is cling film (shrink wrap) suitable to put on tattoos?

Question

my tattoo artist insists on me putting cling film over my tattoo for 2-3 days,changing it throughout the day,he reckons it helps with healing and keeping the colour bright,what do you guys think?

Answer 1

no don't do it! it stops the tatoo from healing like it should. instead use a&d or neosporin.

Answer 2

well it depends how big ur tattoo is and where... I have 2, and I didn't put cling on after the one they put came off... I think they're telling you this so that it doesn't get irritated by clothing.

Don't expose it to sunlight, and don't keep touching it.. make sure ur clothes are soft cotton and don't rub against it...

People always have different methods of aftercare for a tattoo but I found the best way was to use nappy rash cream...my tattoo healed in less than 4weeks, and its still as bright as when I had it done (2yrs ago)...

Also, don't pick the scabs of colour, I did that with my 1st one- now I have to have it recoloured :(

Don't use vasilene, it doesn't actually do anything except lubricate the skin...

Hope this helps =)

Answer 3

When I got my tattoo done I covered it with an antiseptic ointment to stop it from getting infected, and covered it for 3 days, I used a large square of gauze and some medical tape but I don't see any reason why you can't use clingfilm instead, like Jody says covering it up keeps it from healing too quickly so you don't get scabs, so use the clingfilm but also some antiseptic cream as well.

Answer 4

no, dont do it! my friend did it and although there is nothing wrong with his tattoo now it was awful because the cling film stops the air getting to the tattoo and it made it go green and really gross looking and abit smelly. I have tattoos and i let the air get to mine but put savlon on it throughout the day to stop it drying out too qickly and never had any problems. my friend has since had another one but ditched the cling film this time!!

Answer 5

never cover a tattoo too long i tell everyone 5 to ten hours but i use meat pads it absorbs the blood and plasma to keep tattoo from scabbing and lets tattoo breathe cling wrap wont do that i would only use the cling wrap for a few hours

Answer 6

stops the scabs for forming so quickly so slows healing down, this is a good and a bad thing, I've always been told to keep it on just for the day to keep out dirt etc so it is less likely to get infected but leave it open to heal after that

Answer 7

With my tattooist he just put a piece of gauze on it with tape ver loosely because he wanted it to get air rather than get moist. The sooner it scabs the sooner it is healed. Just be sure NOT NOT NOT to pick the scabs because you want them to go away naturally so the ink stays true.

Answer 8

I have done it and my tattoo got SUPER infected ..but my husband does it and it heals perfect..be careful and keep an eye on it if it starts to get gooey or smell stop and wash it and dont reaply the saran wrap

Answer 9

I think it is used to protect the ink just after geting a tattoo but you can take it off after a few hours

Answer 10

im not sure but my brother in law has a massive black tattoo and he doesnt use cling film he just puts on lots of vassaline and it still looks in good condition
luv punky x

Answer 11

i have only ever kept it on for a few hours, it a wound so if you dont let air at it it wont heal very well. its good for keeping dirt etc out while its still bleeding but dont keep it on too long. and dont pick the scabs!