Will Your Bra Ruin Your Tattoo? 6 Things You Should Know

New to the world of tattoos? If you’ve just got inked, you may be wondering how to make sure you look after your new artwork. Should your tattoo be in a place where your bra usually sits – such as your shoulder or chest area – there’s one question that’s sure to be on your mind.

Will your bra ruin your tattoo? Here’s what you should know:

1.  Tattoos need to breathe

The first thing that you need to know is that tattoos need to breathe. The fact of the matter is that these are essentially open wounds. Covering them up with clothing and, in particular, bras could mean that they get infected or start to get a little gunky. That’s the last thing that you want.

For the first week or so, you need to give your tattoo as much air as possible. That means leaving it uncovered for the majority of the day. You should also apply the aftercare gel or cream at regular intervals as well as keeping the tattoo clean.

2.  They also tend to scab up

As we’ve already mentioned, tattoos are essentially wounds. That means that the chances of your tattoo scabbing during the healing process is quite high. In fact, it’s pretty normal. The problem with wearing a bra that is directly on the skin (where you have the tattoo!) is that it could rub these scabs and even knock them off. It might sound a little gross, but it’s true!

Any good tattoo artist will warn you against picking the scabs as it can ruin the design. Don’t let your bra straps do that for you or you could regret it!

3.  Bra straps may irritate the skin

Of course, there’s something else that you absolutely have to consider here. That is, the fact that your bra straps will likely irritate your skin. In the days, and sometimes even weeks, after you have a tattoo, you will find that the skin is extremely fragile and tender.

That’s natural and it’s all part of the healing process so you needn’t worry. However, should you find that the straps are causing you pain along the way, you need to do something about it sooner rather than later.

4.  Or cause damage to the tattoo

So, will your bra ruin your tattoo? Well, the short answer is maybe. If you don’t take proper care of your tattoo or fail to look after your skin, you could find that you are at risk. Tight clothing and bras could hinder the healing process of the tattoo which, in turn, may mean that it ends up healing in a weird way.

You could find that the design doesn’t look the same as you imagine because some of it has been altered. If that’s the case, there’s nothing you can do about it later on. The best way forward is to be conscious of the clothes you wear.

5.  You can wear some bra designs

Worried about wearing a bra? Of course, all of the above doesn’t by any stretch of the imagination mean that you can’t wear one. Quite the opposite. You simply need to make sure that you wear the right type of bra so that you don’t hinder the tattoo.

For example, if you have a tattoo on your shoulder, where your bra strap would usually sit, you may find that it’s uncomfortable. In that case, you may find that trying out a racerback bra is the way to go. Alternately, you could get a strapless bra, which will be easier to slip on and skips the straps altogether.

6.  Cleanliness is absolutely crucial

The last thing that you need to remember is that you should keep all of your clothes as clean as possible. When you’ve just had a tattoo, you’re at a high risk of getting an infection. This includes washing your bras regularly.

Now that you know the details, you should be a pro when it comes to tattoo aftercare. The fact of the matter is that you can still wear a bra when you’ve had a tattoo, you simply need to take care when choosing which one is right for you. Easy!

We Highly Recommend

Whether you’re shopping for new everyday bras or lingerie for a special occasion, it’s always a good idea to seek out a second opinion. We know how hard it is to find bras that fit well and feel good, especially when you’re doing it on your own. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your bra size or you just don’t know where to go to find good bras, it’s time to let a bra fitter help.

Many specialty lingerie boutiques offer bra fittings. Their expert bra fitters will take the pain and frustration out of bra shopping and do all the work for you. Even better, their product knowledge can save you time and money. Plus, they know where all of the best bras are hiding.

If you’ve struggled with finding bras in the right size, it’s time to make a change. Visit our specialty store locator to find a store near you and schedule an appointment.

Happy bra shopping!