“Can you shower after getting a tattoo?” is one of the most commonly asked questions regarding tattoo aftercare. And the great news is that the simple answer is “yes.” However, some precautions are required.
Anybody thinking about getting a tattoo in 2025 can use this guide to answer key questions like “How and when can you shower after a tattoo?”.
Does It Hurt to Shower After Getting a Tattoo?
Taking a shower after getting a tattoo may bring some discomfort, while the severity of symptoms may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as the size and location of the tattoo.
Likewise, individual pain tolerance may vary greatly from one person to the next. The pain scale shows that discomfort is at its highest in places with lots of nerve endings.
Regardless of the location, individuals may experience the following symptoms:
- Stinging,
- Itching,
- Additional swelling,
- Burning.
With precautions, such as delaying showers for a suitable length of time, pain can be avoided.
How Soon After A Tattoo Can You Take A Shower?
While the answer to “Can you shower after a tattoo?” is “yes”, individuals should refrain from jumping in the shower immediately after getting inked. Ink should be allowed to settle for at least four hours before getting wet.
However, the type of bandage used will influence the timeframe.
Plastic or Regular Bandage
A tattoo artist may opt for different bandages depending on the nature of the tattoo. Plastic and regular bandages are the most common choices. For a regular bandage, users should wait at least four hours but ideally at least six.
However, if a tattoo is wrapped in a plastic bandage, this should be extended to 24 hours. Anyone getting a tattoo is advised to discuss their concerns with their tattoo artist for confirmation.
Waterproof or Medical-Grade Bandage
Waterproof and medical-grade bandages like Saniderm can reduce the timeframes. It is often safe to shower with this type of bandage within three hours.
However, these types of bandages are designed to remain on the skin during the showering process, while keeping the inked area away from the flow of the showerhead is also highly advised.
9 Tips On Taking a Shower After Getting a New Tattoo
It’s not enough to ask, “When can you shower after a tattoo?” and everyone should appreciate the best tactics.
1. Treat Your New Tattoo Like an Open Wound
Tattoos are completed by putting ink into the skin with a needle. So this creates lots of tiny wounds that leave the general area in a very sensitive position. As a general rule, any task that would be avoided when letting an open wound heal should also be avoided with the tattoo.
2. Rinse with Cool or Lukewarm Water
Throughout the first few days after getting a tattoo, shower temperatures should remain no higher than lukewarm. Hot water irritates the skin, not least because it can cause it to try out. Moreover, the burning-like sensation can be very painful in those initial days of healing.
3. Opt for Gentle, Fragrance-free Soaps
The first shower should focus solely on using water. After 24 hours, though, it is possible to start using soap. However, anyone with a new tattoo - finished or incomplete - should stick to hypoallergenic soap for the first five days before moving on to fragrance-free solutions.
4. Take Short Showers
Prolonged water exposure may cause repercussions for tattoos, even if the shower is kept at a suitable temperature. Most people are advised to keep their showers no longer than 5-10 minutes until the area is fully healed. For the first few days, five minutes is the smarter option.
5. Don't Submerge Your Tattoo in Water
Submerging the tattoo in a bath, swimming pool, or lake is one of the worst things anyone could do following a tattoo. Individuals must wait at least 3-4 weeks before incorporating these tasks back into their schedule. Otherwise, infections and discoloration may occur.
6. Refrain from Shaving the Tattooed Area
Shaving causes skin irritation at the best of times. Therefore, shaving the tattooed area in the first few weeks of recovery is a no-go. It is far better to let the hair temporarily impact the appearance than to cause permanent damage as a result of itching a shaved space.
7. Use a Paper Towel
Drying the tattooed area after a shower is another important step. Switching to a paper towel and dabbing the area dry is better than a regular towel, which may have dirt from previous usage or cause irritation as a result of harsh fabric fibers.
8. Apply Moisturizer once it's Completely Dry
While drying is important, anyone with a tattoo must also apply moisturizer. Keeping the skin hydrated speeds up the healing process. It also prevents irritation and itchiness caused by dry skin. Anyone using moisturizer must also ensure that it soaks in before putting on clothes.
9. Consider Using a Shower Filter
When looking to improve the showering settings, people can consider adding a shower filter for an extra layer of protection. Clearer water will cause less irritation and remove the threat of infection due to bacteria. In truth, it can make the experience more comfortable, too.
Are There Any Benefits of Using a Showerhead Filter After Getting a Tattoo?
When asking, “Can you shower after a tattoo?” most users actively want to find the safest and most comfortable aftercare strategy. A showerhead filter can be one of the smartest investments after getting a tattoo.
Here are the main benefits it can offer.
1. Reducing Chlorine Exposure
Chlorine exposure can cause irritation and infection. Worse still, it may lead to tattoo fading and discoloration. A filter will take chlorine out of the home water supply, which improves the overall showering experience while also protecting the tattooed area.
2. Preventing Skin Irritation
A filter also reduces other harmful bacteria found in home water supplies. When the water is pure, skin irritation is reduced for the skin around the tattoo - as well as any wounds. Without irritation, symptoms like itching and swelling are less likely.
3. Promoting Healing
Clean water additionally supports the overall healing process as the body doesn’t have to fight harmful bacteria, especially when the water isn’t too hot. A quicker healing process will allow the individual to return to baths, scented soaps, and daily activities far sooner.
What Not To Do When Showering After a Tattoo?
Asking, “Can you take a shower after a tattoo?” should be followed with research into the bad habits that must be avoided. The three key issues to consider are as follows:
1. Direct Water Pressure
High water pressure from directing the shower head straight at the tattoo can cause significant irritation. Poor water quality could also introduce harmful bacteria to the area. In addition to damaging the tattoo, there is a risk that exposure to direct water pressure will lead to an Emergency Room visit.
2. Soaking The Tattoo
After getting a tattoo, it is advised to avoid having a bath or fully submerging the area for at least 3-4 weeks. So, when showering, it is important to avoid soaking the tattoo throughout this period. Otherwise, the wound could become infected, while the tattoo itself may become compromised.
3. Scratching or Picking
Scratching and picking at a tattoo before it has fully healed is just as problematic as picking a wound. Aside from causing pain and potentially increasing the threat of infection, it will delay the healing process. Worst still, some individuals who scratch their tattoos may cause fading in certain areas.
How Long After a Tattoo Can You Wash It With Soap?
Another big dilemma surrounding tattoo aftercare relates to washing with soap. The exact time frames may vary slightly depending on the tattoo’s size and location.
Generally, though, the following timeline will offer accurate results;
- Day one: shower with lukewarm water only (after the right rest period).
- Day two: shower with hypoallergenic soap. Do not use a Saniderm bandage.
- Day five: shower with unscented antibacterial soap.
Nobody should return to showering with standard scented soaps until the wound is fully healed.
Will Soaking a New Tattoo Fade It?
Soaking a new tattoo doesn’t only increase the risk of infection and scabbing. It may also lead to quicker fading of the ink while also delaying the color saturation process. Even when a person doesn’t notice the impacts right away, the long-term visual damage can be huge.
Experts at This Makes Tattoo explain: “Submerging a fresh tattoo, as it remains an open wound during the initial healing period, can lead to premature scabbing, peeling, and an overall compromised appearance.”
Take Better Care When Showering with a New Tattoo
Anyone asking, “Can you shower after a tattoo?” will be pleased with the core answer. However, all new tattoo owners must act with caution. Avoiding damaging habits like soaking the tattoo, showering too quickly, or directing water directly to the area will aid the healing process.
Meanwhile, additions like a shower head filter can make a big difference, too. Check out the AquaBliss shower filter page to take your tattoo aftercare to the next level.
