We all know how annoying it is to accidentally scratch our tattoos in our sleep. What’s even more frustrating is when we don’t know how it happened. It’s not uncommon to accidentally scratch your tattoo while you sleep. It’s one of the most common ways people damage their tattoos.
But don’t worry, there are a few things you can do to heal your tattoo prevent further damage, and avoid accidentally scratching it again
In this blog post, we’ll explore this in depth. We’ll discuss how it can happen, how to avoid it, and what to do if it does happen. So, if you’re looking for ways to keep your tattoo safe, read on!
Will Accidentally Scratching a Tattoo in Sleep Ruin It?
It is unlikely that you’ll do any serious damage to your tattoo by accidentally scratching it in your sleep. However, it’s important to be gentle with your tattoo and to clean any scratches immediately to avoid infection.
When you get a tattoo, your skin undergoes pain which is no less than a small surgery. Your artist’s needle would stab your skin at least 3000 times per minute. So your tattoo is simply a wound until it gets healed completely.
Also read: Can I Slap My Tattoo if It Itches?
So, whether or not the tattoo is ruined depends on the damage caused by the scratching. If the damage caused by scratching is minor, the tattoo would take more time to heal but the chances of it ruining your tattoo are slim.
But if the damage caused by scratching results in continuous bleeding or leaking and oozing, that would be a bad sign, and you should talk to your doctor or show it to your tattoo artist.
What Happens if I Accidentally Scratched My Tattoo in My Sleep?
If you do happen to scratch your tattoo in your sleep, don’t panic. Chances are, it’s not as bad as you think. Most likely, you’ll just end up with a small scab that will heal along with the rest of your tattoo. Here are a few possibilities if you scratch your tattoo in your sleep:
The Sensitive Tattooed Skin Would Be Exposed
Due to scratching, the protective barrier which is made as a result of the process of scabbing would be damaged and the injured sensitive skin would be exposed.
Extended Healing Period
Since the protective barrier is damaged, the wound needs extra time to make it all over again and the body tends to start the scabbing process again. Due to this, the healing time of the tattoo would be delayed.
Infections Through Micro-organisms
When you scratch your tattoo, micro-organisms like bacteria and germs would enter your body through your nails. This would lead to several infections caused by microorganisms.
Potential Oozing and Leaking
As a result of scratching, the chance of oozing and leaking is high which would sometimes lead to the ruining of your tattoo. This would be quite uncomfortable and a bit difficult to bear.
Increasing the Overall Tattoo Cost
When your tattoo gets completely healed, it is necessary to get a touch-up from your tattoo artist to get an appropriate finish if the tattoo was damaged by scratching. So, the total tattoo cost would be increased due to the slight changes made by the tattoo artist.
Well, there is no need to go through all this trouble if you know how to properly look after the tattoo when you are sleeping. So, let’s see how you can do this.
How to Avoid Scratching Tattoos While Sleeping
Some people tend to scratch their tattoos in their sleep. This is a major problem for people who get tattoos for the first time.
Below are some tips that you can try out to avoid scratching your tattoo while sleeping.
- Before you go to sleep, use an ointment (like maybe Cerave or Carmex) that will reduce the itchiness of your tattoo. If the tattoo isn’t itching, the chances of you scratching it accidentally in your sleep are minimal, but there is still a chance.
- You can use a thick material to cover the tattoo before you go to bed. So if you scratch the tattoo in your sleep you will be scratching it and will lower any possible damage to the tattoo by a whole lot. However make sure to check if it lets air into the tattoo, otherwise it will slow down the healing process.
What Should You Do if You Scratched Your Tattoo While Sleeping?
If it ever happens, it is essential to first check if the scabs are removed or if the tattoo is just peeled off. Next,
- You should wash and clean the wounded area with slightly warm water and antibacterial soap. This will help you to get rid of bacterial infections.
- Apply a tattoo ointment that is approved by your doctor or tattoo artist. This will speed up the healing process and make you feel better.
After that, if your tattoo keeps healing naturally, that means no permanent damage has been done to your tattoo. But if it continues to bleed and increases the itchiness or If you see any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus, consult a doctor immediately.
Can You Mess up a Tattoo by Sleeping on It?
Messing up a tattoo by sleeping on it is very unlikely. But if you scratch the tattooed skin, the chances of your tattoo getting messed up is higher than sleeping on it.
Should I Cover My New Tattoo When I Sleep?
You can cover your tattoo when you are sleeping if you think there’s a possibility that you might scratch it in your sleep. Covering it will prevent you from scratching it but make sure to remove the cover as soon as you get up because your wound needs to be dried to make your healing process faster and easier.