No need to worry if your second skin is peeling off early - jump in the shower and warm water (never hot water straight after being tattooed) will relax and soften the adhesive, allowing you to remove it with ease.
If the 2nd skin comes off before your ready, don't reapply it, the area is now no longer sterile and you could trap new bacteria under the second skin, just start with your regular aftercare as below :)
You can take a saniderm off at any time without pulling skin off or damaging your tattoo, if it did that, artists wouldn't use them. You can take it off now or wait until tomorrow, it's up to you.
You're 100% okay. Leaving the Saran wrap on for that amount of time is just fine. The only reason they want you to take it off so soon is to let your skin get air and start to heal. Leaving the wrap on just protects it until you're ready to take care of if properly and wash it.
Most brands of second skin will recommend 24 hours for the first piece. Then remove and wash before applying a second piece. The second piece can stay on for 1-5 days depending on how comfortable you are with it.
SANIDERM AFTERCARE
Leave the Saniderm on for 3-5 days - do not leave it on for over 5. While the Saniderm is on: You do not need to do anything to the tattoo. You may notice excess ink pooling inside of the bandage - this is normal.
Provided the wearer does not have an allergy to adhesives, second skin is arguably the greatest game-changer in the tattoo industry, making the healing process faster, safer and more efficient!
Usually, you should remove your tattoo bandage after 3-4 hours. Carefully wash your new tattoo with a professional tattoo cleanser or mild antibacterial soap and lukewarm water. Pat it dry with a fresh paper towel. Always wash your hands before cleaning or touching any skin near the fresh tattoo.
SecondSkin is a semi-waterproof bandage so you can shower like normal during this time. It's alright if the SecondSkin gets wet but you cannot soak (no bathtubs, hot tubs, pools, etc.). Avoid hot showers and limit your time in them. Do not wash the SecondSkin when you are in the shower.
By using the body's natural repairing fluids to keep the wounded area in a hydrated state, Saniderm accelerates cell recovery and therefore heals your tattoo faster. Saniderm bandages are made from high-quality materials and are composed of three primary components.
Your first night sleeping, your artist might recommend you re-wrap the tattoo with plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap) to sleep without the tattoo sticking to your sheets. This is generally for larger or solid-color tattoos. If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight.
Alternatively, if the fluid that collected beneath your Saniderm has dried out or has become itchy or uncomfortable, it is perfectly okay to remove the bandage and begin washing/caring for your tattoo -- even if this happens before the 3-5 day mark!
Aftercare for normal healing without Second Skin:
Rinse well and pat dry with paper towel. Do not re-bandage. Apply a VERY THIN layer of Bepanthen or our aftercare ointment 2-3 times a day for 3 days. On the 4th day switch to a small amount of unscented hand lotion.
If your tattoo is bandaged with Saniderm (Second Skin), you should keep the bandage on for 3-4 days. During this time, it is normal to see some fluid build up beneath the bandage. (If the bandage begins to leak, you must remove the bandage and follow the standard aftercare instructions listed below).
Excessive fluid will affect the adhesion of Saniderm. After 3-4 days, remove Saniderm under warm running water, such as a shower.
While you're wearing the second-skin, you might notice the surface underneath accumulating slight moisture, which can make the tattoo look blurry. This is plasma building up from your skin and pulling up micro fragments of ink – it's a completely normal part of the healing process.
It is okay if your Saniderm Bandage begins to peel off early. If this happens, remove the tattoo wrap and apply a new tattoo bandage as needed.
Second skin will typically stay on the tattooed area for up to ten days — depending on how you maintain it. But it's always better to follow expert advice on how long to keep second skin on a tattoo. It's a breathable bandage, which means air will still get to your tattoo.
You can pat the tattoo gently with a clean paper towel, but you must let the tattoo dry, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes after each cleaning. Any extra moisture trapped by immediately covering the tattoo is an invitation for bacteria to multiply.
To remove second skin from your tattoo, it is best to hop in the shower. We recommend using soap with warm water to peel it off. The soap you use should be a non-colored, non-perfumed, anti-bacterial soap.
Applying a second skin to a new tattoo often leads to common problems like wrinkles, peeling, and incorrect coverage, which can affect how well your tattoo heals. If not done right, the dressing might not protect the tattoo properly, or it could trap too much moisture, leading to irritation or even infection.
During a rigorous workout, you may notice sweat accumulating beneath the SecondSkin bandage. While SecondSkin is breathable, it's not designed to wick away a large amount of sweat, which can create an environment conducive to bacterial growth.