After a workout, being outdoors in dust, getting very sweaty, or if something gross touches the tattoo (pet paws, dirty surfaces, etc.).
If your day is low‑activity (desk job, loose clean clothes, cool weather), many people do fine at the lower end of that range.
2. How to wash a new tattoo (step by step)
- Wash your hands thoroughly first.
- Use lukewarm (not hot) water on the tattoo.
- Apply a small amount of gentle, fragrance‑free soap with your fingertips, not a cloth or sponge.
- Gently glide over the tattoo for 10–20 seconds to remove plasma, ink residue, and surface bacteria.
- Rinse until all soap is gone; leftover soap can irritate and dry the skin.
- Pat dry with a clean paper towel or very clean, soft towel—don’t rub.
- After it’s fully dry, apply a very thin layer of a simple, fragrance‑free lotion or ointment if your artist recommends it.
Common advice from artists and aftercare guides: “paper‑thin” layer and “less is better” with ointment, to avoid clogging pores or making the tattoo soggy.
How Often to Wash New Tattoo: Different Phases
| Healing phase | Typical time frame | How often to wash | Moisturizing tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh & wrapped | First 2–12 hours (under bandage/film) | Do not wash until you remove the wrap, follow your artist’s timing. | No lotion yet, just leave the professional wrap on. | [10][5][3]
| First clean | Right after removing wrap | One gentle wash to remove plasma, extra ink, and ointment. | Dry fully, then apply a thin layer of recommended ointment or lotion. | [5][9][3]
| Early healing | Days 1–3 | 2–3 times per day, plus after sweating or getting dirty. | Very thin ointment or lotion 2–3×/day, don’t let it look wet or greasy. | [1][5][9]
| Scabbing & peeling | Days 4–14 (approx.) | 2 times per day, or 2–3 if your environment is dusty/sweaty. | Switch to a simple, fragrance‑free lotion; avoid heavy ointment on thick scabs. | [7][9][1][3]
| Late healing | After ~2 weeks until skin feels smooth | Usually once per day in the shower is enough. | Keep moisturizing lightly 1–3×/day to combat dryness and itch. | [7][9][3]
Why You Don’t Want to Over‑ or Under‑Wash
Under‑washing risks
- Sweat, dust, and bacteria can sit on the skin and raise infection risk.
- Dried plasma and gunk can form thicker scabs, which are more likely to crack or pull ink out if scratched or knocked.
Over‑washing risks
- Too many washes, especially with hot water or harsh soap, can dry out and irritate the skin.
- Over‑washing plus thick ointment can make the tattoo mushy and overly soft, which some artists warn may slow healing and blur delicate details.
A simple rule of thumb: if the tattoo looks angry, shiny‑wet, and constantly sticky, you may be doing too much washing or moisturizing; if it feels tight, flaky, and very itchy, you might need a touch more lotion but not more scrubbing.
Forum‑Style Reality Check (What People Actually Do)
You’ll see slightly different routines in forums, but most still sit around the 1–3 times per day range:
“First few days I do 1–2, after that I cut it to once. My skin is sensitive and while most people do 2–3 times a day, I find it more irritating.”
“After the initial dressing is removed, you should wash your tattoo about 2–3 times a day for the first two weeks… adjust based on your lifestyle.”
Common real‑world patterns:
- Desk job, clean environment:
- 1–2 washes/day often works fine, as long as you clean after any sweating or unexpected mess.
- Gym‑goer or outdoor worker:
- Aim for morning and night plus a wash after training or dusty work.
- Very sensitive skin:
- Some people drop to the lower end (1–2/day) to avoid extra irritation and let the skin settle.
Trending Tips & “Now” Context
Tattoo studios and newer blog guides published in the last few years lean toward gentle, consistent cleaning rather than complicated routines : clean hands, mild soap, thin lotion, and no harsh products.
You’ll also see more artists using high‑quality adhesive films (second‑skin style wraps), which can slightly change when you start washing (some keep it on up to 24 hours or more) but not the core idea of 2–3 cleans a day once it’s uncovered.
Whenever there’s a conflict between something you read online and what your artist wrote down for you, follow your artist—they’ve seen how their own ink and style heal on real clients.
Quick TL;DR
- Typical answer to “how often to wash new tattoo”: 2–3 times a day for the first couple of weeks , then usually once a day as it finishes healing.
- Wash more often if it gets sweaty or dirty; less often if you’re very clean, indoors, and your skin is getting irritated.
- Always: clean hands, gentle fragrance‑free soap, lukewarm water, pat dry, very thin moisturizer.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
