How Long Before I Can Remove the Bandage/Wrap?
Naturally, most people want to remove the bandage to show off their new tattoo right away. But you want to wait at least a few hours. Principally, this is to allow the traumatized skin to heal and the "oozing" (lymphatic fluid and blood) to stop flowing. These fluids may drain and collect in the bandage for an hour or more on a fresh tattoo.
After 4-6 hours feel free to remove the bandage/plastic wrap -- do not leave the plastic wrap on more than 8 hours! Once you have removed the dressing, clean your new tattoo well with a mild, non-abrasive soap and warm water. DO NOT SCRUB -- but your Tattoo is not as delicate as you might think either. Clean it well -- massage and remove the excess ink and dried fluid and be sure to remove the residue of any Vaseline, Neosporin or other ointment that may have been applied. If your tattoo is large or in a difficult location on the body, removing the plastic film-wrap can be more easily done by letting it loosen and slip-off while taking a shower.
CAUTION: If you are exposing your Tattoo in the shower, do not let the full force of the shower spray directly onto the newly tattooed skin. Let the shower spray run indirectly over your body to wash the tattoo; you will also find that a lukewarm shower is more comfortable and will not "sting" your new tattoo. Hot water (and STEAM) opens the skin's pores and can cause greater loss of pigment during the healing process.
HINT (Old Yakuza Secret!): After you have cleaned your tattoo and before stepping out of the shower, turn the temperature to ice-cold and let the water run indirectly over your new tattoo for 30 to 45 seconds -- this closes the pores and prevents further drainage and in our personal experience feel generally results in better healing, and for a color tattoo, retention of color pigment. Then gently pat the tattooed area dry.
NOTE: Do not leave the bandage on TOO LONG! Keeping freshly tattooed skin wrapped tight for more than 8 hours frequently can lead to skin rashes (localized bacterial infections) and cause your tattoo to break-out and be "pimply" -- the dressing should protect the tattoo only while the natural body fluids drain, then exposure to air is needed for your skin to heal properly. Remember, the purpose of the dressing is principally to collect the seepage of body fluids in the first couple of hours after the tattoo has been completed. Unless you are engaged in work where there is a great likelihood that dirt, grease and other contaminants may come in direct contact with your new tattoo, it is not necessary to re-bandage it. If you do have that type of potential exposure, it is better to cover your tattoo with loose-fitting, protective clothing, rather than a new dressing.