Wash your hands and remove the original saniderm slowly, THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE TATTOO WITH ANTIBACTERIAL, FRAGRANCE FREE SOAP. (This step is crucial as any bacteria left on the tattoo will be trapped underneath the new application of saniderm, possibly causing infection.)
A few tattoo artists swear by Saniderm but more have discontinued its use, due to the high frequency of allergic reaction to the adhesive used. That allergy can further irritate the tattoo. Any covering left on too long can cause muddying of the tattoo, from a saniderm patch to Saran Wrap.
Infections are caused by BACTERIA. The Saniderm only comes into play if the tattoo artist does not clean or client taints the area and then traps the bacteria beneath the Saniderm. Otherwise, Saniderm should be left on for a minimum of three days. It should not leak.
Its completely normal and is just indicative of your body reabsorbing all of the blood/plasma/ink that the saniderm was previously harboring. When taking it off, you should run it under warm water (not too hot but you can go pretty warm) like a shower and peel very carefully and slowly.
You do not want to leave the build up for more than one day. Remove Saniderm when there is build up, clean and dry the tattooed area and re-apply.
Plasma is a yellowish-clear fluid that is a natural part of your body's healing process and helps regenerate your tattooed skin. Pus, on the other hand, is thicker and has increased redness around the tattoo, swelling, pain, and a foul odor. These are a sign of infection.
Saniderm bandages are durable enough to maintain a regular, light exercise routine without compromising your new tattoo. However, increased perspiration, prolonged movement, or excessive friction in or around the tattooed area could weaken the bandage's adhesion, potentially compromising its seal.
If you develop a rash, skin irritation, or other signs of an allergic reaction, immediately remove your Saniderm and wash the area with mild soap, then immediately discontinue the use.
If there are bubbles, work them out of the Saniderm. While wearing SANIDERM you CAN go swimming, hot tub, and bathe like normal. You may notice the corners peel up a bit.
Can you leave a Saniderm bandage on for too long? Yes, you can leave a Saniderm bandage on for too long. In fact, this is not recommended because your tattoo may not receive enough oxygen to properly heal and can become infected.
Saniderm is a self adhesive, breathable, waterproof clear dressing and is the leading form of aftercare when it comes to tattoo healing. It is quickly becoming the industry standard and has been known to help speed up healing by up to 60%.
However, the cells in your plasma are only viable for about 24 hours. Once these cells begin “dying” or losing viability (one reason why we recommend removing the first Saniderm bandage and reapplying a new one after the first 24 hours) they can start to cause the wound site to smell unpleasant.
Signs of a tattoo infection may appear across the entire tattoo or only within specific colors. They can include: Bumps on your skin (papules) that sometimes contain pus (pustules). Nodules, bumps on or below your skin that are larger than papules.
If swelling, discomfort, or redness occurs on the skin outside of the tattoo (but under the bandage) you may be having an allergic reaction or adhesive sensitivity. When the symptoms are moderate to severe, remove the bandage and clean the area with a mild soap immediately.
* You cannot leave saniderm on your tattoo, if it is leaking. If bacteria can get out of your bandage, it can get in - leaving you susceptible to infection.
Saniderm is both latex free and hypoallergenic, so allergic reactions are very rare. However, some people may have sensitive skin or allergies to adhesives. If you do experience a rash, abnormal skin irritation, or other symptoms of an allergic reaction, discontinue use and wash with mild soap.
Everyone heals differently, and the length of time will vary depending on how much fluid your tattoo is weeping. When the adhesion of the Saniderm bandage begins to weaken, that's your cue to remove or replace the bandage.
Healing With Saniderm
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!
After 3-5 days, remove Saniderm while in the shower. You must peel the Saniderm in order for it to come off, you may want to peel slowly. * You can shower with Saniderm on * Step 2: Wash tattoo with lukewarm water and non-scented antibacterial soap, using only your hands, do not use any scrubbers or washcloths.
Its normal for your saniderm to fill with plasma, ink and blood. It typically creates a dark brown liquid that sits on your tattoo under the plastic. Leave it Alone. After a couple of days, the liquid will start to harden up under the saniderm.
This is when some ink or plasma (fluid) may come out of the tattoo and form a thin, moist coating on the skin. (Note: This typically can last anywhere from 24 hours to about a week or so. If it continues longer than a week, or if any excess oozing or redness occurs, consult with a doctor.)
Is It Better To Use Wet Healing Techniques for a Tattoo? Research suggests that wet healing is superior to dry healing for almost every kind of wound, including a tattoo. Dry skin has a hard time regenerating itself because it gets scabby and crusty and pulls away from itself (ouch).