Aftercare for normal healing without Second Skin: After removing the bandage, clean tattoo gently with unscented soap and warm water. 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.
While adhesive bandages like SecondSkin are generally ideal for wet healing, hydrocolloid dressings and silicone gel sheets also support this method.
Some people are allergic to the adhesive on second skins and prefer not to use it. Also, if I'm tattooing a very large area or a tattoo that has very heavy black areas in it, I will sometimes opt not to use second skin on you. I will spray your tattoo down with a first aid spray and then wrap it in saran wrap.
If anything gets in or out of that second skin take it off and do normal after care. Clean/moisturize. If it's still completely sealed I usually leave mine on anywheres from 3-5 days.
Aftercare for normal healing without Second Skin:
Leave bandage on for a minimum of 3 hours. After removing the bandage, clean tattoo gently with unscented soap and warm water. Rinse well and pat dry with paper towel. Do not re-bandage.
Eucerin Aquaphor's gentle and non-irritating formula helps to alleviate discomfort, itchiness, and redness associated with brand new tattoos. By providing a soothing and calming effect, it allows the skin to heal undisturbed, promoting a smoother and more comfortable recovery.
There are many benefits to second skin. The major benefit being, it allows your body's own plasma to help heal the tattoo. Once you remove the second skin, your tattoo will be further along on the healing process. To remove second skin from your tattoo, it is best to hop in the shower.
If fluid continues to build up in significant amounts after the second application, you may remove and reapply a film once more. As mentioned, the second skin is waterproof so you can shower without worrying about your tattoo.
Your sign to stop using Saniderm bandages is when the tattoo starts scabbing and the skin starts flaking off. At this point, you'll want to keep your tattoo moisturized with a healing balm but let it go free so the flaking skin and scabs can do their thang.
You may experience some redness around the tattoo where SecondSkin™ was applied to the un-tattooed skin.
How Often Should I Moisturize a New Tattoo? According to tattoo artists and skincare experts, you should moisturize a new tattoo three times a day. While this might seem excessive, it's important to remember that your skin is still healing and will be very tender from the process.
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.
While a new tattoo can push out ink, along with blood and plasma, it typically does no harm and doesn't lead to a tattoo blowout. This leaking typically lasts no more than 48 hours. However, bruising from a new tattoo can make it look a little blurred or smudged as it goes through the healing process.
Delicate Skin Areas
Certain areas of the body, like wrists, ankles, fingers, and toes, are more prone to blowouts due to their thin skin. Aging skin as well as clients with skin trauma/more delicate skin, can also increase the risk of a blowout.
While laser is definitely the best method of removing tattoo ink, certain pigments used in cosmetic tattoos don't respond well to laser treatment. The ingredients in these pigments can be very different from those used in conventional ink, and laser treatment could change the color of some rather than lightening them.
We recommend Aquaphor as the healing ointment for your tattoo. Apply a small amount to the tattoo, and rub it in thoroughly, as if you were applying lotion. It should not shine or feel sticky! If it does, you are using too much ointment!
If you want the best care for your new tattoo, there are far better options than Aquaphor. The semi-occlusive layer suffocates your new ink, slowing the recovery process. And though it's a highly refined version of petroleum oil, it's understandable that you wouldn't want that anywhere near your healing skin.
Carefully wash your tattoo area three times a day with soap and water, and gently pat it dry. Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean your tattoo to keep it moist. After 5 days, you can switch from an antibiotic ointment to a gentle fragrance-free body lotion.
The Final Takeaway. Because of its moisturizing properties and vitamins that are good for your skin, coconut oil is ultimately more than safe to apply to your tattoo. It's a natural, inexpensive way to heal your tattoo and keep it looking healthy and vibrant for years to come.