Sternum Tattoo Aftercare Guide: Cleaning, Healing, Infection Prevention

Getting a tattoo is an exciting experience, but caring for it properly during the healing process is critical. This is especially true for sternum tattoos, which can be prone to friction, infection, and fading if not cared for correctly.

So how do you properly care for a new sternum tattoo? The key is keeping it clean and moisturized during every stage of healing which lasts about 3-4 weeks. Avoid soaking in water, picking scabs, and watch carefully for signs of infection. If you care for your new chest tattoo correctly, you’ll have a smooth healing process with vibrant ink that lasts for years.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about sternum tattoo aftercare and healing including:

Sternum tattoo healing timeline
Step-by-step cleaning instructions
Signs of infection and how to prevent it
Each stage of the healing process
Tips to keep your tattoo looking vibrant

Sternum Tattoo Healing Timeline

Healing a tattoo is a lengthy process that happens in stages. For a sternum tattoo, you can expect:

Initial healing – Days 1-6. This is when your tattoo leaks ink and plasma. Scabbing begins to form. Don’t soak your tattoo during this time and avoid friction from tight clothes.

Peeling phase – Days 4-14. Your tattoo will start to peel and flake. Pieces of dead skin will fall off. Don’t pick them, as this can pull out the ink! Just allow them to naturally fall off and keep the area moisturized.

Itchy phase – Days 14-21. As your tattoo finishes peeling, the area may feel a bit tight and itchy. Fight the urge to scratch! This can cause scabs to fall off prematurely.

Final healing – Weeks 3-4. Near the very end, your tattoo will look a bit faded during the final healing. The color will return to normal once it fully heals.

So in total, you should expect the healing process to last around 3-4 weeks depending on your body. Now let’s get into the most important part: proper aftercare.

Sternum Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Caring for your new chest tattoo is critical during those first 3-4 weeks while it heals. Follow these tips:

Wash your hands thoroughly – Before touching your tattoo, wash your hands with antibacterial soap and water. Human hands carry bacteria which you don’t want getting into the open wounds.

Gently clean tattoo 2-3 times per day – Use a fragrance-free, anti-bacterial soap to gently clean the area. Neutrogena and Cetaphil make good options. Aim for 2-3 quick cleans per day during the first 2 weeks.

Pat dry and apply moisturizer – After washing, gently pat dry the area with a paper towel and apply a rice-sized amount of fragrance-free moisturizer. Many artists recommend Lubriderm, Aquaphor, or Redemption Tattoo Lubricant.

Avoid soaking for 2 weeks – Don’t soak your fresh sternum tattoo in the ocean, pools, hot tubs, or baths for at least 2 weeks during initial healing stage. Chemicals and bacteria in the water can cause major issues. Quick showers are fine.

Stick to this sternum tattoo aftercare routine for cleaning while avoiding friction and you’ll help the area heal smoothly and stay vibrant.

Did You Know? Over-cleansing tattoos can actually remove ink over time. Find the right balance between keeping it clean and not drying it out.

What Does an Infected Sternum Tattoo Look Like?

While less common with proper aftercare, sternum tattoo infections can happen. Symptoms include:

Redness, swelling, warmth lasting longer than 2 weeks
Green, yellow or foul-smelling discharge
Fever over 100°F
Intense pain and tenderness

Infections happen when colonies of bacteria build up inside the open wound before it seals. Seek medical treatment if you experience any infection symptoms beyond normal tattoo healing expectations.

How to Prevent Sternum Tattoo Infection

The best way to prevent sternum tattoo infections is to simply follow proper aftercare:

Keep the area clean and moisturized
Avoid soaking it or picking scabs
Go to a reputable tattoo shop using sterilized equipment
Carefully watch your skin for abnormal infection symptoms

If you experience signs of infection, see your doctor right away for antibiotic treatment. Catching it quickly leads to better outcomes.

Those are the basics for caring for, healing, and preventing infections with new sternum tattoos. Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what happens during the sternum tattoo healing stages.

Pro Tip: Apply a thin layer of Vaseline overhealed tattoos before going swimming. This creates a protective barrier against chemicals. Rinse off after!

What to Expect During the Chest Tattoo Healing Stages

Healing a tattoo happens in overlapping phases as discussed earlier. Here’s a close up look at what happens during each sternum tattoo healing stage:

Stage 1: Initial Healing Phase (Days 1-6)

The first week is when the most dramatic healing happens. Here’s what to expect:

Leakage – Fluid, plasma, excess ink will leak from the open wounds during the first few days. Don’t pick the scabs! Gently dab away leakage with paper towel.
Scabbing – Scabs form as the skin starts to seal itself. Expect thick scabbing around day 3-5. Resist picking!
Tenderness – Your fresh tattoo will be slightly tender, red, and swollen as the skin trauma heals.
No friction – Wear loose clothes to avoid rubbing the tattoo and causing trauma.
No soaking – Avoid long baths and swimming until scabs naturally fall off around week 2. Quick showers are okay.

Follow the aftercare tips outlined earlier like gentle washing, applying moisture, and avoiding friction and water. The first weeks are critical!

Stage 2: Peeling Phase (Days 4-14)

During the second week, your sternum tattoo shifts into the peeling phase:

Flaking skin – The thick scabs and damaged skin will start to flake off. Don’t help them along by picking the skin or you may pull out ink!
Increased itching – As new skin forms underneath, the area may start to feel itchy. Resist scratching as this causes scabs to fall off too early.
Fading – Your tattoo will appear cloudy and faded during this week as the old skin falls off. Moisturize it!

Keep moisturizing and gently cleaning your tattoo during this week. Those pesky flakes will fall off when ready to reveal vibrant ink and new skin underneath.

Stage 3: Itchy Phase (Days 14-21)

As the new skin finishes forming, your chest piece will likely feel tight and itchy:

Intense itching – The skin finishes regenerating and forms a protective outer layer. It may feel itchy and tight. Fight the urge to scratch!
Color returns – With the skin healed, the faded ink will become vibrant again. No new flakes should form.
Almost done! – Hang in there during the frustrating itchy weeks. The healing finishes soon.

Continue your sternum tattoo aftercare regimen. Only about 1 more week to go!

Stage 4: Final Healing Phase (Weeks 3-4)

The final healing phase is when everything settles into place:

Dull appearance – In month 1, your tattoo may still seem a bit cloudy and faded. This is normal as the skin tissue strengthens.
Color revival – Within 4 weeks, the vibrant colors will return to normal intensity as healing completes.
Healed! Your sternum tattoo is now fully healed! The skin has sealed and settled. Just keep moisturizing it well to preserve the colors.

And there you have it – everything you need to know about sternum tattoo aftercare from cleaning tips, what to expect during healing, and how to prevent infections from forming. Follow these aftercare instructions and you’ll have smooth healing and vibrant ink that lasts.

If you have any other sternum tattoo questions, ask your artist or consult your doctor. And show off your properly cared-for chest piece with pride! People will be amazed by how crisp it looks.

In conclusion,

while healing any tattoo that has some discomfort, focus on gently cleaning and moisturizing your sternum tattoo without over-washing or soaking it. This helps the area heal smoothly and avoids infections or touch-ups from poor care. Each healing phase brings different challenges – be diligent to end up with eye-catching ink.