Proper aftercare for a back tattoo varies depending on size, location, and skin type. Larger tattoos that require several sessions to complete often hurt more and take longer to heal. Fresh ink on areas like the love handles, upper back, or lower neck may cause more discomfort compared to the shoulder blades.
Regardless of the size or where it is, tailored aftercare is essential to manage hurt and ensure healing. Every back tattoo needs specific care to maintain its quality over time.
How do you take care of your back tattoo ?-The Answer
[su_note note_color=”#D3D3D3″ radius=”6″]To care for your back tattoo, avoid sunlight, swimming, and dirty clothes to protect it from bacteria and infection. Use antibacterial, fragrance-free soap, avoiding harsh or moisturizing soaps. If reaching is difficult, use plastic wrap in the shower to clean. Rinse with a damp paper towel. Clean the tattoo twice daily, morning and night, to ensure proper healing.[/su_note]
How do you take care of a tattoo on your back?
The essentials
To ensure your new ink heals well, protect the tattoo from bacteria by avoiding sunlight, swimming, and dirty clothes. Monitor the wound for signs of infection and keep the area clean. Proper care will keep your tattoo beautiful and healthy.
How to clean a back tattoo
For effective cleaning of your new back tattoo, use antibacterial, fragrance-free soap. Avoid soaps with harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin or moisturizing soaps that scratch and harbor bacteria.
If accessing the tattoo on your back is difficult, tape plastic wrap to the shower wall, coat it with soap, and press against it using your body weight to clean without bending. Finally, remove any excess soap with a damp, disposable paper towel.
When to clean it?
To best care for your back tattoo, clean it twice per day: once when you wake up and again before you go to bed. This routine helps manage healing effectively, especially during sleeping hours.
How to moisturize a back tattoo
What to apply
For optimal back tattoo aftercare, choose a scent-free or fragrance-free lotion or moisturizer. These products help protect the skin, prevent infections, and maintain the tattoo’s vibrance. An excellent all-in-one solution is our Ink Balm, specifically designed for new ink, relieving pain and itchiness while moisturizing. Use it daily for the best results.
Why moisturizing is important
Moisturizing is vital for the tattoo healing process as it helps skin regenerate more quickly, reduces irritation, and creates an optimal environment for healing damaged skin. Contrary to outdated advice to let wounds dry out, keeping a tattoo moist prevents delays in healing and reduces the risk of bacterial infections that can ruin the tattoo.
When to moisturize
Apply lotion to your new tattoo as soon as it starts to dry out, usually within the first 1 to 3 days after your session. Moisturize 3-5 times a day for the first two weeks, being careful not to over-moisturize to avoid clogged pores and acne.
How to sleep with a back tattoo?
During the first couple of weeks after getting a back tattoo, it’s best to avoid sleeping on your back to prevent damaging the ink and reduce the risk of infections. Opt for sleeping on your side with a large body pillow or on your chest, using a flat pillow under your pelvis for support.
Ensure you sleep on clean sheets and wear loose-fitting clothing to let your skin breathe. If sheets get stuck to the tattoo, use warm water to gently separate them. Cover the tattoo with plastic wrap the first few nights to protect against bacteria and keep scabs secure.
What to wear while a back tattoo is healing?
After getting a back tattoo, opt for loose fitting clothing that lets your skin breathe, reducing the risk of infections. Women should avoid bras for the first few days to prevent scratching from bra straps. If needed, choose a clean sports bra with a low back strap to minimize contact with the tattoo. Remember, fresh ink and blood might stain your clothes and bra.
Don’t go swimming
Avoid pools, lakes, and oceans for the first few weeks after getting a back tattoo. These bodies of water are not sterile and can expose your healing skin to microbes, leading to infections. Chlorine and pool chemicals can damage the color and appearance of your tattoo.
Depending on the size and location, stay out of water for two to three months. For larger pieces, it’s recommended to fully avoid water as it’s nearly impossible to cover the entire area. If you must get wet, cover the tattoo area with a waterproof bandage and clean the area immediately afterwards.
Avoid the sun
Once your tattoo is done, wait a little bit longer before you show it off. To protect your healing skin, avoid the sun for the first 3-4 weeks after your session. Tattoos are open wounds and exposed to external elements, so even a few minutes of sun exposure can fade, crack, or blister the ink.
Wear loose fitting clothes and use broad-spectrum, fragrance-free sunscreen with at least 30-50 SPF for extra protection.
How long does a back tattoo take to heal?
Tattoos penetrate the first layer of the skin, and healing happens in several stages. The outer layer of skin typically heals in the first 2 to 3 weeks, while the second layer can take up to 6 months to fully recover.
Here’s what you can expect for the first few weeks:
Week 1
When you come home from your session, keep the area covered for the first couple hours. Your tattoo is an open wound, and your body treats it like one. You’ll notice symptoms similar to a scrape or cut, such as redness, inflammation, oozing blood or ink, and possibly a burning sensation.
Weeks 3 to 4
By weeks 3 and 4, the top layer of skin should be nearly healed. The area might dry out and become less itchy. A new layer of dry skin can make your tattoo look less vibrant, but the vibrance will return if treated properly.
If itchiness and redness are still present, your tattoo might be infected. See your doctor if these symptoms persist.
Months 2+
Your tattoo should look fully healed, but recovery continues under the surface. Keep up with aftercare habits like moisturizing, cleaning, and avoiding the sun or pool. If you notice fever, chills, severe itching, scarring, hives, oozing fluid, or prolonged redness, your tattoo might be infected.
See a doctor right away. Properly caring for a new tattoo includes proper cleaning, moisturizing, sleeping, and other daily habits to speed up the healing process and keep your skin and ink healthy.
Frequently Asked Question
Are back tattoos harder to heal?
When getting a back tattoo, you need to consider the time, cost, and aftercare involved. Back pieces are often more expensive and require multiple sessions to complete, making them more difficult to heal.
Can I wear jeans 3 days after a tattoo?
During the first two weeks of healing, it’s important to avoid wearing anything tight. Think of your new tattoo like a scrape or burn—you wouldn’t want clothing rubbing against it all day.
