What is the best bandage for tattoos?

Author: Valerie Fahey  |  Last update: Monday, September 22, 2025

THE ORIGINAL TATTOO AFTERCARE BANDAGE – Saniderm's Original Gloss Bandage is the tried-and-true, industry-defining tattoo aftercare bandage. Dermatologist-recommended and trusted by expert tattoo artists worldwide, this medical-grade bandage ensures your tattoo heals quickly, safely, and more vibrantly.

What is the best bandage for a fresh tattoo?

Aftercare I will have likely given you a bandage called Saniderm. This bandage is a clear film with an adhesive on one side. It will act like a fake scab and keep your tattoo protected for up to 5 days. This is what hospitals use for burn victims and to secure IVs.

Is Saniderm or Tegaderm better for tattoos?

Try Tegaderm. I find it way better than Saniderm because it's thinner and more flexible. And they use different adhesives. I've always had issues with Saniderm but Tegaderm has always been fine.

What is the best dressing for tattoos?

Saniderm. Saniderm; the world's leading choice products for wound care and preservation of fresh tattoos – ensuring faster healing, brighter colours and darker blacks. For over 30 years, Saniderm products have been tried, tested and trusted by doctors, surgeons, and of course tattoo artists.

How long do I keep the Saniderm on my tattoo?

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).

Is SANIDERM the BEST PRODUCT to use on a NEW TATTOO? | Full 7 day Review

Do tattoos heal faster with Saniderm?

ACCELERATE THE TATTOO HEALING PROCESS – Saniderm tattoo care bandages help prevent scabbing, which means accelerated tattoo healing and less irritation. Less scabbing also means the risk of damaging your tattoo is greatly reduced.

Can you buy Saniderm at Walmart?

Saniderm tattoo bandage in 8″ x 8 yard roll Clear Adhesive Antibacterial bandage - Walmart.com.

Why do tattoo artist put Vaseline on before tattooing?

Why Use Vaseline Before Tattooing? Basic Lubrication: Vaseline, also known as petroleum jelly, is commonly used as a lubricant during tattoo sessions. It provides a basic level of lubrication, allowing the tattoo needle to glide smoothly over the skin and reducing friction.

What is the best thing to cover tattoos?

Arguably, the best makeup to cover tattoos is tattoo makeup—that is, makeup specifically formulated for tattoo coverage. That can be hard to find, though (not to mention pricey). If you don't have any tattoo makeup on hand, a color corrector, foundation, and concealer will get the job done, too.

What should I wrap my tattoo with?

When the tattoo is dry to the touch, cover it completely with a new piece of plastic wrap, using small pieces of tape as needed to hold it in place. Do NOT use any healing ointment or moisturizer. With this method, the tattoo is kept completely covered with plastic wrap 24 hours a day, usually for 48-72 hours.

Do tattoos heal faster with tegaderm?

Tegaderm is great for tattoos because it is low-maintenance and can reduce healing time. It is water-resistant, so you can shower with it on, but try to keep it out of the water as much as possible and keep soaps/body products away from it.

Does Saniderm pull ink?

Saniderm's adhesive will not attach to the weeping area (the oozy part) of a tattoo, therefore it can never damage or pull out ink.

What is the best thing to put on a new tattoo to help it heal?

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.

How many days to leave tegaderm on a tattoo?

Tegaderm (Saniderm)

Tegaderm is a sterile, breathable, waterproof, germ-proof barrier to protect your new tattoo. Leave the Tegaderm on for 5 days and do not lift, change, or remove it. Tegaderm will protect your tattoo from infection, abrasion, irritation and contamination while healing.

Can I shower with Saniderm?

When you use Saniderm to heal your tattoo, you will find the process much easier. While we don't recommend taking a bath or going swimming after applying your Saniderm, taking a shower isn't an issue. Saniderm is a medical-grade, waterproof bandage, that allows you to shower anytime.

What is the best dressing for a new tattoo?

Tegaderm is a sterile, breathable, waterproof, germ-proof barrier to protect your new tattoo. Tegaderm will protect your tattoo from contamination and will also protect your clothes and sheets from excess ink, blood and fluid that are the normal by-products of healing a tattoo.

How long to leave Saniderm on a tattoo?

“After you apply the first Saniderm bandage, we recommend leaving it on your new tattoo for between 8 to 24 hours. Everyone heals differently, and the length of time will vary depending on how much fluid your tattoo is weeping.

Is it better to keep tattoo covered or uncovered?

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.

Is Aquaphor good for tattoos?

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.

What to use to wipe away ink while tattooing?

Alcohol pads are great for quickly and easily wiping excess ink from your skin. They're also relatively inexpensive, which makes them a great option for those on a budget.

Why do tattoo artists dip needle in water?

You may notice your artist dip the needle in water during the session. This is called a dip cap which helps clean, blend, dry, or dilute ink. Artists do this for smoother ink flow and to reduce friction. This allows more precise and comfortable tattooing.

What is the best soap for tattoos?

Using Castile Soap for Tattoo Aftercare

No need for alarm as this is quite normal. What you're seeing is in fact excess fluid (plasma) and ink from the tattoo process. Using Dr. Bronner's Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap for tattoos is perfect for this step!

Is it better to use Saniderm or not?

Primarily, Saniderm drastically reduces the risk of contaminants entering the wound site of a fresh tattoo. Wearing Saniderm protects the area from unwanted shear/friction and allows the body to keep itself moisturized. Plus, it conveniently eliminates sessions of washing and applying aftercare to a new tattoo.

Is Tegaderm as good as Saniderm?

You should note that saniderm/Recovery-derm/ Tegaderm are all the same thing, just different brands. Wash your hands and remove the original saniderm slowly, THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE TATTOO WITH ANTIBACTERIAL, FRAGRANCE FREE SOAP.

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