HEALING WITH SECOND SKIN/SANIDERM

Keep your bandage on for 3-4 days and avoid sun exposure.

Your bandage is waterproof. However, I highly encourage you to avoid swimming, baths, saunas, hot yoga, etc. altogether until your tattoo is fully healed. Anything where your tattoo could be extremely sweaty and/or exposed to soaking is not recommended while you heal.

REMOVING THE BANDAGE

  • It is best to remove your bandage in the shower, the warm water will help release some of the adhesive and make the bandage easier to pull off. Lift and STRETCH the bandage at an angle and taut to avoid any painful pulling, similar to a Command Strip being taken off of a wall.

  • Once your bandage is removed, you do NOT need to re-bandage it, cover it, put ointment on it, etc. You should still be diligent about keeping it clean for the next few weeks, 1-2x per day will suffice or directly after working out/coming in contact with any sort of potential bacteria. Use regular lotion to moisturize 1-2x per day to aid in healing and ease itchy/flaking. You SHOULD ALWAYS apply sunscreen to your tattoo (and entire body) if and when you will be exposed to sunny weather.

SIGNS THAT YOU NEED TO REMOVE YOUR BANDAGE BEFORE THE 3-4 DAY MARK

  • If your bandage begins to roll up from the edges and your tattoo is exposed.

  • If your bandage creates a “bubble” of blood and plasma that then begins to leak, causing your tattoo to be exposed. Note: Those bubbles are okay, as long as they are not ruptured.

  • If your surrounding skin is starting to appear red or itchy where the adhesive could possibly be causing an allergic reaction.

TRADITIONAL HEALING/PLASTIC WRAP

Make sure to keep your bandage on for at least 2-3 hours after you leave the shop, especially if you are not resting at home.

I highly encourage you to avoid sun exposure, bacteria exposures, swimming, baths, saunas, hot yoga, etc. altogether until your tattoo is fully healed (about 3 weeks). Anything where your tattoo could be extremely sweaty and/or exposed to soaking or sun is not recommended while you heal.

REMOVING THE BANDAGE

  • First, make sure your hands are clean when taking off your bandage. Use mild antibacterial soap to gently wash your tattoo (I recommend Dr. Bronners scentless body wash). Stay away from soaps with harsh dyes or perfumes.

  • Allow water to gently cascade over your tattoo. Use your clean hands to gently move the soap around your tattoo to remove any blood, plasma, and ink. Do not use washcloths or loofahs, they carry bacteria. You may dry your tattoo by patting it with a clean paper towel or allowing it to air dry.

  • I recommend placing a new bandage of plastic wrap around your tattoo for your first night of sleep. This will ensure that you don’t stick to your bedding and no human/animal hair or bacteria is exposed to your tattoo. Make sure you follow the steps above to wash prior to placing a new bandage on. Apply a very thin layer of Aquaphor or Hustle Butter on your tattoo prior to rewrapping.

  • DO NOT rewrap your tattoo after that first day/evening.

DAY 1-3

  • The first couple of days you may notice redness and tenderness. This is normal. Clean your tattoo and use Aquaphor/Hustle Butter twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. You don’t want to keep your tattoo overly moisturized. Use clean hands to apply a very thin layer of Aquaphor/Hustle Butter over your tattoo. Allow it to dry a bit prior to getting dressed to avoid sticking to your clothing.

  • DO NOT use vaseline, neosporin, or any other ointment on your tattoo. They can inhibit oxygen from accessing your tattoo, suffocating it, and interrupting the healing process.

DAY 4-5

  • After the first few days you may switch from Aquaphor/Hustle Butter to regular lotion - again, stay away from harsh perfumes. Coconut oil and shea butter are also great options.

  • You may start to notice some flaking - this is normal. The lotion will help ease the itching caused by flaking and healing. While scabbing is rare and usually small, if it does happen, DO NOT scratch or pick, this will cause ink to be pulled from the healing tattoo and can lead to scarring.


    WHAT TO AVOID

  • You’ll want to avoid soaking in any water for the next 2-3 weeks, especially beaches, ponds, lakes, oceans, etc. This may lead to SERIOUS infection.

  • Avoid any abrasives/exfoliation on your skin.

  • You’ll want to avoid exposing your tattoo to sunlight. You do NOT want a sunburn on a new tattoo. This can cause damage to your skin and, ultimately, be detrimental to the healing process of your tattoo.

  • Avoid excessive sweating when possible - if you go to the gym, make sure your tattoo isn’t making contact with gym equipment. Light cotton clothing covering your tattoo and creating a barrier should suffice.

  • Avoid shaving over your tattoo until it is fully healed.

SIGNS OF INFECTION

If at ANY time you are concerned about infection, seek medical attention immediately.

  • Fever

  • Fever and/or chills

  • The tattoo is hot to the touch and/or radiates heat

  • Redness is not going away after the first 3-4 days

  • Redness is increasing in size

  • Puss and swelling

  • Red lesions

WHEN IS MY TATTOO FULLY HEALED?

A tattoo is fully healed at around the 3-4 week mark after your last tattoo appointment. To keep it looking nice and bright, practice your regular skincare routine, apply your choice of moisturizer or lotion, and always always always apply sunscreen to your tattoos!