If you have enough sheets, put clean sheets on the bed every night. Use dark bedding instead of light-colored sheets since ink from your tattoo might stain the sheets.
If the bandage doesn’t have adhesive, use medical tape to secure the bandage around the tattoo. Ensure that you don’t apply tape to the tattoo, which would be painful to remove. Avoid wrapping the tattoo with plastic clingfilm because it traps sweat and bacteria against the tattoo.
Back, sleep on your belly. Side, lie on your opposite side. Chest, sleep on your back. Leg, raise your leg with a pillow or cushion.
You’ll also see the old skin scab and flake off, which can make the tattoo feel itchy.
Remember that your immune system is responding to the tattoo, so support it by eating nutritious foods as well.
To prevent the bottom fitted sheet from sticking to your tattoo, lay a clean towel or cloth under you before you go to sleep. Then, replace the towel or sheet if it sticks to you during the night. If the sheet is stuck to a tattoo that’s in a hard to reach place, such as on your back, get in the shower with the sheet stuck to you.
If you prefer, don’t wear pajamas if they cover your tattoo.
Add extra pillows under your head if you feel like you’re leaning too far back on the bed. Raising your knees with the pillows supports your lower back so it’s more comfortable.
If you’re still uncomfortable, buy a specialized stomach sleeper pillow or a face-down pillow that has a hole for you to lay your head in.
If it’s difficult for you to position the pillows, ask a friend to help.
You might find that your support pillows take up a lot of space and there isn’t as much room for your partner. If you have pets that get into bed with you, try to keep them out of your bed for the first few days after getting your tattoo. This will prevent animal dander and germs from getting into your new tattoo.
Consider cutting back on caffeine during the day so you have an easier time drifting off to sleep.
